Topic: Onion going to seed?

[Mr Smith]

Out of all my onions one has grown a bulb like it is going to seed but the things are not ready , this is not normal so what is happening, ::)

[Robert_Brenchley]

If it's developing a central stem with a flower bud, nip it off and use the bulb ASAP.

[Mr Smith]

Cheers Robert already nipped the bud off, :)

[Barnowl]

I know the advice is not to water onions  or garlic but I think you have to if it gets really dry, otherwise they run to seed. Best to water around them so as not to get the leaves wet.

My garlic just decided they were ready last week:  no scapes, just went completely yellow. When I checked they were in three to four inches of dry soil, but the bulbs were mostly ok. Seems I won't have to hang them out to dry because they dried in the ground!

[Mr Smith]

I don't think it is for the lack of water they have had the hose pipe during the week and at weekend, :)

[Eristic]

I know the advice is not to water onions  or garlic

Since when and from whom?

[Barnowl]

Not to water unless its very dry...

From Tony Biggs's RHS book?  From my next door neighbour at the allotment? I'm afraid I can't remember - I must have got it from somewhere. Apologies all round if it's wrong.  :-[

PS Am I confusing onions and garlic?

[Justy]

lots of mine are running to seed too   :-[

[tonybloke]

you can let a couple run to seed, and collect the seed for next years crop!! (after all it's what seed merchants do) ;)