Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: rowlandwells on November 06, 2018, 17:51

Title: shallot from seed
Post by: rowlandwells on November 06, 2018, 17:51

I'm going to try growing shallot from seed next season two varieties Matador and Zebrune [Banana shallot] [Kings Seeds]  I usually sow my onion seed  in large plug trays then  leave them in the plug trays till  the onions are big enough then I plant them out but I'm not sure if I should sow the shallot seed  in plug trays and prick out individually  into pots and when large enough then  plant out when bigger plants also though about pricking shallot plants in peat pots and plant pots and all


we usually buy shallot sets in springtime but I thought I would try shallots from seed will probably still buy shallot sets as well just encase shallot seed don't turn out  :unsure: :unsure: any advise much appreciated

Title: Re: shallot from seed
Post by: mumofstig on November 06, 2018, 18:30

The Banana shallots only make one bulb per seed rather than multiply like a shallot set does.

Great youtube video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys6QJQKusUU&list=PL0F425F1C9BA038F4&index=12 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys6QJQKusUU&list=PL0F425F1C9BA038F4&index=12)

Title: Re: shallot from seed
Post by: oldgrunge on November 06, 2018, 20:02

I am going to try shallots from seed this year, the Zebrune. Haven't decided on method yet, some research needed, methinks. As a back up, will still grow some from sets, as well.

Title: Re: shallot from seed
Post by: Mr Dog on November 06, 2018, 20:34

Zebrune can be grown just as you would a normal onion from seed. AFAIK banana shallots are an onion/shallot cross.

Title: Re: shallot from seed
Post by: Dev on November 07, 2018, 04:27

I grew Zebrune this year with some success. Many of them turned out to be almost as big as onions. Next year I will do the same again, except I will sow four seeds per module and then plant out the module. I tried this with onions this year and they did pretty well - you don't get massive onions, but there are plenty of usable size and a few small ones for pickling.

Title: Re: shallot from seed
Post by: rowlandwells on November 07, 2018, 09:06

I thought module's mite be the answer but I wasn't quite sure but from what you've said its sounds like you've had good results from shallot seed many thanks for your replies

Title: Re: shallot from seed
Post by: New shoot on November 07, 2018, 11:19

I've found shallots do grow well from seed, but now we have allium leaf miner on our site, they get hit, whereas the set grown ones don't.  Not sure why, but I now have to grow them, onions and leeks under insect mesh, whereas the set grown shallots and garlic seem OK without mesh.

Just a thought if you are trying seeds for the first time  ;)