Onions replanted for seed

[Jeannine]

 I think I am losing it..hence the confusion.

I have saved my onion seeds for a few years, I usually leavea few onions in situ and gather the seed heads the following year,

Last year I lifted all but a fewof  the onions and replanted them in the Spring, they have grown well but  the bulbs have multiplied. The three I did leave in to see if they would overwinter have also grown and they have not multiplied. Both have seed heads on them. They are both the same kind.

Also I regrew some in the UK and don`t remember them multiplying either.

Am I losing the plot here

XX Jeannine

[Jeannine]

[TEL]

If i have onions over at the start of the new season & they have started sprouting again i will pop them back in to grow.
These multiply in to what i know as scallions bit like a spring onion

[goodlife]

No, I don't think you are losing it at all.. ;D
I wonder if there has been some damage or disturbance for the growing plate...hence the division.
I've got one leek in big bed of many that instead of producing the one thick stem has produced one slender one and now sprouting several smaller ones too.. ::) Looks bit 'hairy'.
For sake of interest and to see what they will 'do'. I'm going to lift the whole thing up, divide and plant them again as individuals. I suspect they will grow on as normal..but only time will tell.
Why don't you let them grow and lift them up later on. Perharps they will be big enough to plant again next spring and see if they still want to multiply (new onion cross ;D) or if things go back to normal.
Another growth trial.. ::)

[Jeannine]

But this is the second year of growth already..and they have flower stems on.. I am very confused..

I want to keep the seeds, well I did, but if these were garlic I would have taken off the scape so with the flower being left on what will the bulbs be like.. it is nuts.

I will try and keep them, just for curiosity but don't know if they will be any good. They are Rose de Roscoffs by the way and are definately not crossed.

XX Jeannine

[Jayb]

I find the majority of saved and replanted onions for seed divide, although not all do. Despite them being the same variety and treated to the same conditions. Single bulbs sometimes put up more than one seed head and those that have divided normally each put up a seed head.
Picture is of a Stamme onion, this one has grown well and the split bulbs are a good size. Shallots are in the background.
[attachment=1]

[Jeannine]

Thanks Jay, the twice before when I kept these onions for seed they didn't so it is new to me as I have not done it that often.

Are the bulbs usable for replanting or eating?

Is this why the seed heads look smaller than I remember too, mind you they still have time to grow on a bit.

XX Jeannine

[Jayb]

By the time seed is being harvested, I find bulbs are fairly exhausted. Can't say I've ever tried using them further, unless the odd one has no flower stalk.

Similar here, I thought both bulbs and seed heads looked small but they have gone on to prove me wrong. I have a later planting of Buan onions in the polytunnel which are still much smaller and lush green growth. I noticed the first seed heads appearing tonight, I think with the rate of growth they will be good. Hopefully the flowers will miss each other completely

[green lily]

I'm growing a couple of leeks for seeds [ or will I get bubils?]. One -the slower one has one massive white drumhead the other has thrown one central and 2 subsidiary heads. So leeks can do it too. The stems are like tree trunks so there won't be any replanting... I'm really looking forward to harvesting guess I better start getting some paper bags ready to collect in...
These two are Seigfried and I kept the 2 biggest leeks which are now about my height. :) 5'2"