Big onions - how would you start them off? Advice please

[Squash64]

I'd like to have a go at growing a big onion for our competition this year.  I've got the seeds (from Robinsons) but I'm clueless about how to start them off.  Would a heated propagator be best?  Or cold greenhouse, or windowsill?

[Squash64]

[pumkinlover]

Not content with massive squashs and marrows? eh Betty ;) ;) ;)

[grawrc]

There's some guidance on Robinson's website http://www.exhibition-seed.info/cultivation.htm

[Squash64]

Not content with massive squashs and marrows? eh Betty ;) ;) ;)

;D

We have competitions for the longest runner bean, parsnip and carrot, heaviest potato, beetroot, and onion but I'm only any good with the marrows and pumpkins. 

I'll be amazed if I can grow a big onion because 'normal' onions never do well for me!

[Squash64]

There's some guidance on Robinson's website http://www.exhibition-seed.info/cultivation.htm

Thanks Anne, I'll have a look.

[pete10]

Lots of water when bulbing. After the longest day. Comfry feed will help them bulb nicely.

[astraman1]

im having a go at this too this year im allready on a downer tho i bought the seeds in dec 2010 but never got round to doing them that year so i kept them and i put them in a tray on the 26th dec watered them and pout a lid on top they were in the greenhouse but was getting cold so i bought them into the house on the windowsill ive still got no action yet

im not sure if i will given they are old seed and the fact nothing has showed yet i could just be being impatient but i really want to see something

[davyw1]

I set mine away in November, what i do is a tray of moist compost scater my seeds on it then cover with a fine layer of dry compost cover whith a sheet of glass so the condensation moistens the compost cover with black polythene to keep the light out and place then put them in a warm place min temp 60 deg keep a check on them and as soon as they are poking their heads through move them into the light. Bottom water when the compost gets dry just long enough so the damp does not reach the top of the compost.

Once they have straightend up pot them on

[astraman1]

thanks for that dave do you get any bad effects starting them that early and what benifit do you get from covering them so there is no light showing

[davyw1]

thanks for that dave do you get any bad effects starting them that early and what benifit do you get from covering them so there is no light showing

Regarding setting them away in Nov is to get a bigger onion through longer growth, these will go under grow lights. I will be setting another batch away tomorrow what i will be trying for with these is to match three onions for the show bench.

Most of the seeds we use germinate better and quicker in the dark, putting a sheet of glass over creates condensation so it keeps the compost moist but not enough to rot the seeds. The main thing is heat you must have a minimum temperature to get the seeds to germinate, also not covering the seeds with to much compost a good guide is three times the size of the seed.
You must put them into light as soon as they start to germinate otherwise they just get leggy.