[Lardman]

6 years and this is this best I have done !

What on earth am I doing / not doing which is stopping them growing? Those were sown 1 month apart, 1 with a growbag contents the other with multi-purp, with fresh seeds from a major retailer.

Im at the stage now where I will buy a bag of top soil, seed compost, peat free compost or moon dust just to grow spring onions if the collective think it would work.   

[JayG]

Did the majority not germinate at all, and if so was the seed fresh?

I've had a lot of problems getting just one year-old onion seed to germinate lately (Ailsa Craig, not a spring onion of course, but only about 10% germination rate at best.)

[Lardman]

Did the majority not germinate at all, and if so was the seed fresh?

Failed to germinate - fresh packet from Moles again (although they were bought off season) - I think they're treated too as they're blue. I've got so many ½ used packs though with the same results from over the years which it what pointed me towards the growing medium or ( me  )  being the only common factors.

[devon]

I have yet to get spring onions beyond the blade of grass stage. They are sown regular every year but as yet nothing has succeeded .
So I know how you feel I just keep trying took me 5years to grow a aubergine.

[mumofstig]

I've never had much luck with Lisbon - now I use Guardsman with success from  Autumn and Spring sowings. It is winter hardy and my Autumn-sown ones are about ready now, they've been growing outside.
Obviously the Spring-sown ones don't take as long 
http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/Vegetable-Seeds-1/Spring_2/Onion-Spring-Guardsman-AGM-Seeds.html#.UzmRffldXUU

[sunshineband]

I sow mine in small modules, with about five or six seeds in each. They germinate in about 10 days, in a heated greenhouse or on the windowsill, and then go outside in a sheltered spot.

I use whatever seed compost comes to hand and use White Lisbon without fail as well as red variety.. Holland Blood Red I think. Mauve Lila have also been fine.

Maybe they are just needing a gentle warmth to get them going, Lardman?

[gobs]

6 years and this is this best I have done !

What on earth am I doing / not doing which is stopping them growing? Those were sown 1 month apart, 1 with a growbag contents the other with multi-purp, with fresh seeds from a major retailer.

Im at the stage now where I will buy a bag of top soil, seed compost, peat free compost or moon dust just to grow spring onions if the collective think it would work.   

Welcome to the club! I'm the founder of the Can't grow spring onions gardeners' group, the CSOGG, otherwise called the sogging club.

Really, I posed this question years ago, probably you can find it. I was explained that it only likes nice soft compost, etc.

I grew some since, however foreign seeds... Other varieties.

[DD.]

My pinch per module approach has not failed once more and I have some really nice looking ones in the unheated greenhouse.

[gobs]

show off 

[Lardman]

I've tried bottom heat, top heat, side heat and no heat. I've also sieved the multi purp to create a nice soft bed, infact all I haven't done is read them a bedtime story each night.

Over the years I've tried white lisbon, white lisbon winter hardy, performer, eifell and lilia but I might as well try another variety...  I get the feeling Im going to be stuck in CSOGG forever.

My pinch per module approach has not failed once more and I have some really nice looking ones in the unheated greenhouse.

No - sorry - just simply don't believe you  I require photographic proof, a full growing diary and material list; all signed and witnessed by a J.P.

[sunshineband]

OK: I shall try to provide this photographic evidence Lardman 

I have some in modules to plant out soon, and the last lot that have overwintered and dug up today. Give me a while. I shall return.

[sunshineband]

OK: I shall try to provide this photographic evidence Lardman 

I have some in modules to plant out soon, and the last lot that have overwintered and dug up today. Give me a while. I shall return.

OK -- here they are.

Not the most tidy tray of modules, but it is what it is and once they are planted out they will romp away. Ramrod and Lilia

Those harvested today are a mishmash of red, mauve and white ones left from the last sowing around June/July last summer.

[wrinkly1]

 ;)i got fed up as well'  so i started planting shallots' pull them early and they never fail.  taste is great.  give it a try .wrinkly1

[adri123]

Youtube vid that I found useful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yACQtcS1cSU&list=TLqM9HcAHVBhZeh3LvqjF2E2H022jbA6oC

Ishikura are looking good in our PT right now.

Are you covering the seed with a sprinkle of mpc?  I notice in the photos that I can see some seed visible.

If it's not that then they need a bit of warmth to kick them off I reckon.

[Lardman]

OK -- here they are.

Pah... photoshop'ed    I think 1 of those cells contains as many plants as I've managed to grow over the years. I don't get it.. 

They look nice sturdy cell trays, I need some more were they an online purchase?