I grew shallots from a bag of them bought at my local greengrocers, thinking nothing ventured nothing gained. The result has been from two to 6 shallots each but they have very thick 'necks'. I harvested one lot as I needed the space and they are hung upside down on wires strung across the shed door to dry. The others are still green - not showing any sign of dying back. Question 1 - Will the necks eventually slim down or is it the variety I just happened to buy? Question 2 - should I save the biggest bulbs for planting next year or buy from a reputable seed company?
Tricia
Questions of disease apart, it's always better to use the biggest and best seeds, cuttings etc. Personally, I'd buy, beg, borrow, swap a few varieties and see what you like flavourwise, and what performs well in your soil. Then select the best of those and save them for the next planting.
I would start with some good bought ones and use them for a short time say three/four years and if you get any probs with disease or falling yields try again from new stock!
???
The necks are thicker on some varieties than others, but they shrivel away during drying. I prepare shallots for storage by simply running my hand from the bulb up the stem, while gripping firmly, you'll find that they all seem to come off at roughly the same point, leaving a short piece of stem, which in time will dry to look much like the bit you find on bought shallots.
I just store them in a bag made out of crop net, the bag is very large and I shake them about once in a while.