Autumn planted Onion sets...advice please

[aob9]

My autumn planted onion sets have survived the extremely harsh winter but they are extremely small. In fact they look like very young spring onions. I have no doubt that they will continue to grow now although they have gained none of the usual benefits of Autumn planting. My biggest fear is that they will bolt because of the stress they have been under. Does anyone have any advice based on past experience?. This is the first time I have seen overwintered onions look so "backward".

[aob9]

[kippers garden]

Mine look the same as they did last year after the harsh winter.  They went on last year to produce some fine onions...one or two bolted but this alway happens....so hopefully they will be fine for you.

[jennym]

My autumn planted sets don't look too bad, but a few will bolt, they nearly always do.
You can put some spring sets in as back up, but if you really want to guarantee that your onions won't bolt, then sow seed when the soil warms up a bit.

[cornykev]

As above, they look the same as last year, but will grow on with a few bolting, so no probs, hows the weather in Cork.   :D

[aob9]

Thanks for the good news folks. I was hoping that's what you would all say. The weather in Cork is Sunny and breezy this morning cornykev. It makes a change from the wet and dreary weather of the past few days. Whilst on the topic of onions has anybody got experience of spring planted sets in a poly tunnel. I have a bit of spare space in my plan and wondered if they would "stick the heat", so to speak.

[TonyD]

onions originate in the middle east so will take the heat. the only worry i would have is humidity as they become prone to downy mildew in hot but humid weather. they are grown in south Australia where it is over 100f and dry, also queensland Australia where it gets 120f but humid.