[Totty]

Hi all,

I sowed The Kelsae on boxing day in my windowsill, in modules. Thinned to one per module, and put into my heated greenhouse. They are now between three and four inches tall and have two full leaves each.
Problem-The very tips of the first leaves are dry and looking yellow, starting where the seed is on the end of the leaf down to about a third of the way down.
 Is it because i didnt remove the seed from the end of the young plant?
Suggestions???

Totty

[Trillium]

It's possible they're either too dry, too warm or the roots are too wet and rotting.

At this time of year the seedlings like it cooler, just not freezing. Once cool, they need just a bit of water to keep them going but never have the pots/modules sitting in water.

[Totty]

Ok thanks!

[8doubles]

Is there a hot radiator under the windowsill ? Tomatoes like that situation but onions do not , put them in a cooler spot as soon as possible.

[DD.]

8doubles - missed it myself - but your post jogged me.

They are no longer in the house but in a heated greenhouse.

How heated, we don't know, but the same applies - they don't want to be too hot.

[8doubles]

I think that even a cold greenhouse can get too warm on a bright day. I have a container of onion seedlings planted when i was cleaning seed last autumn that has overwintered outside in the frost and snow without any damage.

Are you growing them to show ? If not get them outside as soon as you can.

[Totty]

They are in a small 6x2 geenhouse that i have been heating with a parasene superwarm4 parafinn heater. The temperature has been up to around 30degrees this week, not knowing any better i segregated two shelves off with polythene (making a heated propagator type atmosphere) and thought they would thrive. They have grown ok, but now my leeks are also in there maybe its best if i take down the screen and let the heater keep the cold and frost out without actually heating it too much now?
 I have no real plans to grow any massive onions, but it would be nice to grow some of a decent size to maybe put into the local village show. Same applies to the leeks which are Lyon prizetaker 2.
Ragerds

Totty

[yorky]

If its just the first leaves with the seed attached then it might not be a problem, as these do tend to die off. If the second and third leaves (which should be growing by now) are also affected then it could be any of the things already mentioned.
One other possible cause could be fumes from your paraffin heater, they would soon build up in a 6x2 house if not well ventilated.

[Totty]

Half of them have the third leaves now. Both the second and third leaves are tottally unaffected. But every single first leaf is now really shrivelled and dry. I have made sure they are well watered but not sitting in water and have removed the cover now so the heater should just be keeping the frost off and the temperature mild. Not much else to do i guess. Is it common for the first leaves to die off?

Totty

[yorky]

Is it common for the first leaves to die off?

Totty

In my experience, yes.
Mine usually weigh about 3 pounds by August, so I don't think it can be too detrimental.

[Totty]

Ok, so just leave them, water when needed and keep frost free?

[Trillium]

Yes.

[JayG]

Transplanted my onion seedlings at the "crooked" stage over a week ago into modules; they are sort of standing up again, and some are half-heartedly growing second leaves (mostly at the expense of the seed leaves, it seems.)

Still on the kitchen windowsill so with no real frost predicted this week I think I'll put them in the cold greenhouse to see if that will toughen them up a bit (or possibly do "the other thing"!) 

[mumofstig]

mine are in the cold greenhouse, but they are not standing up straight  
The last few nights have been frosty.............so I think I may have to resow later, lesson learnt!
never mind I have loads more seed 

[Rangerkris]

Mine are passed the crook stage but im off to pot them on in a while.