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General => The Shed => Topic started by: Dahlia on May 26, 2014, 18:48:43

Title: Onions
Post by: Dahlia on May 26, 2014, 18:48:43
Hi, I have been having great problems with my onions this last couple of years. Problem. They just don't grow!! Loads of leaf and look very healthy, but when I lift them, I'm lucky if they have grown a half inch  :BangHead: Am I doing something wrong? This last lot I planted in November, same time as the garlic and looking at them, they are small :( and have started to flower! My husband read today that I should snap off the flower heads, so that's been done. I just can't think of anything else to do. Can anyone suggest anything, please?
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: gavinjconway on May 26, 2014, 19:17:54
My overwintered onions are a bit bigger than my thumb now - some bit smaller than golf ball size. They are ideal for eating as green onions. 

Onions send up a flower stalk if stressed... no food, dry (and maybe too wet - I think). Some will and some wont.. Use the flowering ones first..
 
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: gavinjconway on May 26, 2014, 19:20:07
My overwintered onions are a bit bigger than my thumb now - some bit smaller than golf ball size. They are ideal for eating as green onions. 

Onions send up a flower stalk if stressed... no food, dry (and maybe too wet - I think). Some will and some wont.. Use the flowering ones first..

I assume you planted sets? November is probably a bit late for overwintering onions as they need some summer/autumn time to develop roots and start growing. Did you feed the bed when you prepared it?  What variety of onions are they?
 
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: Dahlia on May 26, 2014, 21:16:30
Hi gavinjconway,
The bed was well composted before planting. I planted later as we live in central France. The winter was a bit wet and the since Feb (until last week) it's been rather hot. I've never had any luck with my onions apart from the very first one's I planted seven years ago. I've had problems in the past, but as soon as people realise where we live they just don't want to know :(
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: gavinjconway on May 26, 2014, 22:42:11
Central France... that will be ideal for onions... maybe its just been too dry as you say its been hot since feb. What variety were they?