[DrGreenthumb]

hi, can anyone advise on my japanese onions? My Wife and I got our allotment last october and promptly researched for something to start growing asap, this led us to order japanese white and red onions which (it was advertised) we could sow during winter. we put them into a newly cleared patch in january and they are doing very well but i wonder if they need feritilser to achieve their best potential, and if so what is the best option. it has been suggested by a fellow allotmenteer that a top dressing of blood fish and bone will help them along but i'm unfamiliar with its use, any help gratefully received 

[Robin Redbreast]

it will give them added nutrients and bring them on but dont over do the amount around each plant and dont let it touch the plant or leaves as i understand! i did japanese but they went to seed but there was alot of weed!

[DrGreenthumb]

thanks for the reply Robin Redbreast, yes a fellow allotmenteer suggested that they might go to seed as he felt that we'd planted them too early  but we were keen to see something growing on our newly acquired lotty. oh well if i see seed heads appearing i'll snap them off and hope for the best 

[Robin Redbreast]

if ya catch the seeds early enough pull the onions out of the ground and use whats left around the centre of the onion as  the centre becomes woody an unuseable other than for firewood!
 

[sunshineband]

Last year I found out the hard way that they need to be clear of weeds and other competition, and need enough water.

This year mine are weed free and well watered and look just fine.

I shall be giving the a little fillip of BFB in a week or two, especially was we have had so much rain and what I added last year has no doubt now got washed in a bit deep

Hoping for none running to seed this year... had a few last year but just used those first 

[Mrs Bee]

We planted our first lot of Japanese onions in September 2010 when we first cleared part of our jungle, er I mean plot and we got 2 sacks of tasty onions with only a couple going to seed.

I don't think we gave them any BFB but we had made raised beds and filled the bottom with chicken poo.

[yorky]

thanks for the reply Robin Redbreast, yes a fellow allotmenteer suggested that they might go to seed as he felt that we'd planted them too early 

No you had'nt planted them too early, in fact you were a little on the late side. I think your fellow allotmenteer was confusing them with normal summer grown onions.

[DD.]

I agree 100% with the above analysis!

[snowdrops]

Me too. Last weekend I hoed & weeded mine & added chicken pellets.

[gavinjconway]

Mine always get planted in Oct / Nov so yours were a bit late - not too early... they will be fine and no need for any more food if you gave them a feed when you planted them.. If not then just a wee bit of BFB would be good.   Mine are ready in 3 days for first picking.. We use as green onion in white sauce. Almost the whole plant is used.  Every year I pick on 1st May!! They are thumb thickness now so a great size and ready to be eaten!

[New shoot]

I use mine as giant spring onions as well    Mine went in September last year and have been picking for a few weeks now.

[gavinjconway]

I use mine as giant spring onions as well    Mine went in September last year and have been picking for a few weeks now.

You beat me to it!!     I'm going to go later to pull 3 out for supper  ... a few days early but hey I'm looking forward to them.. 

[New shoot]

I love onions of all sorts but the fresh spring ones are a treat.  Your white sauce idea sounds nice Gavin.  May have to nick that one 

[boogaloo]

My japanese have been in since November also. They're still pretty healthy - I assume if you don't go for them as 'giant springs' you get something approaching a normal onion in size in about a month or two? Do they taste any different to non-japanese onions??

[yorky]

I assume if you don't go for them as 'giant springs' you get something approaching a normal onion in size in about a month or two? Do they taste any different to non-japanese onions??

You assume correctly, just leave them in and they will make normal sized onions. The taste is just the same as any other onion.