An Allium Christophii question

[goosey]

I planted Allium Christophii bulbs last autumn and produced the most wonderful metalic lilac large globe flower. I left these and they have dried out completely and are still very attractive, but I have noticed lots of seeds.
Will these seeds flower if I collect and plant them?
(I was planning in leaving the bulbs in situ, hoping they will flower again next year.)
Thanks

[tony d]

Hi Shirley, I have grown these in the past and they came up again for about four years and then disappeared! I have grown them from seed but they take about three or four years to get to flowering size, but well worth a try.
Tony

[goosey]

Thanks Tony - I will .

[paul m]

Generalising (a bit too much) Allium spp need a fairly rich but well-drained (gritty) soil and they will survive well and possibly divide. If they divide a lot then they will need splitting and the 'bulbs' separating, re-feeding in the process otherwise they will stop flowering.
Growing most alliums from seed is fairly easy (that's why I've got so many): just sprinkle them on some seed compost and cover with light grit, they don't need to be kept warm so leave them somewhere shltered outdoors. The seeds will germinate in late spring but they will usually need to be kept growing in pots for a couple of years before they are strong enough to plant out.
At this point I should admit that I've never grown A. christophii from seed but see no reason why it shouldn't work.