Help mold on my onion sets

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Notty1975, Mar 15, 2018.

  1. Notty1975

    Notty1975 Gardener

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    1F4CF423-5B5D-41F6-9F99-3CCE5E9026AE.jpeg 88478770-0FEA-4C60-901E-94CA8414645C.jpeg Hi all started my sets around 3 weeks ago in 3” pots they have been in the un heated part of the greenhouse and as the pictures show they are growing quite well but have this mold on is this normal and any advice would be great as I have around 250 sets like it (2 white centurion and turbo and Red Baron)
     
  2. Vince

    Vince Not so well known for it.

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    Hi Notty, it looks like onion white rot in which case, like me, you're doomed! (Well your onions are.)
    Nothing you can do about it but burn any infected. Don't plant out into the garden, white rot can remain in the soil for 8 years or more. Sorry.
     
  3. Freddy

    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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    It could be, but I’m not so sure? I thought white rot started from the base? If it were me, I’d ditch any that look dodgy and keep on the lookout for any others that look suspect. Don’t plant though until you’re sure they look healthy because once it’s in the soil, that’s it for quite a few years, the soil will be infected.
     
  4. pete

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

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    Pull one up and see if the mould is affecting the actual bulb.
    Or is it just the brown outside skin beginning to rot in the damp compost.
     
  5. Notty1975

    Notty1975 Gardener

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    I did pull one up and the first layer of skin fell of along with the mold the roots are very strong and about 2” long the bulb felt very firm and apart from the green mold they seem very healthy
     
  6. pete

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

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    Well I'm no expert on white rot, but to me it looks like mildew growing on the brown skins.
     
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    • Notty1975

      Notty1975 Gardener

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      It is definitely green not white what can it do to see if it is mildew
      Thanks for all the help everyone
       
    • pete

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

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      Mildew is just my way of describing that kind of fungus, probably not technically Mildew as such, but looks like how the bread goes if you keep it too long.:biggrin:
       
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      • Notty1975

        Notty1975 Gardener

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        Is there anything I can do or do I just bin the lot of them
         
      • Freddy

        Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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        If it were me, I’d bin the ones that are affected, the rest I would put outside during the day (weather permitting) to allow for some fresh air.
         
      • Notty1975

        Notty1975 Gardener

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        They all seem to have it any idea what I did wrong it was fresh multi purpose compost and only watered when felt dry
         
      • Freddy

        Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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        My guess would be lack of ventilation, which is why I suggested putting them outside.
         
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        • Notty1975

          Notty1975 Gardener

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          Unless there’s a way of saving them then looks like new sets are needed
           
        • Freddy

          Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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          @pete , you reckon there’s anything he can do, considering they all have it?
           
        • pete

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

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          I'd go along with your suggestion of moving them outside Freddy.
          But keep them frost free.

          I know I would not bin them if the mould is only surface mould and the bulbs are not soft and slimy.
           
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