[bravemurphy]

this is very interesting,  sTxJdVipt7o
I was under the impression not to give them too much nitrogen.

[JayG]

I've had a quick look at some of his other videos - apparently the onions are fertilised with a high phosphate/low nitrogen fertiliser early on to promote root growth, and nitrogen later on to promote leaf growth.

Another video shows him chopping back the foliage at least once to reduce wind damage - he reckons (but is not sure) that this actually increases the size of the bulbs.

Interesting stuff, some of which, as you say, contradicts what we are usually told (maybe it's a Texas thy-eeng?!    )

[bravemurphy]

I think I will experiment with a row and see what happens.

[Totty]

I watched two of the vids, it would appear they were referring to salad/bunching onions. Not intended for bulbing or storing. I'm sure the application of nitrogen is beneficial for quick maturing onions intended for cropping as spring onions, but adding too much to onions that are for storing WILL lead to lots of them having lots of soft leafy growth which in turn means they won't store as well.

Totty

[gypsy]

While we are talking onions, does any one know if my brothers onions are likely to survive -16c he lives in USA and it has been very cold there

[gavinjconway]

Wintering onions normally are ok for a "normal" winter... theirs has been a bit OTT... He will find out soon enough.   

[mumofstig]

ON my plot not many make it through a 'normal' winter - that's why I don't grow them any more.

I think he really will need to start again when it thaws out.

[JayG]

I've watched most of the inimitable Bruce Frasier's videos again (but not all at once - that slow Texan drawl tends to send me to sleep after 3 minutes, and some of his videos are 4 minutes long!  )

As far as I can tell they grow the "transplants", which look like bunches of salad onions, for selling on to be grown into mature individual onions, so the fertiliser regime Bravemurphy refers to may only be about getting them to that stage.

On balance, I think I'll just stick with the usual sprinkling of Growmore at planting out time! 

[gavinjconway]

Those transplants are just seedlings sown and grown thickly and not potted on - then when they are 3mm thickness or so they are just dug up and planted. I do that as i never seem to have luck potting them on with a tiny weeny root!!