[Jilly Pickles]

Hi I'm having a problem with lily beetles eating my onions sets  and also why can i not seem to grow spring onions from seed. I follow the packets and have check in books but still nothing grows. Do they need a lot of water ? where am i going wrong ?

[savbo]

I have NEVER got spring onions to grow - even if they germinate they die. So I've given up for now and just plant shallot sets close together, a batch every month...

Lily beetles - never had them on onions but on our lilies I just pick them off - from  underneath, otherwise they let go and fall to the floor on their back so you can't see them - and squidge them...

[fletch]

Oh I'm quite pleased I read this thread, I'm on my third go this year with Spring onions from seed, the first 2 go were total no-shows  . If this lot don't come through I might pack them in.

[willowman]

I'm afraid my lily beetles get a good blast of Bug-off or something similar. They really can rip through a lily plant.

[Trillium]

Onions are part of the lily family so yes, lily beetles will attack them if they can't find lilies (their preference).  Because they like to fall to the ground if threatened, and that they cover themselves in their own feces as camaflouge, put a pale cloth or white paper below and when they fall down, you'll spot them immediately and crush them. Look all around the plants for any egg clusters as well. 

[Beetroot queen]

I have NEVER got spring onions to grow - even if they germinate they die. So I've given up for now and just plant shallot sets close together, a batch every month...

Lily beetles - never had them on onions but on our lilies I just pick them off - from  underneath, otherwise they let go and fall to the floor on their back so you can't see them - and squidge them...

First time we did spring onions. sorry couldnt resist showing them off again I am amazed we grew them  :blink:

[Jilly Pickles]

I have NEVER got spring onions to grow - even if they germinate they die. So I've given up for now and just plant shallot sets close together, a batch every month...

Lily beetles - never had them on onions but on our lilies I just pick them off - from  underneath, otherwise they let go and fall to the floor on their back so you can't see them - and squidge them...

First time we did spring onions. sorry couldnt resist showing them off again I am amazed we grew them  :blink:

Great Picture whats your secret ? Thanks for the replies

jilly

[hightide]

Lily Beetle
 
Jam jar under them give the leaf a tap, they do their thing and land into my jar- contained! Simples!
  

[sunshineband]

Lily beetles get squahed underfoot, after being pivcked off carefully by hand.

Did you kow they let out a squeak too to warn their horrid friends, who then fall to the ground to hide upside down 

[zazen999]

Secret to spring onions......

sow into modules, a pinch in each.

Leave them to germinate [some do take a while]...don't overwater - keep them on the dry side of wet [but not bone dry!]

Plant them out module by module. Water in. Leave to grow on.

Pick a handful at a time.

I've just started picking the ones that I sowed last sept, and they've been in the soil all winter.