Exhibition Onions - any experts?

[silverbirch]

As part of the Wyvale seed sale, I got a pack of Bunton's showstoppers, so I thought I try to grow some 'proper' ones for our show next year.

The instructions are a bit sparse:

Plant December - early or late?

Grow on steadily??  Any advice?  Greenhouse?  Heated?

All advice gratefully received.

[silverbirch]

[Deb P]

I'm not an expert or grow to show, but the Bunton's Showstoppers that I grew last year were pretty huge! I grew from seed in late October, kept them in a cold greenhouse overwinter and planted them outside in April. Didn't do much else except plant them in a patch where I had put lots of mushroom compost, and they just grew and grew..... ;D

[PAULW]

SB
Sow on xmas day, individual cells so you dont disturb the roots as per sowing on mass and pricking out, heated propogator prefered and grow on with a bit of bottom heat, pot on up to 3 inch pots using a multi purpose john innes mix with a bit of Q4, put out in the greenhouse March time and grow on until weather is fit to plant out.

[5rod]

TRY THIS SITE
MAMMOTHONION.CO.UK
GROWING LARGE ONIONS MYSELF FRIST TIME.
                      GOOD LUCK 5 ROD :)

[davyw1]

I set my seeds away from the second week in October with heat, in good compost, when they are big enough to they get potted on into 3" square pots using the same compost. As soon as i see roots at the bottom of the pot they then go into pot noodle pots in M3 compost. I only bottom water the pots
They are best grown in a raised bed prepaired in February with 2 Oz of nitrogen and 1 Oz of potash per square yard and then covered with black polythene. two weeks before planting i rake in a good handfull of fish blood and bone, sea kale and early bird per square yrd. There should be no need to feed the onions as its all in the trench, but if you need to you can use watered fish blood and bone.
If you can afford it you can incorporate manure compost to the trench on preparation.

[timf]

http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/medwyn-williams-vegetable-grow-show-343.html

details from medwyn williams on how to grow exhibition class onions

[nicko2k]

Hi have a look on my website www.exhibition-onions.com
regards Nick

[Tee Gee]

Your website brings back very many memories Nick, pity I couldn't see the pictures.

[alan42]

enjoyed your site nico and a great link for exhabition seeds , many thanks.
Alan

[nicko2k]

Your website brings back very many memories Nick, pity I couldn't see the pictures.

Hi try my site again if you could'nt see the pics, its working fine so maybe your internet had a glitch ?

[Mammoth Onion]

If you have time visit Robinsons (Home of the Mammoth Onion), near Preston.
The Robinson family will give you all the help you need about growing from seed sowing  to exhibiting. Failing that visit their web site www.mammothonion.co.uk
Before anyone says anything, no I am not a Robinson but a grower of the "Mammoth"   for over 40yrs . One day I will get one to 10lbs !!! :)

[nicko2k]

I grew a 7lb 11 1/2oz Ailsae Onion on my second year of trying, I grew eight Onions (two in pots) and the smallest was 6 1/2lb so its not too hard if you get the right strain of seeds. www.ehibition-onions.com Good luck all

[Tee Gee]

Hi Nick,

Tried again to see pictures but couldn't, but not to worry!

Like you I could grow them to 6-7lb mark which I found fared pretty well in shows in my neck of the woods.

I didn't have a cabinet but used a hot bed and overhead lights.

My forte' was Dahlias, although I did have a go at carrots one year as seen here;

The box is 24"x18" to give some idea of size ( The box was made for the 'Garden News' entries.)



These are a few of my Dahlias ready for transporting to the show;




That was the year that was;



I visited the Harrogate show that year and saw these'





As I said those were the days.

I have already planned to grow onions from seed next year because of all the white rot around.
As I think I have mentioned before; I am not sure if it is coming in on the setts?? so I thought I would give seed a go again.

I am trying Kelsae & Bruntons

ps Sorry for the quality of the pictures, cameras ten years ago were not like they are today!

[nicko2k]

Just found out photosite which has my photos on my website has shut down so I will sort it soon, they could of told me !!!
I'll let ya know when
Nick
www.exhibition-onions.com

[nicko2k]

Ps thanks for the pics, the onion seeds I used where a strain develped from an onion Mel Ednie grew
Regards
Nick
www.exhibition-onions.com