Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => The Show Bench => Topic started by: sunshineband on July 26, 2014, 19:22

Title: preparing onions to show
Post by: sunshineband on July 26, 2014, 19:22

I never thought I would ever be attempting to show any veg, let alone onions, but after visiting our local Gardeners' Association last year, I have been bitten by the bug.

I have looked up how to prepare onions and there are several references to putting talc on the onions.

Questions:

- Do you rub it on?
- How much do you use?
- Does it go all over the onion skin?
- How do you get it off again?

I daresay the answers are obvious to some, but not to me.

Having got three onions for the small onion class ie to go through a 9cm ring, and one for the largest onion class too*, I would like to present them at their best, so help with this, plus any other tips, would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance  :)

* not big enough to win, just big enough not to be a small onion  :lol:

Title: Re: preparing onions to show
Post by: sunshineband on July 28, 2014, 21:39

After more reading I have concluded that the talc just disappears on its own, but it is not at all clear how much you should use.

I guess it is try it and see.

With lots of you reading this and no replies, I suppose showing onions may not be that popular with members here perhaps

Title: Re: preparing onions to show
Post by: surbie100 on July 28, 2014, 22:12

I don't grow onions. Yet.

This man does though (and I am totally addicted to his updates) http://www.allotment-diary.co.uk/How-to-dress-exhibition-show-onions.html (http://www.allotment-diary.co.uk/How-to-dress-exhibition-show-onions.html)

Title: Re: preparing onions to show
Post by: snow white on July 29, 2014, 07:56

I show at my local village show, but I have not heard of talcing them!  :unsure:

Title: Re: preparing onions to show
Post by: Salmo on July 29, 2014, 08:41

Just put a bit of talc on your hands and then handle the onion. It gives the skin of the onion a nice shine. It also can stick on any blemishes so do not use too much. You can always wash it off with a damp cloth if you do not like it.

Pay attention to the schedule. That may say dressed (folded over top bound with raffia) or trimmed (cut off straight and bound with raffia but not folded over). If trimmed it may say the maximum length of top to be left. I may be corrected on this by someone who has done a lot of showing.

When using raffia ( available at florists) soak it first and it is much easier to work with. If the tops are crispy and liable to crack, as shallots often are, wrap the tops in damp kitchen cloth for a bit before you bind them.

Get a loo roll and cut it into 1 inch rings. These make good stands to show your onions off. You can paint them if you want to.