Flat-bottomed onions

[Bluejane]

Yes, that's flat, not fat :) ...

I grew white and red onions this year. Harvested them a week or so ago and I'm pondering why the white ones (Stuttgart Giant) almost all have flat bottoms. In some cases the root bit is almost up inside the onion to make an inverted cup shape. They look OK otherwise and taste OK, but I'm just intrigued as to why they've come up looking like space ships! The red ones (Red Baron, I think), which were grown in the same bed and under the same conditions, are fine.   

Has anyone got any theories? Thanks!

[Bluejane]

[raisedbedted]

Hi Bluejane

I also grew Stuttgart Giant and snap, mine also look like discs, I was thinking perhaps there was a bit underground but no.  Also they werent particularly giant.  They do taste great though.

So either our growing techniques are identical or its the variety, I will lurk in this space....

Adrian

[redimp]

Stuttgarter Giant (or in my case Miniscule) are a flatter disk shaped variety.

[David R]

same, and I may say, they are a pain to cut when they are like this. Grew red baron last year and it was the same.

Wonder if planting depth has anything to do with it? If you plant the sets deeper, they have to elongate to get above ground. If shallow planted they just have to sit there and support the plant by being wide at the base, just a thought.

[moonbells]

I have always gone for onion sets described as being for globe onions. Stuttgarter Giant are known to be flat onions. You can tell by looking at the sets - if a set's round then the onion will end up flat, and if it's elongated then it ends up round :)

Basically the shape always gets fatter round the middle as the onion grows. 

moonbells

[Bluejane]

Thanks for everyone's comments - I guess the moral of the story is to do a bit more research on variety before you start! (Glad to know it's just my lack of forethought and not something wrong with the onions/soil/conditions etc., though.) Doh!