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Should I cut off my Globemaster heads now?

14 years ago

Hi! This is my first year with them [GlobeMaster allium] and they were ---Fantastic!--but now the heads are big and brown. Are they the seeds forming? Do I need to let them alone---or deadhead? If they are seeds and they drop in the garden will they form new Globemaster bulbs wherever they fall? That might be kind of neat.

Thanks ahead for any advice you can give me. :)

Aunt Lou

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Comments (9)

maozamom NE Ohio
14 years ago
I leave my allium seed heads because I enjoy the structure even when they're done blooming. Some people spray paint them but I have no problem with brown. I've never had Globemaster reseed but this year I plan to save seeds and wintersow a container. Purple Sensation bloomed after just two years.
Lauren_StL
14 years ago
I've grown globemaster and purple sensation. I did not cut the heads down last year (my first year for both) becuase I, too, like the structure. However, none of my 3 globemasters came back this year (bummer at $7 a pop) and I definitely lost some of the purple sensation. I'm thinking it may be because I allowed them to go to seed rather than save their energy for blooming the next year. Just my thoughts and experience...
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You mentioned a dog. While the main way to get poison ivy is by touching it, there are other ways. The most covert is the family dog. While he is out he gets the poison ivy oil on his fur. You call him he comes running, you put your arm around him pet him, and say good dog. This is exactly the way I got a bad case of poison ivy on the inside of my arm and side. Don't burn poison ivy. The warm air from the fire can carry the oil to the people surround the fire. Been there done that. Don't assume that because you no longer have the plant in the shovel, rake, wheelbarrow, or box the danger is gone. I have gotten poison ivy from these secondary sources. Probably the dumbest one on my part was when I used a large box to carry the poison ivy from the yard. After it was empty I found it easier to carry the box above my head. I went to the doctor with that one. As for the large vine, If you have an axe, use it. You can cut it and not get close to it. Yes there will be a cut in the bark, but the tree will not be harmed. One other comment on the large vine. If it is hairy it is probably poison ivy. If it is not it could be grape vine, Virginia creeper, and several other harmless native (US) plants. If it is poison ivy and is in an out of the way place, leave it. Birds love the berries and in the fall it has pretty red leaves.
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ginny12
14 years ago
I am sorry to say it is also possible that a critter ate the bulbs.
maozamom NE Ohio
14 years ago
My original GM bulb has increased to six and I've always allowed them to produce seeds. P.S. increase for me too.

mao
ontnative
14 years ago
It's my understanding (from Armitage's book) that Globemaster is a sterile hybrid and doesn't produce viable seeds. However the bulbs split in half after flowering, so the clump slowly increases, with each half producing a flower stalk the next year. Purple Sensation will seed around by itself. You can help it along by allowing it to go to seed and sprinkling the seeds in any area you want more plants.
hunt4carl
14 years ago
They also like well-drained soil (no winter wet) and a shot of bone meal
after flowering keeps them happy. . .

I always thought Alliums were "critter-proof" because they're members
of the garlic family. . .no?

Carl
PRO
Kaveh Maguire Garden Design
14 years ago
Yeah Globemaster is sterile. I just leave them up until they start to look ugly. And I don't know of anything that eats Alliums. If you lost any it was probably due to drainage or some other problem.
john_4b
14 years ago
I agree, they are critter-proof, and any loss was probably due to poor drainage. Remove the seedheads if you don't like the way they look, or don't want the seedlings (A. 'Purple Sensation') popping up everywhere.
aunt_lou
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks to everyone for the great advice! I think I will cut the flower stalks off now so that the energy goes to developing the bulbs underground.

Thanks again! :)
Aunt Lou

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