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growing onions

Sandra westSandra west Posts: 2
in Talkback

I had a new veg trug last autumn and in early spring planted red and white onions. These have grown well and are about 12" tall but now they appears to have flower heads shooting up.   What should I do about them, leave or cut them off - is this what bolting means?  Help would be much appreciated as I am new to growing vegetables

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Yes, they are bolting Sandra.  Cut the flowering stems off and the bulb should keep growing, but those which have done this won't store well so use them first.  If you grew them from onions sets (small onions), look for 'heat treated' ones next spring as those are far less likely to bolt.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Red onions, I find, are particular susceptible to going to seed (bolting). It usually means the onions have been subject to some sort of stress. Usually lack of water at some time.



    Cut off the flower stalk and leave them to continue growing, but use those onions first as they will not store.



    As soon as your onions are a usable size, use them straight from the garden. Green leaves and all.
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Bob, two minds but with a single thought!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    We seem to know our onions, Welshonion! image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Sandra westSandra west Posts: 2

    thanks to everyone, what a great way to learn how to garden - raining of course at the moment but will be out there shortly to cut them down.  Sandra

  • saggiesaggie Posts: 4

    Last year for the first time all my onions and some leeks had neck-rot fungus, slimy neck and mildew-mouldy layers.  Yuck.  There is no official fungicide for vegetables now.  Can Rose Clear be used, while they're in growth and long before they'll be eaten, or is there another concoction that will keep the fungus at bay?  I have made the effort to keep the plants almost weed-free, and at this stage they look pretty good - but that's what happened last year.

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