[Mr B]

Hi All,
    Can any one tell me why most of my shallots instead of splitting into 4 or 5 bulbs decided that they would split into as many as 18 small bulbs. They taste fine but are a sod to prep. They were planted along side my onions and they did quite well.
Regards,
Chris

[sunshineband]

What variety are they?

[ferret51uk]

I had trouble with a lot of mine, the Pikant were like yours, a lot of very small bulbs, the Golden Gourmet amd the Red Sun were in general a lot better. Clive

[DD.]

I grew 2 lots, one lot were very small, the others really good.

And this is where my problem begins!

[sunshineband]

I had trouble with a lot of mine, the Pikant were like yours, a lot of very small bulbs, the Golden Gourmet amd the Red Sun were in general a lot better. Clive

That's why I asked which variety, as some do make lots of small bulbs --Pikant is one of these 

[Mr B]

I planted Red Sun these were the smallest and Golden Gourmet were a bit better. The oval ones that came from Tesco as a ' wonder if these will grow' all split into 4 lovely bulbs.   
Regards,
Chris

[sunshineband]

I know Red Sun do form around a dozen smallish shallots, rather than the five or six some of the others have.

Is this what you had?

[Mr B]

Hi Sunshine,
  Yest thats what I had, looks like I eill have to look for a different type next year.
Chris

[sunshineband]

I grew jermor this year, and they gave a good crop of about 5-6 each, couple of inches of bulb height --- my daughter planted hers in the autumn and they were ready before mine (obviously!)  around beginning of June 

[jb]

Could planting time  affect the splitting as it is also key for garlic division?  I got about 20 tiddlers, many of which aren't even worth peeeling, from my early winter planted griselles but 4-5 from my spring planted red sun and springfield.
PS I'd recomment the springfield for anyone who doesn't like peelling shallots as most of them were small onion rather than shallot size.

[cooperman]

i had similar probs with my shallots - I pt this down to several things - mostly of my own making - not manuring the previous year - not planting early enough and not watering when very dry.....  but they're all eatable!