[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Afternoon All,

I have attempted to grow spring onion about 4 times in the last 5 years, and everytime they get to about 3 inchs tall, they fall over and die.

They are watered adequately, and in standard mutlipurpose compost.

I cannot understand why this is happening, as most people say they are one of the easiest plants to grow.

Any advice would be most welcome.

[JayG]

I've found onion seedlings to be quite vulnerable when about the size you mention (i.e. not long past the straightening-out phase of growth.)

Last year I lost about half of mine, probably due to the combination of too much water and very cold conditions (they were actually in a cold frame but the rain got in through the gap between the lights and the compost was pretty soggy by the time I rescued them.) 

Assuming it was some sort of damping off disease overcrowding would have made the situation even worse, although I don't think that was a factor on this particular occasion.