[cooperman]

as indicated - you get a far better onion from seed - but sets are ok for easier results. I grow both as you dont get the varieties in sets.  Always grow onion seed in cool conditions, get them going with mild heat but wip them out as soon as germinated and grow on in a coldframe/greenhouse (not heated)

[DD.]

as indicated - you get a far better onion from seed

Unless you happen to be me. 

[Kristen]

Unless you happen to be me. 

This year will be different Don't forget to untangle the roots when you plant-out

[DD.]

I'm trying hard - honest.

They're not much different to the piccies that have been posted and are in the cold greenhouse, so fingers crossed!

[Maccbean]

The only thing I did "special" was that I did not plant from modules as-is, but I ran my fingers through the root-ball to untangle them, and planted the roots straight-down in the planting hole.
[/quote]

I had really disappointing results with sets last year, so decided to go from seed.  At what stage did you plant them out?  Mine have been growing on the kitchen windowsill for two weeks which is warmed up by the Aga.  Mine are leggy too, and I'm keen to get them on to the next level asap.

[Kristen]

Some gentle heat to help them germinate (I used a propagator, so that would be about 20C I reckon)

Germinated in about 3 days

Pricked out 7 days after germination (into small modules - they are about 1" cells), which I then put in the unheated conservatory - they don't want any more heat past that point, but you might want to bring them in of a night for the first few nights so they don't get too much shock.

About 4 - 6 weeks after pricking out they should be ready for planting out.

[Maccbean]

Ooh thanks for that.  Better prick mine out and get them outside asap then! :blink:

[JayG]

Too early to be planting them out yet, but might as well ask now.

How deeply should they be planted out when the time comes (Roots just covered? A bit deeper?)

(My 40-odd years-worth of gardening experience seems to completely desert me when it comes to growing onions from seeds!) 

[DD.]

You and me both.

This was the total harvest the last time I tried.

Nice pickles though.

[Salmo]

There are those that will be horrified by this suggestion.

If onion plants are getting a bit leggy and start to tip over cut them off just below the crook.

It seems to do them no harm and they stand up straight.

[Kristen]

How deeply should they be planted out when the time comes (Roots just covered? A bit deeper?)

I plant them to about the same depth that they were in the modules (having first untangled the roots). Dr H says [of planting out from modules] "the bulb base should be about 1/2" below the soil surface" and also that the roots must go straight down.

[Maccbean]

This is not looking good for me.  The little module trays I have are around 2" deep, whereas the onion roots are about 3½" already , so I've had to sort of curl them in.  they really are floppy too, not one is standing upright, not bent double, just flopped over.  Am I doomed?

[JayG]

This is not looking good for me.  The little module trays I have are around 2" deep, whereas the onion roots are about 3½" already , so I've had to sort of curl them in.  they really are floppy too, not one is standing upright, not bent double, just flopped over.  Am I doomed?

No, but your onions might be!

At least you are not alone (at least me and probably DD for company!) 

[Kristen]

The little module trays I have are around 2" deep, whereas the onion roots are about 3½" already , so I've had to sort of curl them in. 

That's what I do too. Byt he time I plant them out the roots are all curled round in the module, and I untangle them (just run them through my fingers) so they are vertical when planted.

they really are floppy too, not one is standing upright, not bent double, just flopped over.

Mine look really forlorn after pricking out.  Don't keep them in any heat - unheated conservatory / greenhouse / coldframe should be fine.