Topic: A Big Onion Question. What is the latest sowing?

[the_snail]

Ok as always I have not got my alsia craig onion seeds before christmas  ::) I was going to sow some on Boxing Day as tradition states. (For growing big onions and nothing to do with the christmas season or anything  ;))

So my question is when is the very latest I can sow the onion seeds so I can get BIG onions?  :)

Thanks
The_Snail

[tim]

I thought that January was the norm for sowing transplants?

Is it not more the TLC after germination that gives a good onion?

[supersprout]

hey snail, I just checked in Nick Kollerstrom's Moon Book and the 26th says firmly NO PLANTING :o Next root days are Sun 31 Dec and 1 January, so I might just go with the flow and potter down at New Year rather than Boxing Day ;)

tim, the legend here is also to sow Ailsa Craig on Boxing Day - seems like the variety has something to do with it?

[cornykev]

Only planted sets of onions before, but found some Ailsa Craig seeds indoor Jan/Feb I'll save mine till outdoor sowing in March.

[the_snail]

I have ordered some onion seeds from alanromans. If they do not arrive before christmas then it will be a January early when I sow with lots of TLC to get them good and strong ready for April planting out when the soil is warmer.

Thanks all for you advice. :)

The_Snail

[tim]

Something I now read about TLC - keep cutting the seedlings back to 3" until a few weeks before planting out.

[growmore]

Unless you are growing from your own strain for records or shows Its a palaver sowing onion seed in winter ..They have  to be germinated then pricked out at a certain stage (crook stage ) before this or  after affects their growth   then grown on in pots . They need artificial  heat, light  and ventilation to do it right ...If you just want to grow some big onions for local shows or table  its easier and I think   a lot cheaper taking all into consideration  to let the commercial guys do all this for you ..   These come to you in April  hardened off ready to be set out ..
Just get a good bed ready for em

http://www.fothergills.co.uk/en/onion-plants-the-kelsae-12487.aspx?search=kelsae

Cheers.. Jim

[adekun]

I've been watching my onions become submerged, from indoors. I transplanted mine towards the end of November. Think things are done a little differently over here.

 :)

[supersprout]

Autumn planted sets did well for me last year, so I'm trialling Autumn sown seed this year:

Ailsa Craig
Giant Stuttgart
Giant Zittau
Cipolla Rossa Savonese (Franchi)
Senshyu Yellow (Japanese) (OGC)

It looked like a faff to do from seed trays like growmore says, so I cluster sowed five to a module in plant trainers in late August, holes dibbed and dropped in in October. Very early days, but they seem to be doing slightly better than the Senshyu sets planted at around the same time :) We'll See What Happens! ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've been watching my onions become submerged, from indoors. I transplanted mine towards the end of November. Think things are done a little differently over here.

What's the reason for the flooding, is it just heavy rain? What I've noticed is that flooding or waterlogging outside the growing season mostly does little or no harm as long as it doesn't last long. In the growing season, 24 hours of it can do major damage.

[adekun]

I made a point of firming the soil, prior to transplanting the onions. It is sandy, I guess it gets to the point where it cannot drain the rain away fast enough.
I've lost a few onions so far, expecting snow soon, so that might be it?

[cambourne7]

Hi

I popped my japanese onions direct into the soil in october and i have got some little sprouts popping up.

( or did do before the holiday )

I plan on planting the rest of my onion seeds mid feb.

The onion sets i planted 6 months late are still growing strong when i looked last they were like large spring onions.

Will be checking on them tonight, if i can get back before its 2 dark.

Louise

[cornykev]

Snail it took four days for my seeds to arrive from alanromans, but It will probably be a bit longer this time of year should be all right though.   ;D ;D ;D ;D :-*

[the_snail]

Just Checked my order status with alanromans seeds and they where dispatched on the 18th so they should be here today or tommorow. I am just going to sow a few as a little experiment on boxing day as a challenge  :). The rest I might sow in late January or Early Febuary.

[supersprout]

Would be interested to find out what if any difference it makes, _snail!
OGC Onion Sturon and Longor shallots arrived yesterday - maybe they're all trying to get out for Boxing Day now ;D

[cornykev]

Good idea Snail.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[allanwoolley]

The question I want to ask is how does the tiny onion seed know whether it has been sown on Boxing Day or Feb 14th?   After all when it comes to Jul/Aug the summer is surely long enough to allow maturation for either sowings.

[the_snail]

Ok the seed arrived on 22nd December and they have been sown today Christmas Eve.

[cornykev]

Did you save some for Feb planting Snail. :D :D ;D ;D

[the_snail]

Nope ordered them from alanromans  ;D

The_Snail