|
| I posted this in the Allium forum, but I noticed the VEGETABLE forum has more traffic -- more feedback, possibly BIGGER onions. :) So far, I've only had success growing leeks and scallions. I've tried Utah Jumbo, but "Jumbo" they are not. I have a variety of red and I've read that starting from sprouts is the way to go. So, I have a tub of sprouts about 10 in. long -- they're ready to go in the ground. Let me try to get this right-- although I don't have dibble, I was going to use a pencil and poke holes 3 in. deep. Drop them in said holes and loosely fill with fine soil. Then trim the leaves to about 1 in. above surface. Is that correct? I've also read that they like Nitrogen. Is this true? I know they like Phosphorus, never heard they also like Nitro. Thanks. Kevin |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| the method is fine. I do not trim them. Sure they like nitrogen, who doesn't? big tops make big bulbs. In my very composted garden P, once nearly absent, is now above optimal. If you, too, have composted in the past, you would be better off giving them some urea, and that's it. |
|
| I'm not sure I'm correctly understanding your question, are you trying to grow regular bulb onions? If so, I think your techniques are very different, but I am in a very different part of the country, so take what I say with a grain of salt! If I had your tray of sprouts, I would make the holes a little less deep, and certainly not trim off the leaves. Unless it is crazy hot there, but I would mulch with straw or something rather than sacrifice the leaves. Keep them well watered for a week or so after transplant if it is dry there, or just keep an eye out for wilting if it is not. Not so sure about the phosphorus, are you thinking of them as a root vegetable? A lot of gardening manuals do that for some reason, but onions do like nitrogen because they really are a leaf crop. That bulb we eat is the swollen base of the leaves, the roots of onions are small and comparatively unnoticable. Up the nitrogen and I think you will be happy with the results. Cheers! |
|
- Posted by farmerdill (My Page) on Thu, Nov 29, 12 at 16:22
Concur. the onion is a leaf vegetable with a very high requirement for nitrogen. They bulb almost on top of the ground. At three inches they may never bulb or if they do be very small. In your area, make sure you have short day onions for winter planting. Just push the plants into the surface of the soil so the top of the tiny bulb is slightly above the soil surface. Onions are easy to grow, but planting them too deep or covering the growing bulb is the major reason for failure.    |
|
| Agree that cutting off the tops is neither necessary nor desirable. |
|
| As mentioned, "make sure you have short day onions for winter planting. " That is crucial to your success. I suggest some reading about how to grow onions on the Dixondale Farm Onions website. Great information. Dave |
|
| Thanks everybody for the feedback -- hopefully I can be more successful. Sunnibel: Yes. Bulbs in this case. Farmerdill and digdirt. Yep, got some Red Burgundy which I have read are a short-day. Thanks again everybody. Kevin |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.