[Mash Mad]

Hi, My show onions are about 2 inchs tall in a 60 cell plug tray, and I was wondering if i should transplant them in 4 inch 10cm pots. The soil I'm going to use is john innes no 1 loam based transplanting/potting compost.

Is that the right way to do it? this is my first year of growing kelsae show onions I'm trying to grow massive ones for the local show this year.

The other thing is that the 2 inch seedlings are bending over growing in all directions, is that normal?

[beansticks]

All onion seedlings come through looking like hairpins,transplant them now,though i am no expert i did grow them a couple of years ago.

[johndf1]

I have had the same problem with my ailsa craig onions but my son gave them a 'hair cut' and ít seems to have helped.  Don't know if it will work in the long run.

[vegmandan]

If they look like this then they're fine,It's just the seed still stuck in the compost.



It'll either pop out and straighten up seed attached.



Or pop out without the seed still attached.Doesn't matter which.



This is about the time to prick them out,once they start to straighten up from the "Crook" stage.

I wouldn't advise you to give them a haircut though, as the seedling will need the energy from the seed to provide the energy to send it's first roots down,so you may cut it's food supply off if its at a very early stage.

You seem to be doing better than me,I've only had about 20 germinate so far.

[Swing Swang]

Vegmandian,

Why are you a new member with only 6 posts? You've been on this site for yonkers.

SS

[vegmandan]

Let's just say, I'm paying the price for my ill-advised drunken outburst from earlier in the week.

I'll say no more.

[Clampit]

When did you put your onions in Dan?

[vegmandan]

I sowed the seed on Dec 21st.

I got the 1st ones germinating 3 weeks later.

They're still coming slowly but I really think I've got some duff compost judging by how the "Pips" are faring.

It looks like it's about 20% wood chips  :shock:

I wouldn't mind but it's the same compost I was raving about last year.

I'm going to test it for nutrients and other stuff to see if It is really rubbish or if it's me being a numpty.

[alfman]

Hi Greenfinger,I've been growing Kelsae onions for years and I don't think you've got a problem, they'll probably recover by themselves. Just make shure the roots have got enough room to grow in your plugs. It's still very early in the season and there's not much light yet for them to develop. I'm thinking of starting mine off in root trainers but have no experience of them yet so am going to post a question about them myself. Good luck.

[Mash Mad]

Thanks for all your advice.