[Eblana]

I try something new every year and this year I have decided to grow Shallots (banana) from seed.  I had assumed that they would be the same as sets i.e. That each plant that germinates split into multiple shallots but the guy in the shop who sold me the seed told me he thought they were more like onions and thatneach seed only produces one shallot.  Has anyone grown shallots from seed and can you tell me whether you get just one or multiple shallots from each seed/plant.

[mumofstig]

Banana shallots only grow 1 bulb from each seed.

I used to start them in modules and put 3 or 4 seeds n each module, and plant the module out as is, so you get a clump at each planting station.

[Salmo]

Yes, just one bulb per seed. Do not try to plant last years as sets as they will just bolt to seed.

Anyone know why "seed sown shallots" have got to be called shallots? They are surely just small onions.

My guess is that they look a bit like shallots and are obviously easier to grow commercially than proper shallots from sets.

[mumofstig]

Anyone know why "seed sown shallots" have got to be called shallots? They are surely just small onions.

My guess is that they look a bit like shallots and are obviously easier to grow commercially than proper shallots from sets.

Yes, it seems there is a war of words going on between the French, who grow 'proper' shallots and the Dutch who grow seed sown onions, but call them shallots.

http://www.frenchgardening.com/aupotager.html?pid=12990766343248445

[Eblana]

Thanks a million folks will sow three or four seeds per cell and plant out as a clump as mum has suggested.