I bought some Allium unifolium bulbs last autumn, and planted them in
a wide earthenware 'azalea pot' (a large half-pot, 12" wide x 6" deep)
in some 'general purpose' compost with added grit. They started to
appear quite early this year, but this early promise hasn't been
maintained. While a few of them are showing flower buds and look OK,
the foliage of most is turning a sickly yellow, collapsing and rotting
away, with no sign of flowers. The problem is worse on one side of the
pot than the other, but if anything, that side is more protected from
wind etc., and rainfall over the winter months has been about a
quarter of the long-term average. Coldest overnight temperature -3C.

Opinions please as to what is happening. Should they be in an acid
compost? Have they succumbed to white rot (if likely, what should I
look for to be certain and what's the procedure if they have)? Or is
this perfectly normal considering they're recently planted and will
they be better next year? I should add that other species of alliums,
bought at the same time, potted in the same compost and in identical
pots standing alongside these, are doing fine AFAICT.


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net