The local DIY shop has onion sets in - both the above and Red Baron. I am growing most of mine from seed this year, but I may get a few sets just in case....so to the question.
How do they compare - which is strongest, how well do they grow in your soil etc....
The seeds are Ailsa Craig, described as mild, so I'd like a stronger one to go with them.
Ta.
I grew these two last year on my clay soil. They both did well, the Sturons were a stronger flavour but the Stuttgarters won marginally because they stored longer. :)
I also grew Sturon on clay, not big onions, but serious eye waterers to prepare. Mine have stored ok, strung up in a dry outdoor shed. Still using them.
I grow both Sturons on the right Stuttgarters on the left both good keepers,Sturon as the better flavour,Red Baron allways blot for me. Going to give one called Rumba a bash this year.
I grew both Sturon and Red Barron last year. 99% of the reds bolted, the Sturon were terrific. I still have enough hanging to last for another 6 months.
Growing most of mine from seed this year.
Stuttgarter every time for me - strong enough & they keep really well. Also the shape is very convenient for slicing.
Hmm, so far it seems I'm buying both! Not much help, are you? ;)
Actually there is quite a difference in Froglegs' piccy - must say I like the look of the Stuttgarters.
Thing is, I've grown them both before and always mixed them up........I never know which is which. That helps.
I grow Red baron every year and have no problems (we still have a couple of dozen hanging from the garage roof, although we lose a lot earlier but i blame to poor weather)
Grown both Stutgart and Sturon and I reckon Sturon store better by a thin margin otherwise I don't think there is much to choose between them.
Decisions, decisions but either way you will get some nice onions ;)
Lol thats why i could'nt comment Robin i've done the same.
Erm, are you sure that is Sturon in the right hand picture Froglegs?
Reason I ask, is that I've grown them a few times and always get a bit annoyed with them because they are flattish in shape and therefore a bit difficult to cut the ends off when you're cooking with them. Your pic doesn't show them as being very flat at all ???
Quote from: jennym on February 18, 2009, 23:54:55Your pic doesn't show them as being very flat at all
That could be because in the picture they're sets and haven't grown and swollen out yet.
Quote from: jennym on February 18, 2009, 23:54:55
Erm, are you sure that is Sturon in the right hand picture Froglegs?
Reason I ask, is that I've grown them a few times and always get a bit annoyed with them because they are flattish in shape and therefore a bit difficult to cut the ends off when you're cooking with them. Your pic doesn't show them as being very flat at all ???
I got two lots of Sturon and a(the middle one)Stuttgarter giant........i hope. ;D
Oh dear, maybe it's me! Would be interesting to see if they do flatten out when grown ;D
Will keep ya posted. :)
Quote from: jennym on February 19, 2009, 23:08:03
Oh dear, maybe it's me! Would be interesting to see if they do flatten out when grown ;D
No it's not you, these are a few of my Sturon and the two on the left clearly show flatter tops which does make them harder to cut them off.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/m0awb/INEBG/photo.jpg)
Better a flat top than a flat bottom?
I was very impressed by Hercules (a round onion) sets last year and have now abandoned Sturon in favour of them, but I'm not sure if you can get Hercules sets in the shops.
PS Online at the organiccatalog seemed the best value so long as they're part of a larger order (because of the £1.70 P&P)
just seen Hercules sets at weyvale but the picture on the pack made them look yucky (as if they were going bad)
lbb
As Frankenfurter sang "Don't judge a book by its cover" :)
And they've got an AGM
Quote from: Barnowl on February 20, 2009, 14:33:19
As Frankenfurter sang "Don't judge a book by its cover" :)
And they've got an AGM
hmmm guess i'll have to get hubby to go back for me :)
(dont take to much advice from Frankenfurter ok)
lbb
On a slightly different note, has anybody managed to grow reds properly without bolting?
I've tried 2 varieties over 4 years and barely had a dozen good ones. Red Baron and a.n. other from sets.
Maybe seeds produce better results? ???
I'm on clay, btw.
Quote from: littlebabybird link=topic=49130.msg497441#msg497441
(dont take to much advice from Frankenfurter ok)
OK :)
This came up recently and I think the advice was not to plant out until after the vernal equinox, which usually falls on or around 20th March.
Found it...
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,48410.msg488275.html#msg488275 (http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,48410.msg488275.html#msg488275)
There's always a lot to be said in :
'BE PATIENT'
::) ::) ::) ::)