[hubballi]

I bought an assortment of Onion sets a few weeks ago and have had them in modules of compost to get the roots going. There are red, white and very white varieties. All have healthy root growth and green shoots about 3 to 8 inches high. I have planted them out but the actual body of the sets on some were very soft when slightly squeezed. I thought as they had good roots and shoots I will plant them anyway. Will they be ok ?

[JayG]

Yes - the bulb is the energy store to get the roots and shoots started and doesn't fill out again until later in the season.

[Christo]

Yes - the bulb is the energy store to get the roots and shoots started and doesn't fill out again until later in the season.

I didn't know that. You learn something new every day. Thanks.  :happy:

[hubballi]

Oh good because someone today told me that they are bad and should throw away. Good job I waited and came on here 

[love-my-plot]

Yes - the bulb is the energy store to get the roots and shoots started and doesn't fill out again until later in the season.

I didn't know that either and would bin soft ones, thinking they'd rotted!
Thanks for the info 

[JayG]

Glad to have helped, but don't confuse bulbs which shrink after planting (normal) and those which have shrunk before planting (not normal, they will be in poor condition and may even have started to rot and are unlikely to grow well.)

[A Reyt Tayty]

Oh good because someone today told me that they are bad and should throw away. Good job I waited and came on here 

I thought the same. Mine were solid when I put them in  but they have just gone to a mush now. Plenty of top growth and root, so I have been assured they will transform into proper real onions later on.

[love-my-plot]

Glad to have helped, but don't confuse bulbs which shrink after planting (normal) and those which have shrunk before planting (not normal, they will be in poor condition and may even have started to rot and are unlikely to grow well.)

Ahh, that makes sense.  I was actually thinking of those that had gone soft before planting as I usually bin those. Thanks for clarifying ........  otherwise I might have planted manky sets next year   

[hubballi]

These are soft and shrinking before planting. Still leaving them as they have good roots and shoots.

[JayG]

Hubballi's last post may have introduced a hint of doubt into this discussion, so just to clarify:

1) Onion or shallot sets in good condition should be firm, although not as firm as when first harvested as they will have been stored for several months and will have lost a little of their moisture content.

2) If they have started sprouting they are still alive but will start to shrink as the food reserves are used up. Bit unusual for them to root as well as shoot before planting I would have thought, but they can still be planted and should do well.

3) Sets which have gone very soft with no signs of shoots appearing are highly suspect and may well be rotting due to poor storage conditions.