Allium altaicum
| Allium altaicum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 1 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Allium altaicum
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough.
Division in spring. The plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season, pot up the divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing well and then plant them out into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: An easily grown plant[1], it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[2]. Succeeds in moist and acid soils[1].
This species is probably an ancestor of the Welsh onion, A. fistulosum[1] and as such is a potential genetic resource.
Bees are very fond of the flowers of this plant[1].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[2]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[1].
Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[3][4][5]. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[6].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[7].
Range: E. Asia - Siberia to Mongolia.
Habitat: Rocky areas[1]. Slopes and plains in N. China[8].
Edibility: Bulb - raw or cooked. The bulbs are formed in clusters on a rhizome and are up to 4cm wide[9].
Leaves - raw or cooked.
Flowers - raw. Used as a garnish on salads.
Medicinal: Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system[K].
Usage: The growing plant is said to repel insects and moles[4].
Pollinators: Bees, insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[10].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Davies, Dilys. Alliums: The Ornamental Onions. Batsford, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.