Allotments 4 All

Just checked up on my red onions - too early to plant yet but a lot of sprouting going on

About a dozen have sprouted very long shoots that are going round in circles like pigs tails (perhaps 4" of growth if straightened)- will these have to be binned or will they straighten up when planted.

Should i pot the rest on in a greenhouse to at least encourage the others to grow straight?

Should i just buy another packet???

HI Glow,
I wouldnt say its too early for red onion sets..If  your soil allows you to I would set em now ..I ain't that far away from you and mine have been in a fortnight ...I know your asl is quite a lot more than mine but sets seem hardy enough ...
As for the sprutted one's they should be ok too, set em out  firming soil  level with bottom of  shoot ... Cheers... Jim

What you describe is the 'crook' and this is the sign that they want pricking out into individual pots.

This crook-ed leaf will disappear and be replaced with more mature leaves.

Quote from: Tee Gee on March 14, 2007, 13:22:41
What you describe is the 'crook' and this is the sign that they want pricking out into individual pots.

This crook-ed leaf will disappear and be replaced with more mature leaves.

These are sets TeeGee not from seed - sorry to confuse

Ah! well someone might have learned something from my previous reply  ::)


Back to yours; why not just pot up the ones that are sprouting?

Keep the others cool & dry.

Note; Humidity can make them sprout  i.e. mosture in the air is sufficient to set them off!

Quote from: Tee Gee on March 14, 2007, 15:27:09
Ah! well someone might have learned something from my previous reply  ::)

i did.
and while i'm here i would advise anybody (everybody) to check out TeeGee,s website, it is top notch.

Quote from: Tee Gee on March 14, 2007, 15:27:09
Back to yours; why not just pot up the ones that are sprouting?

Will pot up - will they straighten out - one makes about 3 loops!
the rest are all starting to sprout but not so bad theyll be about an inch by the first of April which is my onion planting day (weather permitting)

QuoteWill pot up - will they straighten out - one makes about 3 loops!

To be honest I don't know I have never been faced with this. What was on my mind was you will lose them if you don't pot on, so you are just as well potting them up

Quotethe rest are all starting to sprout but not so bad theyll be about an inch by the first of April which is my onion planting day (weather permitting)

Can you tell me a bit about how you are storing them?

This is how I store mine;

The first picture shows them hung up in the greenhouse.

The Shallots in the bag have been there since September when I bought them at a flower and vegetable show so these are selected stock.

I believe they are the variety ‘Topper’



The Second picture is my onions sets, these are 'selected' Sturon.

Some time ago someone asked what is the difference between selected and normal setts as you can see they are all the same size rather than mixed sizes. I took delivery of these in late January



The third picture is my stock awaiting planting out scheduled for the first week in May.

As you might be able to see in the top bag one or two are sprouting.

If this sprouting escalates I might fetch this date forward, i.e. if this weather stays as it is at the moment and warms up the ground.

The reason I suggested you set em out now is  unlike normal onions  Red onion sets   seem really succeptible to bolting /going to seed..
I think Setting  them in pots and then transplanting to garden  you will enhance your chances of this happening ..See what others think ..Cheers Jim

I planted out my onion sets last weekend - red brunswick, & Centurion (white onion)

QuoteSee what others think ..Cheers Jim

I agree Jim! Onions are subject to this when moved as you say, and if they are allowed to dry out.

Thats why mines are still in their bags