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Allium karataviense

Turkestan Onion · Turkistan Onion

Family AmaryllidaceaeGenus Allium

A dense globe of small pale pink star-shaped flowers over darker buds, on a short red stem between two broad blue-green leaves
FlowerBS Thurner HofCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
BulbExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
bulbous geophytePlants of the World Online
Flower
Pink, Purple/LavenderExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tadzhikistan, UzbekistanGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Karataviense means "of the Karatau Mountains" in Kazakhstan. This ornamental onion has been chosen for the Great Plant Picks list of outstanding plants for the maritime Pacific Northwest. Wikipedia: Allium karataviense

This source reports 6 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 23, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    20 germinated in this phase.

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 1.5 years from start to step 7. Germination happens during step 7; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

25% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Allium p. 91Public domain
Show the original text
Allium (Liliaceae). This genus showed much diversity. Germination patterns ranged from simple D-70 in A. karataviense gave some of the most extended germination observed. Germination occurred at both 70 and 40 and in comparable overall percentages for fresh seed or DS seed. Some of the experiments were closed prematurely. The seed was still firm arid, in retrospect, would probably have given further germination. The data is given in full. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70-40-70 none and 40-70(5%)-40(15%)-70(5%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70-40(6%)-70-40- 70(6%) and 40-70-40-70-40(15%)-70(15%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70-40-70- 40(4%)-70(4%)-40(4%-70(20%) and 40-70(5%)-40-70-40(20%)-70(25%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Allium p. 91. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 26, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 25, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 2 years from start to step 8. Germination happens during step 8; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

23% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Allium p. 91Public domain
Show the original text
Allium (Liliaceae). This genus showed much diversity. Germination patterns ranged from simple D-70 in A. karataviense gave some of the most extended germination observed. Germination occurred at both 70 and 40 and with both fresh and DS seed in comparable percentages. No pattern could be discerned other than that significant germination never began until the 4th cycle and sometimes the major burst of germination occurred as late as the 7th cycle: The data is given in full. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70(6%)-40(27%)-70(10%)-40(15%)-70(15%) and 40-70-40(2%)-70(14%)- 40(2%)-70(28%)-40(2%)-70(6%)-40(18%)-70(6%)-40(18%) Seed DS 6:m at 70 germ. 70-40-70(7%)-40(13%)-70(9%)-40(3%)-70(55%) and 40-70-40-70-40-70(1%)- 40(69%)-70(1 2%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70(5%)-40(4%)-70(4%)-40(1 1%)- 70(1 6%)-40-70(23%) and 40-70-40-70-40(1%)-70(1%)-40(83%)-70(6%). Some of these must look like typographical errors but in fact they are all correct.. Seeds treated with GA-3 largely rotted.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Allium p. 91. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 21, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 20, 2025.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    14 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    6 germinated in this phase.

  9. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    18 germinated in this phase.

  10. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    6 germinated in this phase.

  11. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    18 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 6 run on after germination.

about 15 months from start to step 6. Germination happens during step 6; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

15% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Allium p. 91Public domain
Show the original text
Allium (Liliaceae). This genus showed much diversity. Germination patterns ranged from simple D-70 in A. karataviense gave some of the most extended germination observed. Germination occurred at both 70 and 40 and in comparable overall percentages for fresh seed or DS seed. Some of the experiments were closed prematurely. The seed was still firm arid, in retrospect, would probably have given further germination. The data is given in full. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70-40-70 none and 40-70(5%)-40(15%)-70(5%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70-40(6%)-70-40- 70(6%) and 40-70-40-70-40(15%)-70(15%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70-40-70- 40(4%)-70(4%)-40(4%-70(20%) and 40-70(5%)-40-70-40(20%)-70(25%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Allium p. 91. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 26, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 25, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    1 germinated in this phase.

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 8 run on after germination.

about 2 years from start to step 8. Germination happens during step 8; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

15% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Allium p. 91Public domain
Show the original text
Allium (Liliaceae). This genus showed much diversity. Germination patterns ranged from simple D-70 in A. karataviense gave some of the most extended germination observed. Germination occurred at both 70 and 40 and in comparable overall percentages for fresh seed or DS seed. Some of the experiments were closed prematurely. The seed was still firm arid, in retrospect, would probably have given further germination. The data is given in full. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70-40-70 none and 40-70(5%)-40(15%)-70(5%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70-40(6%)-70-40- 70(6%) and 40-70-40-70-40(15%)-70(15%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70-40-70- 40(4%)-70(4%)-40(4%-70(20%) and 40-70(5%)-40-70-40(20%)-70(25%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Allium p. 91. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    6 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    10 germinated in this phase.

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    15 germinated in this phase.

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    15 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 4 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

6% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Allium p. 91Public domain
Show the original text
Allium (Liliaceae). This genus showed much diversity. Germination patterns ranged from simple D-70 in A. karataviense gave some of the most extended germination observed. Germination occurred at both 70 and 40 and in comparable overall percentages for fresh seed or DS seed. Some of the experiments were closed prematurely. The seed was still firm arid, in retrospect, would probably have given further germination. The data is given in full. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70-40-70 none and 40-70(5%)-40(15%)-70(5%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70-40(6%)-70-40- 70(6%) and 40-70-40-70-40(15%)-70(15%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70-40-70- 40(4%)-70(4%)-40(4%-70(20%) and 40-70(5%)-40-70-40(20%)-70(25%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Allium p. 91. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 21, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 20, 2025.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 5 run on after germination.

about 15 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

4% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Allium p. 91Public domain
Show the original text
Allium (Liliaceae). This genus showed much diversity. Germination patterns ranged from simple D-70 in A. karataviense gave some of the most extended germination observed. Germination occurred at both 70 and 40 and in comparable overall percentages for fresh seed or DS seed. Some of the experiments were closed prematurely. The seed was still firm arid, in retrospect, would probably have given further germination. The data is given in full. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70-40-70 none and 40-70(5%)-40(15%)-70(5%). Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70-40(6%)-70-40- 70(6%) and 40-70-40-70-40(15%)-70(15%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 70-40-70- 40(4%)-70(4%)-40(4%-70(20%) and 40-70(5%)-40-70-40(20%)-70(25%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Allium p. 91. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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