[Dopey113]

On one of my (many) onions, a flower head formed, I took it off (red onion) its meant to be a big onion, did I do the right thing? I'm thinking its best to take it off so the strength will go to the onion rather than the flower?

RED KARMEN or RED CREOLE ( I think)

[mattwragg94]

yes you where right in taking the flower head off and you where also right in thinking that if you left the flower on all of the onions energy would go into the flower 

[JayG]

Onions (and shallots, and leeks) can be triggered into bolting by unfavourable growing conditions - the plant "thinks" it has to rush its flowering and seed setting to make sure it still completes its life-cycle.

Unfortunately, the sort of things which can stress them in this way are cold wet spells, and hot dry spells..............don't think you will be the only one having problems this year Dopey!

All you can do is keep them watered and hope for the best - breaking off the flower head is the right thing to do but the remains of the stalk will remain inside the onion which will tend to be thick necked and not keep well.

[Dopey113]

Will all the others flower as well, or doesn't it work that way?

[DD.]

Some may, some may not!

[JayG]

No guarantees either way in gardening - some will break all the rules and get away with it (sometimes!) 

[Dopey113]

Definitive answer 

[DD.]

No sitting on the fence here!