leaks and onions that are going to seed

Hi
Last year they did ok although the leaks had too much leaf area and not enough stem .This year for some rason they are going to seed despite the fact I put plenty of organic matter in the soil and growmore.Vey disappointing,Any idea as to what I can do to avoid a recurrence next time? Thanks

 

I usually have a few onions and/or leeks bolt each year. The onions with thick stems early on are the most likely to do it. A plant that bolts has got the message it needs to run to seed quickly, caused by some kind of stress. With other plants e.g spinach, it's usually lack of water. So, all I can suggest is that you make sure your onions and leeks are never checked by lack of water in their early stages.
U

 

My onions etc have been very good this year, I think that feeding them may be the mistake, unless your soil is absolutely awful, after an initial feed when planting they may be better off on skinny rations. also a good tip for onions given to me by a Devon man with enormous onions, sprinkle some caustic soda around the bulb, not touching, but the high alkaline apparently sharpens the flavour and keeps them pure white.

 

Boveytracey, are you sure he said CAUSTIC soda and not Nitrate of soda? :eek:

 

I know, I was surprised at the time, but yes caustic soda crystals, I did try it, and it seemed to help, but I haven't done it again. I suppose if you have very acid soil it may make more difference, but I have not been in situation where it would be "necessary" since.

 

Boveytracey, trust me when I say, Onions DO NOT want alkaline soil. They are leafy plants which need ACIDIC soil. Acidic soil is high in nitrogen which is what is needed to produce leaf growth. So you use either Nitrate of Soda or Sulphate of Ammonia to encourage this.:thumb:

 

Onions are pretty tolerant and will grow in most places. But I've always understood they do best in soil with a pH above 6.5 - and that's alkaline. A quick Google confirms this.

 

Not sure about ideal pH for onions, but technically alkaline is any pH over 7, while acidic is any pH less than 7
(Hope that's not annoyingly pedantic of me, but as a science geek felt compelled to point out that pH 6.5 is mildly acidic, not alkaline :o )

 

Exactly my point. Onions do best in soil with a pH above the slightly acidic 6.5 i.e. soil that's getting into the alkaline range. Perhaps my wording was a little imprecise. Check out this BBC link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingonions2.shtml

 

My last years onion crop was a total dister but this year I was prepared.

 

I prepared a box on the allotment for my onions.

 

wow you've done great fancy! Im having trouble since I earthed up my onions due to my lack of knowledge and i've now unearthed them and am praying for the bulbing to begin!

Think i've got any chance??

 

wow you have good eyes! I hadnt seen those flowers, I shall get them tonight!! I have been pulling off flower heads as they appear!

 

Hi sorry to take so long to respond, been busy. Thinking about it weeds may have had something to do with it as I let them get too out of hand although I had the same last year without similar problems. actually my onioins are doujg better than my leaks which appear to be a disaster. I didnt earth them up either