[shokkyy]

My onions from seed seem to be doing quite well now, most are bulbing up nicely. However, I've spotted a couple of weird ones and wondered if anyone could tell me what causes this. What's happened is a single bulb has split into 9 very small bulbs with a separate stalk from each, like shallots. I could understand it more if they were grown from sets, but don't understand how it happens when they're grown from seed.

[Nikkithefoot]

Sounds like it might well be a shallot.

[arugula]

I didn't like to say that... I thought I may have them on the brain after a plaiting session...

[whiskywill]

I don't think shallots from seed normally produce a cluster of bulbs. That happens when a shallot bulb is planted.

But...........I may be wrong.

[mumofstig]

yes, a shallot grown from seed doesn't divide you just get the one bulb.

[Salmo]

Photo please.

[shokkyy]

Hope this works, but here's a picture.

[DD.]

Looks rather like the damage caused by eelworm:

http://alanbuckingham.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Pests-diseases-disorders/G0000PAnglt8qgl4/I0000iVc04PPcOPc

[shokkyy]

Look rather like the damage caused by eelworm:

http://alanbuckingham.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Pests-diseases-disorders/G0000PAnglt8qgl4/I0000iVc04PPcOPc

I dunno. In that picture it doesn't look like it's split into separate cloves or baby bulbs with their own stems, more like the single existing bulb/stem is deformed. It does look for all the world like shallots, but I don't see how it can be. It's supposed to be an Ailsa Craig

[DD.]

Perhaps not in that photo, but split bulbs can be a symptom of eelworm.

[whiskywill]

Look after it. You might have the start of a great fortune. Why get one bulb from a seed when you can have many?