Allium tricoccum (Ramps)

[mjc]

Ramps are somewhat of an obsession in WV (and other parts of Appalachia, too, but I can only judge by the local madness). They have a strong garlic/onion flavor, but do very well in a number of dishes (or just chopped up and tossed into fried potatoes...a couple of slice turnips can be added, too).

They are native to pretty much the entire eastern US and Canada. (plants.usda.gov/maps/large/AL/ALTR3.png)

But...they seem to ignored outside of certain parts of Appalachia (and TV cooking shows).

Here's an article on cultivating them...

www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-133.html

They are pretty much unselected and still wild. I'll be collecting all the seed I can find (it can take up to 18 months to germinate) and getting some bulbs (yep, grocery store raiding...). I'd like some from other places, outside of WV...or if anyone wants to try them I can get you some bulbs or you can wait for the seed (which is usually ready in the late spring/early summer).

Ultimately, I'd like to make some selections for larger bulb size and milder flavor.

[ottawagardener]

They are wonderful but they are also protected around here because, I guess, they are so tasty but not super fast to repopulate. I think it's a great project to do some selections. I finally got some last year from a local seed/plant seller that had them in their backyard. If they do well, I'll send some along.

[pugs]

I'd sure like to try a few. Bulbs would be best for me. I'm still not that great at starting alliums from seed.

Pugs

[wood]

Pugs

I have seed that I harvested this late summer. I can send you about a hundred if you are interested. If you want bulbs you will have to wait a few months. PM me in the spring if you want them.

Years ago I started harvesting seed out of the woods and throwing them into the gravel road ditches next to my property' I have a surprising number of wild leek that is growing in the ditches (lots of sun) but not expanding. I have some of the ditch planted leek transplanted to the garden (full sun exposure, some lightly shaded, and some heavy shaded). I can get it to grow but not go to seed. It really prefers the woods.

Oh well I'm having fun. I live in northern Wisconsin in zone 3. Down south they are ramps, up here they are wild leek. Same plant.

Wood

[mjc]

Wood, it takes up to seven years for them to flower, from seed grown. And 3-5 before the clumps really start expanding. But once they do, they can fill up an area quickly.

I'd like a some of your seed, too...I can trade you equal amounts of WV seed when I get it later this year.

[stevil]

Interesting project. Have tried Allium tricoccum several times from seed here but without much success - I still have one plant sowed about 6 years ago which still pokes its head up every year but doesn't get any bigger. The only place I've seen them in Europe was in Kew Gardens, growing alongside its European namesake Ramsons. Although they look similar - both have broad leaves - they are not that closely related (apart from both being Alliums). Here they are together (Ramps have the reddish leaf base)

www.hagepraten.no/gallery/viewpic.php?pic_id=2709
www.hagepraten.no/gallery/viewpic.php?pic_id=2708

As I've understood it, ramps have a very different growth pattern than ramsons. The leaves appear in the spring and then die back before the flowers appear later in the summer. Ramsons flowers appear at the same time as the leaves.

I received some more seed last year (don't think I have any spare). If they germinate in sufficient quantities I can send you a few small first year bulbs when they die back - they are from Ohio. Remind me in July if interested.

I'm interested in obtaining a few bulbs if anyone has any to spare (have a large trade list). Not currently available in the UK ( I wonder if this reflects that they are difficult in cultivation over here?)

I wrote an article last year on these two as they look similar and are used in a similar way and a large Ramsons-festival is now held in a German town (inspired by the North American Ramps festivals?). Here it is - in Norwegian, unfortunately. Use Google translate - gives not a bad translation (Ramsløk=Ramsons)

www.skogoglandskap.no/fagartikler/2009/ramsloek

[flowerpower]

I look and look around here, but can never find them in the wild. But I'll keep looking. lol

[canadamike]

Try maple stands...

[pugs]

Wood,

Thanks for the seed offer! I accept. I'll PM you my address.

Pugs

[flowerpower]

Jan 13, 2010 6:08:54 GMT -5 canadamike said:

Try maple stands...

OK, I'll keep a better eye out.

[plantsnobin]

I'm sorry I didn't save any seeds from mine this year. I dug up a bulb in the woods and transplanted it to my garden. Set seed last year, so if anyone wants some this year remind me later. I can look in the woods again too, though they are not plentiful here.

[mnjrutherford]

We are supposed to be a major location for ramps but I haven't seen them yet that I know of. I haven't really had time to investigate more in depth either. But, Mike, you are saying they grow around maple trees? That would be a help. If I can find some wild, I can watch them and perhaps gather reproductive material for distribution?

[mjc]

If you find them in the wild you should be able to dig a few and transplant them...in none of the states, in Appalachia, at least, are they restricted in any way (except for standard trespassing type issues...ask first). They transplant well any time of year, although early spring, before they are fully leafed out and late summer/early fall are the 'better' times.

[wood]

All wanting seed PM me your address's

Wood

[plantsnobin]

Well, I just went out and looked. My plant still has the seed stalk standing, and there are two seeds still there. Snow was melted enough to be able to find it.