I've just purchased a bag of shallots ready to put into pots in the greenhouse. Two of them are quite large and I can feel that they are made up of at least two bulbs. Should I split them or plant them as they are?
Regards
Bluecar
I'm not sure but I'd be a bit worried about damage if they're not protected on the outside when you pull them apart - they do go in the ground when it's cold and wet, and could get mould infections.
No..don't split it...that is the nature of shallots..they just keep dividing into more and more shallots as they grow.
Just plant them as they are. I would save them to plant them straight outside. Let the small ones to grow in pots and once ready to plant out..put the large ones into ground same time..they will catch up and may well give you better yield than the small ones anyway. ;)
I've split Jermor shallot sets because they are so blooming expensive and you think that planting a double bulb is like planting 2 bulbs next to each other which is less than ideal.
Mostly it has been OK - both halves go on to produce a a fine set of new shallots.
It is a bit like spliting a garlic head for planting, you think you could rip off the base of one bulb or damage it some other way but it seems to still be fine. But if you have a bag of something like golden gourmet, it is probably not worth the effort.
(note to self: stop being such a tightwad and buy loads of Jermors next Autumn)
Thanks for your comments. As I've only got golden gourmet I'll follow goodlife's advice.
Bluecar