Shallots not growing!

[umshamrock]

Hi,

I planted some shallots in November.  I planted them sorta deep, so that the entire bulb is covered (I do this with onions and get fantastic results).  But....the shallots have still not grown at all, apart from one that is just starting to poke green parts through! I checked and the bulbs are still there, and are not rotten.  Do you think they are planted too deep? Or maybe the cold weather is holding them up? I live in Plymouth...so it isn't too cold. Do I just need to be more patient?

Thanks!

[umshamrock]

[Derekthefox]

I agree, patience is needed. I believe that most of the early period is spent in developing a root system, so you will not see anything unless you lift the plant to examine the roots ...

[Palustris]

Onions, shallots are day length controlled. I cannot find the figures at present, but for the first half of their growing period (approx) the root system grows, then the stem (the bulb). This is why in the old days, it was reckoned you should sow your seeds on the shortest day, ready for harvesting on the longest.

[terrace max]

Errm - I always plant my shallots kind of half in/half out of the soil. Just following instructions though (as per usual ::)) never really thought about it.

I have planted shallots in October - but the results were slightly less good than the ones I planted in February what with bird damage etc..

[Robert_Brenchley]

I planted mine a couple of weeks ago, and am now in the same situation as you, with just the odd one poking through. Do't worry, just give them time. I've given up on putting them half in and half out of the soil; too many of them stay on top and do nothing in a dry spring like last year. I just dibbed holes, put them an inch or so down, and then covered them with an inch of dead leaves to inhibit weeds.

[plot51A]

Don't think you've planted too deep - I cover mine up (they're showing but were planted in October) Patience and fingers crossed I reckon - after all even here in the west it wasn't too brilliant in November I seem to remember!

[tim]

Patience?? Not showing yet?? What's all the fuss?? Mine aren't, either!!

[Debs]

whoops!

have I missed the shallot boat?

I haven't even bought any yet!!

Please tell me I am not too late...


Debs

[Robert_Brenchley]

No, I've always planted mine in the spring before this year. Golden gourmet are good, theough I'm trying a few eschalote grise this year to see if they really are better-tasting. I'm only doing a few since I'm the only one who will do anything with them; they'd disappear without trace in Namissa's dishes, as they tend to be rather potent.

[umshamrock]

Hmmm...so some of you guys haven't even planted them yet? Interesting... one of the old timers at my allotment area gave me a load in Novemeber which is why I planted them then. So I'll just continue to wait....

[mc55]

planted mine on Monday, about 1/2 inch of soil over the top ... but mine are very round compared to Tims (although they came from Tescos, as I cannot find any garden centre or nursery that sells anything other than tinsel covered rubbish  >:( )

[Bill Door]

Planted mine just before Christmas and they have not moved either.  Then they never have before so i think it  is a matter of  ::) patience and keeping  8) cool until they decide to grow.

regards Bill

[Meg]

Usually leave mine till spring but wish I had known as would have put them in too. My Japanese onions are up and running and so is the garlic.

[tim]

mc - I grow the oval ones for ease of preparation.

[grawrc]

I've never planted shallots since I tend to use onions in recipes which specify shallots. Do they have a better flavour?

Garlic and autumn planted onion sets are fair-sized already and my Sturon onion sets arrived today .

[tim]

This says it better than I can. But for '2-3' read 9-25!!
And super around the joint, or in roast root veg. Or, of course, pickled!

[amphibian]

Patience?? Not showing yet?? What's all the fuss?? Mine aren't, either!!

Which shallots are they?

[tim]

Jermor - I've just dug a new, rot-free patch for them & the garlic.

[grawrc]

Thank you for that information, Tim. Clearly I shall have to plant shallots.

[Lady of the Land]

Have just planted some shallots today- special ones, given to me last year by an elderly gentleman at our allotments, these 15 were the ones I saved from the spring crop I grew last year. I must find out the name of them. They are very large- almost the size of a small onion 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 cm in diameter. I believe you cannot buy these now.