Bought these tiny alium bulbs at tatton park flower show in 2003, and last year both varieties (sorry don't know name, haven't seen them in catalogues or anywhere since) looked beautiful with blue/purplish star/ball flower heads. left the flower heads on, and seed formed which i gave to a friend with a greenhouse to see if he could grow. (he's planning to start this year)

anyway these 10 alium bulbs are in a small plastic window box, and this year they don't appear to be doing anything. Yes the leaves came up as normal, infact theres lots of new bulblets formed around main bulbs, which could be issue as window box is small. But last year i'm sure the flower heads were nearly opened by now as the heat from the house meant they flowered early.

pretty sure i gave it some liquid feed after they flowered, but i'm wondering why they're not flowering this year. Do aliums repeat flower/ Do you have to take the flower heads off and stop seed forming, or is it size of window box?

I'm wondering whether i should just plant them in garden now or in autumn and hope they'll come back. Be surprised if the little bulblets never did anything

so any tips on getting aliums to repeat flower would be apprecaited, as the larger varieties in the front lawn are looking very healthy with fat flower heads increasing in size every day, but want to make sure they flower year after year

thanks for your help