Help with growing onions from seed

[gazza1960]

So ,not only am I in my new home and new growing garden area,I also thought it would be fun to try growing some red and white onions from scratch in stead of sets.

So,in the greenhouse I have 2 x shallow trays and the seedlings are growing happily at a height of
About 4 to 5 ins,although they look skinny I wasn't sure if you just leave them in that light compost medium till you transplant them to their final position at a certain height.

They are Ailsa Craig and a Kamal Red shallot

Any pointers would be useful,I also heard that seed grown produce sweeter and or slightly stronger onions,fact....or.....fiction,, .?

Anyway,I'm looking forward to getting them in the ground soon.

Gazza

[gazza1960]

[antipodes]

Hope you are well settled in Gaz.
I hope someone answers you too because this year I have managed to grow some onion seedlings!  They are not in modules, just together in a pot. They are getting quite tall now. I am unsure how you transplant them, I am a bit worried about damaging them...

[Bill Door]

I am in my second year of growing from seed.  I have grown Zebrune in small modules, about 2 seeds to a module.  Yesterday i lifted the modules out of the tray and put them in slightly bigger pots.  I have also put Alisa Craig seeds in modules (40 to a tray) at about four seeds to a module.  Those were started last week and i will let them grow there and then transfer the modules into the ground when it warms up a bit.  the zebrune did really well last year.

Moving the onions to modules/pots try to move them with as much compost as possible but do not get paranoid about it and give yourself plenty of time.

Last year i direct sowed seeds in a short line.  They did ok and were nearly tennis ball sized.  One thing I learned last year was to lime the soil just a bit  a few weeks before you plant/sow.  I also read on this site that you should not let the onions get root bound.

Remember with seeds you have to have patience, keep weeding and watering.

These are just my thoughts others will have a different opinion so you takes your chances.

Enjoy your gardening

Bill