onion sets

  • 8 Replies
  • 3145 Views
*

mjg000

  • Winner, Prettiest Pumpkin - 2015
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: West London
  • 749
onion sets
« on: January 19, 2015, 16:32 »
 I have got 2 bags of autumn planting onion sets sitting in my shed - life took over and I didn't get them planted last Autumn - my question is:  Can I plant them in Spring, or have I missed the boat altogether? mjg000

*

Plot_29@_Lady_Mary

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Location: Cardiff
  • 70
Re: onion sets
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2015, 17:55 »
As long as the sets are still viable, i.e. not rotting, I would drop them in and see what happens. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. :D

*

BabbyAnn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: nottinghamshire
  • 1478
Re: onion sets
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2015, 09:05 »
I think it is too late to plant out directly now as the soil temperature will be too cold - it might be more work but how about planting them in individual pots/modules and get them to start growing roots in a cool (not cold) room indoors first.  Then move them outside during a mild spell and eventually plant out when the weather isn't so icy.  You only need about an inch or two of top growth until early spring (but better than none) and when it warms up, that's when the real growth starts anyway.   

*

TheWhiteRabbit

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Coventry
  • 441
Re: onion sets
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2015, 09:47 »
I'd grab a few cat litter trays, fill them with compost and sit the sets in that in an unheated greenhouse. In fact I've got a pile of Senshyu sets left over and might do exactly that!

*

Salmo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Peterborough
  • 3787
Re: onion sets
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2015, 09:02 »
The only difference between Autumn varieties and Spring varieties is that Autumn varieties bulb up as the days get longer and Spring ones wait to bulb up as the days get longer i.e. after the longest day.

Onions planted in the Autumn start to bulb up in the Spring and are ripening by about June. The advice you have been given to plant them in modules to get them started is good. You probably will not get huge onions as they will have only a short season to grow as they will want to start bulbing up before they are any size.

My advice would be to cut your losses and invest in a good Spring variety.

*

Fairy Plotmother

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: West London
  • 2940
Re: onion sets
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2015, 10:49 »
Have a go! See what happens.

*

mjg000

  • Winner, Prettiest Pumpkin - 2015
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Location: West London
  • 749
Re: onion sets
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2015, 13:51 »
Thanks for advice everyone, didn't know the different day lengths was what effects the onions ability to "bulb up" so even though they will probably be small I will have a go at getting them started in trays and see how big they get. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!  I was already planning on planting out some summer onions as well.

*

Fairy Plotmother

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: West London
  • 2940
Re: onion sets
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2015, 14:01 »
I bought some sets this morning.....I couldn't help myself! :nowink:

*

Dave NE

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Whitley Bay
  • 281
Re: onion sets
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2015, 16:29 »
I bought some a week or two ago for 20p per bag, sure they are autumn sowing but I have them in bakers trays with mp compost and chicken wire over the top to stop the birds pecking them, fingers crossed, Dave
Today i will be mainly wearing no trousers



xx
onion seeds or onion sets!

Started by toptonk on Grow Your Own

11 Replies
5500 Views
Last post February 15, 2007, 17:24
by yummy
xx
where can i buy onion sets

Started by chili on Grow Your Own

9 Replies
1834 Views
Last post September 14, 2009, 19:38
by mashauk
xx
Onion sets

Started by Snowboar on Grow Your Own

3 Replies
923 Views
Last post December 14, 2021, 00:25
by Snowboar
xx
Onion sets

Started by purplebean on Grow Your Own

27 Replies
7164 Views
Last post January 07, 2012, 18:27
by gobs
 

Page created in 0.37 seconds with 39 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |