[pjpj45]

over 60 years

ago my dad grew what he called everlasting onions which were good for eating raw or cooking and looked like a large spring onion sometimes streaked with red.  they were called everlasting as they grew in bunches and you dug up the bunch, split out the ones you needed and put the onion clump back, where they made more bunches.  hence everlasting! mine  died out 40 yrs ago and despite trying some seeds (no germination) have had no success in locating any since.  they were so good, strong and tasty.  any ideas where i can get these  preferably a clump!

[Sparkyrog]

I know the ones you are referring to and would also love to locate some ! I think some people called them welsh onions .

[DD.]

Have another crack at growing from seed. They're easy enough.

Yes, look for "Welsh" onions also.

[pjpj45]

not sure what seeds to buy though as dont know the name unless welsh onion, wish you could buy clumps but thanks for your advice

[DD.]

Here's some examples:

http://search.thompson-morgan.com/search?w=welsh+onion

Sow a pinch seeds in a paper pot or module. Start them off under glass, then harden then off.

Simply plant the whole pot or module.

The red ones are the ones I grew.

[New shoot]

wish you could buy clumps

This lot sell them - scroll down to Onion, everlasting

http://www.poyntzfieldherbs.co.uk/catalogue1.asp

Alternatively, if you have a garden centre near you that does a decent selection of herbs, they are sold as Welsh Onions.  Bit early yet, but should be available next month 

As DD says, they are also very easy from seed 

[candygold1]

my grandad grew them and when i started my allotment i hunted everywhere to get some, i managed to buy 6 which i planted but alas only 3 survived, i now have 3 small clumps which i will split soon and plant single so next year i should have 20-30 clumps. im moving them in a few weeks as ive now got a council allotment and if you wanted a few im sure i could spare you some to get you started.

[wighty]

If at all possible Pete, could you drop one or two off at Plumbleys for me.  L(I'm sure you know where that is!!)  I'd like to have a go at growing these .

[JohnB47]

Curious about these.

How do they propagate? Do they reproduce because you let them go to seed, or do they simply produce more bulbs themselves - perhaps like some flower bulbs do (daffodils, crocus etc). Do you have to keep picking them, otherwise surely they would all go to seed eventually?

BTW I discovered some 'guardsman' spring onions on the plot the other day. They had survived the winter and tasted great. Must remember to overwinter a load later this year - seems like you could be eating them all year round.

[DD.]

Each stem will split to produce two stems and so on. Can't say that I've ever noticed them go to seed, but I dare say that they do.

I have quite a few clumps and just rip half of a clump out at a time, moving onto the next on next time and leaving the first ones to reproduce.

[sunshineband]

Each stem will split to produce two stems and so on. Can't say that I've ever noticed them go to seed, but I dare say that they do.

I have quite a few clumps and just rip half of a clump out at a time, moving onto the next on next time and leaving the first ones to reproduce.

They do eventually if you don't use the larger ones up by the following year.. at least that is what mine did last year (white sort) but I managed to save enough offshoots to keep them going

[Trillium]

I got Welsh onion seeds from a forum member and now have a new patch of Welsh onions that I'll be dividing this year.

I also have what we locally call Egyptian onions, aka walking onions, that form bulbs on top, bend over and plants itself in a new spot. These were here when we moved in and they're handy to have when a scallion is needed.

[DD.]

Thanks for the reminder, Trillium, I've got a head of walking onion bulbils to split up. I'll probably get them going in a seed tray.

I wonder who the forum member is, of whom you speak? 

[JohnB47]

Super. Another veg go grow!

[candygold1]

If at all possible Pete, could you drop one or two off at Plumbleys for me.  L(I'm sure you know where that is!!)  I'd like to have a go at growing these .

no problem ill drop a few in for you when i move them