Topic: Are these dying or getting ready to be lifted?

[SMP1704]

First year with onions so I don't know the difference :-[


excuse the weeds :-[ :-[

[Fork]

Looks to me like they have Downey Mildew.

If they where mine I would pull them now and dry them off.The onions will keep but not as long as they would normally,thats my experience anyway.

Do not compost the tops,burn them or bin them.

Onions/shallots should not be put in the same ground again for 5 years I beleive.

[kenkew]

Hard to tell without a really close look, but is it possibly just the result of wind? Have you had strong winds in your area?
They don't look big enough in the bulb to be ready to harvest as normal but I wouldn't panic until you have the real reason why.

[saddad]

But you are right SMP they do fall over at the start of the drying(?) harvesting period.
 :o

[SMP1704]

Thanks - it has been really windy all of this week.

Some of the leaves have a silvery grey look to them - so could be a touch of mildew?

We are now into our second dry day so perhaps they'll perk up??

[Robert_Brenchley]

Could be mildew. Give them a while and see. They do look small, but so are my spring-planted onions.

[kenkew]

Can you wipe off the 'silvery gray' or is it just leaf colour?

[SMP1704]

I'll try wiping the leaves and let you know.

The red onions are destined for processing into marmalade and chutney, so I don't mind if they are small - but are you saying they are too small at the moment.

I'm completely clueless with this............

[kenkew]

It depends on what type they are as to how big they will grow. I was looking at stem to bulb size. I would say with stems like that your onions still have some growing to do.
 Lifting for chutney and marmalade...well, that's not something I've ever done, maybe someone who has will advise you regarding the best size for that.
 Try asking in the 'Recipe' section.

[kitten]

Hi, we had to lift some of ours the other day cos i didn't want them rotting in situ and us ending up with nothing.  I'm gonna have a go at making chutney with them, so at least they'll keep.

If you ask for chutney recipes in the recipe board you'll get plenty of suggestions, there are quite a few experts on here  ;)  ;D

[davee52uk]

I have got loads like this. On the next plot they are worse in that the foliage has turned black. I think this is due to the recent wet weather. I suggest digging them up and drying them.