[Azazello]

I planted some onion seeds a couple of weeks ago as I didn't want to use sets this year.

I think I left them in the house for a bit too long so they're mostly now about 3 ins tall.

Should I discard the leggy ones or can I move them on to some compost and harden them outside?

It's mild here (Surrey) at the moment.

Any tips or experience would be very gratefully received

EDIT - I just saw the guide to growing onions from seed here;

http://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/onion-shallot/grow-onion-seed.php

 I suspect it may well be worth starting again.

[Kristen]

Not sure that Onions get leggy. The first spiky-"leaf" starts off bend double, like a crook, and then stands up like a blade of grass - at which time a little bulb starts to form at soil level, and then more leaves should come from the bottom - so you might be OK.

[Azazello]

Not sure that Onions get leggy. The first spiky-"leaf" starts off bend double, like a crook, and then stands up like a blade of grass - at which time a little bulb starts to form at soil level, and then more leaves should come from the bottom - so you might be OK.

I was thinking that some of the seedlings were very tall and had maybe got a bit ahead of themselves - which according to John Harrison's guide might suggest a higher chance of bolting.

It doesn't seem like it's too late to start again.

Thanks for the reply.

[Kristen]

I was thinking that some of the seedlings were very tall and had maybe got a bit ahead of themselves - which according to John Harrison's guide might suggest a higher chance of bolting.

Good point

[Kleftiwallah]

Good afternoon Azaz,  I think the nature of onion seedlings make them appear leggy when they are quite normal.   I suspect they are past the "crook stage"  this is when the seedlings emerge doubled up then straighten themselves out.  

If you can put them somewhere near a bright overhead light they may well thicken up because they will streaching up to the light right now .  Don't discard any plant.   Cheers,   Tony.

[Kristen]

In case it helps here are mine (click the thumbnail for a larger image) - about 3 weeks old. Some have straightened up, some are still "crook" shaped. Some still have the seed coat attached.

They were germinated on a propagator, pricked out and then put in the unheated conservatory.

[daisy1990]

and mine look just the same, plenty of time for them to thicken yet!

[Azazello]

These are some of mine - most I think are fine but there are some which are very gangly.

I'll put them in my mini-greenhouse in the morning and see what happens. Some have barely germinated. 

I guess they won't all bolt!

[DD.]

I am re-assured by the photos of other's onion plants.

There maybe a chance I get more than a jar of pickles out of mine this year!

[JayG]

Me too!!! 

The ones I transplanted into modules a couple of weeks ago before evicting into the greenhouse about a week ago are nice and green but doing nothing.

The "spares" which I didn't transplant are still on the kitchen windowsill, and are looking increasingly pale (and also doing nothing!)

[DD.]

I have never got to grips with onion plants, nor they with me. I've tried them, this could be their last chance. Why bother when I get big onions from sets?

[Azazello]

I have never got to grips with onion plants, nor they with me. I've tried them, this could be their last chance. Why bother when I get big onions from sets?

I'm starting to think the same, still, nothing ventured...

[Kristen]

These are some of mine - most I think are fine but there are some which are very gangly.

I see it differently. You have some that are still bend-double, and some that have already straightened out. I reckon they are 100% fine "Carry on Captain Mannering"

[Kristen]

I have never got to grips with onion plants, nor they with me. I've tried them, this could be their last chance. Why bother when I get big onions from sets?

Perservere.

I grew sets for decades ... last year was the first from seed, far better than anything I have grown from sets.

The only thing I did "special" was that I did not plant from modules as-is, but I ran my fingers through the root-ball to untangle them, and planted the roots straight-down in the planting hole. Other than that, just Water a bit like I did the Sets previously.

[DD.]

I'll keep with it, but "Centurion" sets will take a lot of beating!