Onion Growing 2022

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Dec 28, 2021.

  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I sowed my onion and shallot seed today. I'm having another go at giant onions as I have seed from last year of Kelsae and Ailsae. Also growing Mammoth Red plus a few normal sized varieties:
    Red Brunswick
    Golden Bear
    Shallot Zebrune (Banana shallot)
     
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    • Michael Hewett

      Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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      I want to try growing onions again this year but I don't get much success with sets. I've never tried them from seeds, Is that the best way to grow them ? I just want ordinary ones though.
       
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        It is best from seed @Michael Hewett as they don't bolt so readily like sets do. They do need an early start, I sowed Golden Bear last year at the end of February which was a bit late, it's a nice normal variety that stores well.
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          For me seed grown onions are more reliable than sets which I also find tend to bolt.
          I just use those cell trays with a pinch of seed in each cell.
          Sown in a greenhouse in early February, I don't have lights, they can stay in the trays until planting out in early April.
          I plant them without breaking up each clump of plants.
          Get medium sized onions, I don't really need big ones.
           
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          • JJ28

            JJ28 Gardener

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            I have been itching to just sow some seed for a while - starting off seed trays means spring is on the way. I have managed to resist so far.....but have just learnt that onion seeds can be sown now!!!! So, it'll be onions this year then, off to garden centre this afternoon :-)
             
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            • Michael Hewett

              Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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              Thanks @pete and @JWK for your good advice :dbgrtmb:
               
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              • Hanglow

                Hanglow Super Gardener

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                I sow indoors at end of February for my onions, then when germinated they go into the unheated greenhouse. I don't grow large/exhibition onions though, I would have started them now if so. They do get fleeced for a few weeks when planted out.

                This year I have santero F1 for my main crop keeping onions, then Walla walla as a sweet onion, white Lisbon for spring onions and also zebrune shallot. All module multi sown
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Walla Walla, not heard of that, have you grown it before, sweet onions are something I like, but not grown any for a while.
                   
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                  • Hanglow

                    Hanglow Super Gardener

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                    I've not, no. Got the seeds from premier seeds direct, will see how they do
                     
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                    • JWK

                      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                      About half of my varieties have germinated and are now under grow lamps. That's the easy bit done.
                       
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                      • Vince

                        Vince Not so well known for it.

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                        I've noticed D.T. Brown are now selling Kelsae seed, now produced in the UK, but at a much higher price than before the Italian thunderstorm that nearly wiped out all the seed plants.
                         
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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          They also sell Kelsae plants, in case you haven't got your seeds going by now. I recall someone on here said they tried them once and they were pretty tiny plants that were delivered - could have been @Scrungee ?
                           
                        • Vince

                          Vince Not so well known for it.

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                          I tried them once John and indeed they were on the small size. I won't be growing them here in London (onion white rot). I will grow them in my garden in Lincolnshire but not for another year or two when I retire there.
                           
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                          • Hanglow

                            Hanglow Super Gardener

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                            That's all my onions sown now, 30 multisown cells of santero and hytec, 10 walla walla, 10 white lisbon and 10 zebrune shallot. Assuming i get good germination after thinning should have 350 onions in total.
                             
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