why do onions bolt early?

Hi green fingers' all... [My first post] ....did a brief search of the site but could not find a question like the one below so here goes... I planted a dozen rows of onions which are now about four inches dia BUT most of the red ones have bolted whilst none of the white ones have. Sad, because my friend who shares the allotment with me and who provided the red sets, loves them in his salad sandwiches, is disheartened. The owner of the adjoining allotment had the same problem with all her red onions and has sadly, consigned them to the compost tip. Any suggestions as to why only the red ones have bolted and how can it be prevented in future? dave dee

 

Hi DD

Welcome to the forum.

It used to be said that extreme variations in weather would induce bolting, the plant is stressed and so it makes up its mind to run to seed without further delay. But some varieties just bolt more readily than others. I think it's a downside of their breeding to be a bit different in some way. Red onions are not the only ones - Japanese onions used to be a bit risky too.

That said, even well establshed favourites like Sturon can give you the odd bolter now and again but not a whole crop.

 

Possibly the red sets were not heat treated, they do that to stop them bolting. Have grown 5 lots of sets & one packet straight from seed this year, only had 1 plant bolt.

 

How about growing from seed.

I dont bother with sets anymore they seem very variable these days regarding quality and also you quite often get a few rotten ones in the bag.:(

I find seed grown have much less tendency to bolt and you get more choice of variety

 

Like Pete-Grow from seed, not sets is the best advice I can give.

 

I grew from seed down at the West Bay plot, but in our own garden it was a mad rush to turn it from building site to veg plot in time for the season, hence the sets. Got a bargain on them though, I was so late getting them they had been reduced to 2 bags for a £1.

 

Hi Dave Dee. What a shame about your onions.
I grow my red onions from sets and have never had them bolt.
The variety I grow is Red Baron.
I find them so dependable and grow some shoulder to shoulder to use as spring onions while waiting for the real thing.
The ones not used as I go along store for months.
Sorry I can't offer advice other than the variety. I don't do anything special. Just plant, wait and enjoy.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies, I will pass the thread on to my friend and let him decide what action to take to prevent this happening. Maybe I will try the seed option rather than using sets next year & see how they do.... Cheers Dave.