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Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
Every year I have bought onion sets and have had a reasonable success rate
but I am considering, for the coming year, growing from seed. Has anyone any experience of this and can advise me of the advantages and the disadvantages.- and, perhaps, suggest any particular variety? I have looke4d at the on-line catalogues but can't really make up my mind which to go for. My reasons or wanting to change this year is that, the sets always get too many small onions that never seem to do very well and, though they grow, they remain fairly small. Also, I have no idea what type of onion they are (this is because I buy them from my allotment shop and they don't seem certain as to the type they've bought!!!) As regards the position of my garden (which may well make a difference as to what varieties I can grow) I live in Sussex, not far from the coast. Regards, John |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
In article ,
"John Vanini" wrote: Every year I have bought onion sets and have had a reasonable success rate but I am considering, for the coming year, growing from seed. Has anyone any experience of this and can advise me of the advantages and the disadvantages.- and, perhaps, suggest any particular variety? I have looke4d at the on-line catalogues but can't really make up my mind which to go for. My reasons or wanting to change this year is that, the sets always get too many small onions that never seem to do very well and, though they grow, they remain fairly small. Also, I have no idea what type of onion they are (this is because I buy them from my allotment shop and they don't seem certain as to the type they've bought!!!) As regards the position of my garden (which may well make a difference as to what varieties I can grow) I live in Sussex, not far from the coast. Regards, John I've never grown onions from purchased sets, but my domestic Scallions come back every year from seeds while the wild ones come back from sets. The wild ones are weird. The blossoms create sets rather than seeds on the top of the plant. I'm still learning about Onions! I originally harvested the wild ones locally next to a river in Georgetown Texas. Too late this year to take pics. I must remember next spring. -- Peace, Om Remove _ to validate e-mails. "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
On Jul 19, 1:48 am, "John Vanini" wrote:
Every year I have bought onion sets and have had a reasonable success rate but I am considering, for the coming year, growing from seed. Has anyone any experience of this and can advise me of the advantages and the disadvantages.- and, perhaps, suggest any particular variety? I have looke4d at the on-line catalogues but can't really make up my mind which to go for. My reasons or wanting to change this year is that, the sets always get too many small onions that never seem to do very well and, though they grow, they remain fairly small. Also, I have no idea what type of onion they are (this is because I buy them from my allotment shop and they don't seem certain as to the type they've bought!!!) As regards the position of my garden (which may well make a difference as to what varieties I can grow) I live in Sussex, not far from the coast. Regards, John I've tried both bunching onions and florence red from seed. Fairly easy but you got to start early. They're pretty easy to transplant if you don't mind little tiny plants that's just a stem and roots. I transplant them while the seed coat is still attached. |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
On Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:20:18 -0700, Omelet wrote:
I've never grown onions from purchased sets, but my domestic Scallions come back every year from seeds while the wild ones come back from sets. The wild ones are weird. The blossoms create sets rather than seeds on the top of the plant. I'm still learning about Onions! I originally harvested the wild ones locally next to a river in Georgetown Texas. Too late this year to take pics. I must remember next spring. Sounds like Catawissa onions, a native American type of walking onion very similar to the Old World native Egyptian onion. Lorenzo L. Love http://home.thegrid.net/~lllove “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Cicero |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
Thanks for your replies! Here, in England, I've never heard of a 'walking'
onion so exactly what does it do - how does it walk???? Could be a bit unnerving to see a herd (flock? gaggle? pride? school?) of these crossing the road when you're driving along minding your own business!!! Only kidding! But it brought so ,many amusing pictures into my mind!!! We are growing tree-onions, which produces, firstly, a strong stem and at the top of that a cluster of small bulbs. These appear green initially but then turn brownish-red. They grow to about the size of a small gooseberry. The onions also grow stems with proper onion flowers which turn to seed. But you probably knew all that anyway!! I will grow my own onions from seed next year where I have a more varieties to choose from. What started me on this idea was that I ran short of onions from the set so had to but small onion seedlings, rather as James said, and I wanted to try it, My regards to all and thank you again! John |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
In article op.tvqjm7i0pheghf@ibm22761843607,
"Lorenzo L. Love" wrote: On Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:20:18 -0700, Omelet wrote: I've never grown onions from purchased sets, but my domestic Scallions come back every year from seeds while the wild ones come back from sets. The wild ones are weird. The blossoms create sets rather than seeds on the top of the plant. I'm still learning about Onions! I originally harvested the wild ones locally next to a river in Georgetown Texas. Too late this year to take pics. I must remember next spring. Sounds like Catawissa onions, a native American type of walking onion very similar to the Old World native Egyptian onion. Lorenzo L. Love I've heard them called "walking onions" in the past. :-) The Border Collie has cut my patch size down a bit so I did not harvest any this year. I let them all go to top sets, and re-fenced an area off for them. -- Peace, Om Remove _ to validate e-mails. "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
In article ,
"John Vanini" wrote: Thanks for your replies! Here, in England, I've never heard of a 'walking' onion so exactly what does it do - how does it walk???? Could be a bit unnerving to see a herd (flock? gaggle? pride? school?) of these crossing the road when you're driving along minding your own business!!! Only kidding! But it brought so ,many amusing pictures into my mind!!! The blooms produce actual mini-"sets" rather than seeds. They will sprout wherever they fall but they are only "spring" onions. I start seeing the greens sprout in late winter, then they bloom and set in the spring and are totally invisible the rest of the year. They must be harvested for eating prior to blooming or they have no flavor. Due to their reproductive habits, they tend to "walk" from their original planting spot. I used to have a lot more until we got the border collie. I'd get tears mowing the lawn! She tends to stomp all greenery to death as she is a bit hyperactive. I did some googling and the onions I have are very small and short, like commercial Scallions so it looks like they are really the egyptian walking onions, not the larger variety. -- Peace, Om Remove _ to validate e-mails. "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
In article ,
Omelet wrote: In article op.tvqjm7i0pheghf@ibm22761843607, "Lorenzo L. Love" wrote: On Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:20:18 -0700, Omelet wrote: I've never grown onions from purchased sets, but my domestic Scallions come back every year from seeds while the wild ones come back from sets. The wild ones are weird. The blossoms create sets rather than seeds on the top of the plant. I'm still learning about Onions! I originally harvested the wild ones locally next to a river in Georgetown Texas. Too late this year to take pics. I must remember next spring. Sounds like Catawissa onions, a native American type of walking onion very similar to the Old World native Egyptian onion. Lorenzo L. Love I've heard them called "walking onions" in the past. :-) The Border Collie has cut my patch size down a bit so I did not harvest any this year. I let them all go to top sets, and re-fenced an area off for them. My McNabb's penchant for rutting in the lettuce patch was curbed with a motion activated sprinkler. Smart dogs. -- Billy http://angryarab.blogspot.com/ |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:47:10 -0700, John Vanini
wrote: Thanks for your replies! Here, in England, I've never heard of a 'walking' onion so exactly what does it do - how does it walk???? Could be a bit unnerving to see a herd (flock? gaggle? pride? school?) of these crossing the road when you're driving along minding your own business!!! Only kidding! But it brought so ,many amusing pictures into my mind!!! We are growing tree-onions, which produces, firstly, a strong stem and at the top of that a cluster of small bulbs. These appear green initially but then turn brownish-red. They grow to about the size of a small gooseberry. The onions also grow stems with proper onion flowers which turn to seed. But you probably knew all that anyway!! I will grow my own onions from seed next year where I have a more varieties to choose from. What started me on this idea was that I ran short of onions from the set so had to but small onion seedlings, rather as James said, and I wanted to try it, My regards to all and thank you again! John Ever read "The Day of the Triffids"? Not quite like that. Walking Onion, tree onion, same, same. That tall stem will break and land the bulblets (the proper name for the top bulbs) a step away. Each generation will advance a step. A slow walk but plants are patient. Lorenzo L. Love http://home.thegrid.net/~lllove "You can complain because rosebushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Lao Tse (b. 604 BC) |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
I do not have any luck with sets due to the fact I have a big allotment and
a lot of birds that pull them out . Likewise the sets availible in the garden ceentres ect. do not give you much selection. I grow from seed every year Variaties Kelsea very big Mamouth Red (Robinsons and for smaller Onions I use a thompson Morgan variaty that gives you bulbs about 4oz in weight ideal for the kitchen. It is a long process for good results starting in Late December in an unheated greenhouse for best results. Go to the Mamouth Onion Site for full culteral instructions and good seed It is well worth the effort. "Lorenzo L. Love" wrote in message news:op.tvr3z4lnpheghf@ibm22761843607... On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:47:10 -0700, John Vanini wrote: Thanks for your replies! Here, in England, I've never heard of a 'walking' onion so exactly what does it do - how does it walk???? Could be a bit unnerving to see a herd (flock? gaggle? pride? school?) of these crossing the road when you're driving along minding your own business!!! Only kidding! But it brought so ,many amusing pictures into my mind!!! We are growing tree-onions, which produces, firstly, a strong stem and at the top of that a cluster of small bulbs. These appear green initially but then turn brownish-red. They grow to about the size of a small gooseberry. The onions also grow stems with proper onion flowers which turn to seed. But you probably knew all that anyway!! I will grow my own onions from seed next year where I have a more varieties to choose from. What started me on this idea was that I ran short of onions from the set so had to but small onion seedlings, rather as James said, and I wanted to try it, My regards to all and thank you again! John Ever read "The Day of the Triffids"? Not quite like that. Walking Onion, tree onion, same, same. That tall stem will break and land the bulblets (the proper name for the top bulbs) a step away. Each generation will advance a step. A slow walk but plants are patient. Lorenzo L. Love http://home.thegrid.net/~lllove "You can complain because rosebushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Lao Tse (b. 604 BC) |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
In article
, Billy Rose wrote: I've heard them called "walking onions" in the past. :-) The Border Collie has cut my patch size down a bit so I did not harvest any this year. I let them all go to top sets, and re-fenced an area off for them. My McNabb's penchant for rutting in the lettuce patch was curbed with a motion activated sprinkler. Smart dogs. -- Billy In her case, it's not a matter of rutting in the veggies. It's a matter of "running with the demons". ;-) BC's are very active dogs. A hotwire kept her off the fenceline. -- Peace, Om Remove _ to validate e-mails. "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
In article ,
Omelet wrote: In article , Billy Rose wrote: I've heard them called "walking onions" in the past. :-) The Border Collie has cut my patch size down a bit so I did not harvest any this year. I let them all go to top sets, and re-fenced an area off for them. My McNabb's penchant for rutting in the lettuce patch was curbed with a motion activated sprinkler. Smart dogs. -- Billy In her case, it's not a matter of rutting in the veggies. It's a matter of "running with the demons". ;-) BC's are very active dogs. A hotwire kept her off the fenceline. Hope you have a good sized yard. Our short-haired Border collie (McNabb) will come running up the hill and then he runs out of hill and just keeps going up, like in a cartoon. Smart dog. They can read eye commands very well. He plays the weirdest game of Frisbee. He fights you for it, then when it's throw, he chases it down and then proceeds to beat the snot out of it for ten, fifteen minutes. Then he comes back and taunts you with it again. A sweet dog who is always plotting with our German shepherd on how to score on the cat's bowl or our dinner, if we give them the opportunity. -- Billy http://angryarab.blogspot.com/ |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
In article
, Billy Rose wrote: In her case, it's not a matter of rutting in the veggies. It's a matter of "running with the demons". ;-) BC's are very active dogs. A hotwire kept her off the fenceline. Hope you have a good sized yard. Our short-haired Border collie (McNabb) will come running up the hill and then he runs out of hill and just keeps going up, like in a cartoon. Smart dog. They can read eye commands very well. He plays the weirdest game of Frisbee. He fights you for it, then when it's throw, he chases it down and then proceeds to beat the snot out of it for ten, fifteen minutes. Then he comes back and taunts you with it again. A sweet dog who is always plotting with our German shepherd on how to score on the cat's bowl or our dinner, if we give them the opportunity. -- Billy 0.22 acres, fully fenced. It's barely enough. Border collies never quit moving unless they are snoozing. ;-) She has helped my sisters corgie to lose some weight! Right now the front yard is flooded and muddy, so so is the Border Collie! Ugh. I might have to take the garden hose to her if she does not clean herself up tonight. Some of the collie breeds actually do a lot of self-cleaning like a cat does. -- Peace, Om Remove _ to validate e-mails. "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
Thanks Lorenzo,
I thought they might be the same. I can see where the 'walking' bit comes from!! Regards, John "Lorenzo L. Love" wrote in message news:op.tvr3z4lnpheghf@ibm22761843607... Ever read "The Day of the Triffids"? Not quite like that. Walking Onion, tree onion, same, same. That tall stem will break and land the bulblets (the proper name for the top bulbs) a step away. Each generation will advance a step. A slow walk but plants are patient. Lorenzo L. Love |
Quote:
The seed grown onions are still fully upright and continuing to grow while the sets have all collapsed and i am now having to harvest early - some are a good size (5" across) but smaller and less consistent than the seed variety. Unfortunately Ailsa craig are not renownd for keeping so will be growing Red baron and Rinjsberger from seed next year. |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
That's very interesting! Thanks for the info.
I planted a set but ran short of onions so bought some young plants/seedlings from a local nursery. With all the rain all the onions are blackened and will have to be pulled up before they rot but the bought young plants are definitely far healthier than the set. I intend to grow Red Baron and had thought of Ailsa Craig but in view of what you said about them keeping will look into other varieties. We also plant what is known on the Allotments as "Japanese Onions" - no one has ever queried what variety these are (I certainly haven't and those I asked didn't know what they were other than "Japanese Onions"! Well, they didn't do very well at all this year, due, again, to the heavy rains so I'm planning on growing "Hi Keeper F1" over winter instead. Who knows, however, we may have a drought next year just like last! Regards John "JNTDAD" wrote in message ... I have grown sets this year (Sturon, Setton and Red baron) due to local damp conditions half the sets have grown to a reasonable size but about 50% have either bolted or the leaves have folded over early preventing further growth - these have then lain on the wet ground and started to rot. I have also grown Ailsa Craig from seed - started in Feb under heated conditions in seed tray (on kitchen window sill) and when about 2.5" tall planted out 6" apart in final place in garden The seed grown onions are still fully upright and continuing to grow while the sets have all collapsed and I am now having to harvest early - some are a good size (5" across) but smaller and less consistent than the seed variety. Unfortunately Ailsa craig are not renowned for keeping so will be growing Red baron and Rinjsberger from seed next year. -- JNTDAD |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
Sounds like Catawissa onions, a native American type of walking onion
very similar to the Old World native Egyptian onion. Well, native as in "bred in the Americas" (in 1885) not as in "in the Americas before Europeans arrived". http://www.garys-genealogy.com/id85.htm http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALPR6 |
Onion Seeds versus Onion Sets
On Jul 19, 1:48 am, "John Vanini" wrote:
Every year I have bought onion sets and have had a reasonable success rate but I am considering, for the coming year, growing from seed. Has anyone any experience of this and can advise me of the advantages and the disadvantages.- and, perhaps, suggest any particular variety? I have looke4d at the on-line catalogues but can't really make up my mind which to go for. My reasons or wanting to change this year is that, the sets always get too many small onions that never seem to do very well and, though they grow, they remain fairly small. Also, I have no idea what type of onion they are (this is because I buy them from my allotment shop and they don't seem certain as to the type they've bought!!!) As regards the position of my garden (which may well make a difference as to what varieties I can grow) I live in Sussex, not far from the coast. Regards, John My experience, fwitw: 1) onion seeds deactivate faster than other seeds, so try and get this year's seeds for sure if you go that route, and don't count too heavily on saving any extra for next year. I keep mine sealed in a dried environment in the fridge, and after two years they're like all dead, whereas other seeds seem to last almost forever. 2) onions come in 2 general varieties, long day and short day, optimized for northern and southern (US anyway) climates as to when they mature, respectively. If you plant short day onions in the north, they will start to mature too early in the season when the days hit like 12 hours before they had a chance to really grow, because the growing season started later than down south. On the other hand, if you plant long day onions in the south, they will not really ever fully mature, as they keep waiting for those 16 hour days to tell them it's June 22 and it's time to start making a bulb. There are also intermediate day varieties. Surprisingly few places know this, or know what kind they are selling. For instance, Wethersfield is a long day onion, which I can only remember because it was developed in Wethersfield, CT, i.e. the north. Anyway, that might be part of your problem, wrong variety for your location. |
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