[Robster]

Right, I'm pretty much prepared.  I have installed my propagator in the back room set it to 18 degrees.  I have commandeered a daylight lamp from my daughters beauty business.  I have put the compost in the seed trays ready to sow in a day or so.  I think. I'll go for New Years Day for sowing.

Anyway a bit phased by the recent discussion about what to do when I plant them on into pots.  I've only got an unheated greenhouse or cold frame that is suitable.  Oooerr I'm feeling the pressure now.

[New shoot]

Mine live on the kitchen window sill once germinated as there is no heating in there.  Then they get transplanted and go out to the unheated greenhouse.  I've got a 4 tier blowaway that I use inside the greenhouse for extra protection at first

[sunshineband]

My compost is frozen solid as I forgot to bring it in so sowing is being delayed by a day or two until it has thawed out and warmed through a bit too.

Silly me!! 

[trunk monkey]

Following moderate success with Bedfordshire Champion last year I am going for Kelsae this year (for show). I sowed on the 27th December now at 18 degrees in the propagator. I have a growlight and timer on standby. I have overwintering sets of Electric and Radar in the allotment for eating. Happy new onions to the forum.

[New shoot]

Mine are already starting to germinate, ready to welcome in the New Year     

 

[cadalot]

Mine are already starting to germinate, ready to welcome in the New Year     

New Shoot - if I recall correctly you are a growhouse in a greenhouse man and not a heated greenhouse so have you jumped the gun re moving on and out of the house?

I have received some heavy duty ex nursery trays and have cut down to size to fit a normal sized tray ready for sowing but following DD's advice I'm holding back until late Jan / early Feb as I don't have anywhere warm enough to move them on too once they germinate.

The modules are approx. 20mm x 20mm x 30mm deep and there are 112 modules in a standard tray size, so I'm not sure how long they can stay in them until they will need to be moved up to vending machine cups? any guidance appreciated

[New shoot]

Mine are already starting to germinate, ready to welcome in the New Year     

New Shoot - if I recall correctly you are a growhouse in a greenhouse man and not a heated greenhouse so have you jumped the gun re moving on and out of the house?

Nope    I am a woman with a plan that has worked fine for me the last couple of years 

Mine live on the kitchen window sill once germinated as there is no heating in there.  Then they get transplanted and go out to the unheated greenhouse.  I've got a 4 tier blowaway that I use inside the greenhouse for extra protection at first

Mine are on the dining room windowsill and will move to the kitchen shortly 

[mumofstig]

Nope    I am a woman with a plan   

 

[cadalot]

Sorry about the gender thing there New Shoot - As Python would say "Sorry I have a Cold"

Like comedy timing is everything, so can you enlighten me - Sow in what for how long, move into what then for how long and finally when do you move to the grow house in the greenhouse. I'm holding back as I want it to be warm enough for them to survive and enough light so they don't get too leggy, even with DD's tin foil reflector shield.

[MrsPea]

This was my Kelsea last year the biggest one weighed just over 1 1/2 lbs, I shall do the same this year hopefully I show this year, just of to set propagator up. 
Happy new year to you all 

[Kristen]

with DD's tin foil reflector shield.

FWIW Flat white card (anything matt white, e.g. soemthing left over from a kitchen unit or a sheet of polystyrene) is apparently a better reflector than kitchen foil

[New shoot]

Sorry about the gender thing there New Shoot - As Python would say "Sorry I have a Cold"

Like comedy timing is everything, so can you enlighten me - Sow in what for how long, move into what then for how long and finally when do you move to the grow house in the greenhouse. I'm holding back as I want it to be warm enough for them to survive and enough light so they don't get too leggy, even with DD's tin foil reflector shield.

I'm pushed to give you exact timings as it will depend on the weather and how fast they grow    They are in MP at the moment and will stay in their mini seed trays inside for a few weeks yet.  Tin foil reflectors will be constructed as well.

Then modules in more MP and out they go.  My greenhouse is in a sheltered spot, so I get away with them in there fairly early on in the year.  They are so slow growing, I will give them a liquid feed a couple of times before they graduate out to the plot 

If in doubt, hang on a bit.  There's plenty of time to sow if you think your growing on conditions will not be right.

[GrowinGrowinGone]

I do have a quick question regarding those big onions, Alicia Craig, and Kelsae.  It's all good and well growing huge onions, but do they actually taste any good? do they store well?  I've never tasted either of those and just wondered from some of the those who have grown them. I know it's slightly off topic.

[mumofstig]

They're both sweet mild onions - I love them, but if you prefer strong onions for cooking, then others are better.
Neither store right into winter and AC is better than Kelsae in my (limited) experience.

[GrowinGrowinGone]

They're both sweet mild onions - I love them, but if you prefer strong onions for cooking, then others are better.
Neither store right into winter and AC is better than Kelsae in my (limited) experience.

Thanks