Q.I Planted 5 Allium Purple Sensation Last Fall. Now The Leaves Are Turning Brown From Tip To Base And Appears To Be Dying
The Allium started great, then it started to turn brown from the tip and continued down to the base. I looked on the internet for possible causes. All I found it could be caused by over water or too dry two opposite diagnosis. I checked with a local nursery and the person suggested to dig up a bulbs and see what it looks like. So I did that expecting to see a rotten dying bulb. To my surprise it looked perfectly healthy. It looked as good as when I planted last fall but all the leaves died off. So I replanted the bulb and added a little fertilizer. I can’t figure out what is wrong and also not sure what to do with the bulbs? Will they grow back next fall or start to rot or start to grow again this summer. I think eventually they will all die back…. Right now I don’t know what to do with them? It gets about 3 or 4 hours of full sun. Added a photo, the arrow is pointing to the one that totally died back and now it looks like two more have died back. The photo was taken on 5/25.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Alliums are a low water plant, so make sure they aren't getting too much water (symptoms of too much or not enough water can be the same). If the soil is not well draining, it could cause symptoms of overwatering and they need well-draining soil. The dying foliage also can be a symptom of too much fertilizer.
They prefer full sun but also should grow in part shade, but that could be a factor. If a bud had formed, thrips can be a problem. Were the bulbs purchased from a reputable source to bloom this year? Old bulbs can have issues.
You may want to take a soil sample and get it checked. There could be nutrients missing in the soil or too high or low pH. If the soil is clayey, work in some compost to improve drainage.
Since the bulbs look good, just leave them. They should come up again next spring. These articles should help:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=243555
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/allium-aflatunense/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/allium/growing-alliums.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/allium/allium-post-bloom-care.htm
