I grew Robinsons mammoth red last year. Not too bad for a first attempt at growing from seed. Have to admit though I had better results with " electric " red sets.
I have grown variouse types of onions, from sets and seed, and all have done quite well except for last year when every single one of the Sturon I planted (sets) got white rot. The Zebrune shallots in the next bed were perfect in every way, and to my mind have a better taste than any onion I have grown before. I have sown Zebrune again this year in 3 inch deep trays of John Innes No 3 topped with a layer of John Innes seed compost and they are doing well. I cover the trays with cling film (untill they sprout) and put them on a sunny windowsill. As with my chilli seeds and tomatoe seeds, I sowed them on January the first.
Mel i love shallots. I'm attempting to grow 'Hative de Niort' this year as some friends have grown them and had good results. Also banana shallots for no other reason than i got some sent to me by accident by a seed supplier
Is John Innes No.3 not a little on the strong side for them ? Or is that the reason for the topping of John Innes seed compost over the top to get them accustomed ?
Hi Vegboy. I used this John Innes method last year with no ill efects on the plants. I also use common compost if I run out of No 3, again with no ill effects on the plants. You should not be disapointed with the banana shallots. Several shallots are now termed 'banana' but the true one is Zebrune. All it really means is that they are larger than standard shallots, this dependent on spacing. I space mine 4 inches apart which provides a nice sized shallot which is easy to weed around.
Grannybee, 15-18c does for germinating onions then grow them on cool but frost free, prick out as soon as practicable and harden off before planting out in late March/early April. Keep an eye on the weather and cover if frost threatens. I now keep a supply of old newspapers for this job but make sure to lift in the morning and if really wet, compost, if not reuse. If you top dress your onion bed with a high potash feed at the planting out stage, taking care not to overfeed or get on the seedlings, you will get a larger and milder bulb. Planting distance 4-6 inches with 9 inches between rows. If you plant them running North/South you can sow a row of carrots between the onions as carrot fly don't like alliums and onion fly don't like carrots. If you use this strategy, plant onion rows 16 inches apart and interplant your carrots. Keep onions well weeded as they don't tolerate being outcompeted or shaded out
I think that although we might all do things slightly differently (as in baking a cake) the guiding principles remain constant---Early start---Good soil---Careful planting---Lots of TLC!!
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I've found that they don't like too much water. Keep them a little on the dry side for best results. Also don't be in a rush to pot up too soon.
I have sown Robinsons Mammoth white and Mammoth red.
I grew Robinsons mammoth red last year. Not too bad for a first attempt at growing from seed. Have to admit though I had better results with " electric " red sets.
I have grown variouse types of onions, from sets and seed, and all have done quite well except for last year when every single one of the Sturon I planted (sets) got white rot. The Zebrune shallots in the next bed were perfect in every way, and to my mind have a better taste than any onion I have grown before. I have sown Zebrune again this year in 3 inch deep trays of John Innes No 3 topped with a layer of John Innes seed compost and they are doing well. I cover the trays with cling film (untill they sprout) and put them on a sunny windowsill. As with my chilli seeds and tomatoe seeds, I sowed them on January the first.
Mel i love shallots. I'm attempting to grow 'Hative de Niort' this year as some friends have grown them and had good results. Also banana shallots for no other reason than i got some sent to me by accident by a seed supplier
Is John Innes No.3 not a little on the strong side for them ? Or is that the reason for the topping of John Innes seed compost over the top to get them accustomed ?
Hi Vegboy. I used this John Innes method last year with no ill efects on the plants. I also use common compost if I run out of No 3, again with no ill effects on the plants. You should not be disapointed with the banana shallots. Several shallots are now termed 'banana' but the true one is Zebrune. All it really means is that they are larger than standard shallots, this dependent on spacing. I space mine 4 inches apart which provides a nice sized shallot which is easy to weed around.
Grannybee, 15-18c does for germinating onions then grow them on cool but frost free, prick out as soon as practicable and harden off before planting out in late March/early April. Keep an eye on the weather and cover if frost threatens. I now keep a supply of old newspapers for this job but make sure to lift in the morning and if really wet, compost, if not reuse. If you top dress your onion bed with a high potash feed at the planting out stage, taking care not to overfeed or get on the seedlings, you will get a larger and milder bulb. Planting distance 4-6 inches with 9 inches between rows. If you plant them running North/South you can sow a row of carrots between the onions as carrot fly don't like alliums and onion fly don't like carrots. If you use this strategy, plant onion rows 16 inches apart and interplant your carrots. Keep onions well weeded as they don't tolerate being outcompeted or shaded out
I think that although we might all do things slightly differently (as in baking a cake) the guiding principles remain constant---Early start---Good soil---Careful planting---Lots of TLC!!
Which show is it that you are entering Edd ?
What class / category ?