Onion bolting

Hi all,
Some of my onions have part bolted. When I say part, they have produced a triangle shaped cap but no flowers. I have removed these now but can't find any info on whether I can leave these to continue growing or have to use them now? Most literature states bolting as flowering so I'm not sure if I've caught these in time? Any advice would be much appreciated
Jo

 

I'm assuming you are describing the flower buds.
Once they put up that thick, circular in section, stem the bulb will stop growing.

The onions are still edible but won't store well at the end of the season.

 

I would just leave alone now ... but use these first

 

Thank you. I'm presuming there's no way of preventing it? Seems that it's more on my red onions than white. What a shame!

 

Any of my onions that run to seed get pulled up for immediate use.
All the white one's are growing on nicely, but some of the reds are getting pulled.

 

Sometimes I might have around 100 onions growing when lots start bolting, but I remove the flowers as they appear and tie a pieces of string to identify the bulbs that need using first, many of which will still be insitu when the non bolting ones are harvested and they are easily separated from the ones to be stored for longer.

This year I haven't grown any Autumn planted sets (yellow, have given up on red), but planted Wilkos Turbo Spring planting sets and not a single one has bolted.

P.S. Hens like to eat the spikes but they require chopping into small pieces.

 

its weather related as well (too hot too cold) also if you dont regualry water and they get a check in growing ... to be honest I cant remember a time when I have grown them that some always bolted , I just used to pull out and use straight away

 

Thanks all.. Monty mentioned it on 'Jobs to do this weekend' so I'm gathering its quite a common occurrence. I tried the stalk and they are actually delicious! Very sweet so they won't go to waste