Onion bolting...

[stv]

Hi there,

I planted onion sets in January, and all was going well until this sudden change of weather to very wet, which we are experiencing now.
Has anyone experienced the same problems and apart from pulling off the immature flower heads is there anything i could do try to avoid the whole crop going the same way?


thanks,
Steve

[vicki lorraine]

there are a couple of other threads on this. My onions have bolted too. Im doing the same - pinching out any flowers.
Do a search for onions bolting in the box at the top.

[Flummery]

I know you are a fair bit south of me but January seems very early for onion sets. I plant in March. Maybe the stress has made them bolt - cold, dry, wet is a strange sequence.

[jondanie]

I agree with Flummery, it's way too early for planting onion sets. They get the cold snap, which is what probably triggered your sets to bolt. A hot dry spell with inadequate watering will cause them to bolt too.

[stv]

I bought the sets from a reputable local shop who told me it was ok to plant then...

[vicki lorraine]

My overwintered japanese onions have begun to bolt so im using them now when needed. Taste great.
Perhaps they were left over japanese sets and the man who sold them thought they might be okay.

[Pyewacket]

Onions Bolting

Some of my shallots have started to bolt too.

They started to grow flowers after the very hot April we have had. I noticed one or two with flowers starting to form about 2 weeks ago.

Also my allotment neighbour says his garlic is bolting.

Do I leave the flowers on and harvest as normal but use those ones first or do I take off the flowers now? Then harvest as normal in a couple of months.

Would it be a good idea to try to save my own seed for next year? They were planted as sets in late winter/early spring according to the instructions.

Pyewacket

[pigletwillie]

I wouldnt save seed from any allium that bolts as it may be a trait in the seed.

The stresscaused by the hot and then wet weather can cause sets to bolt especially if planted too early. They see it as a trigger to run to seed as to them, its a change in season.

With garlic, just snap off the flower heads asap and harvest and store as normal. Any onions and shallots that throw up flower heads will not store well and will have a hard centre where the stalk comes from so its best to use these up quickly.

[greengoddess]

Hi everyone. This is my first post and I have only had my allotment since January. During the last couple of weeks, my onions have grown what only can be described as little hats that look like arabian hats on the top! Can anyone tell me what this is please? They look very cute but I am sure that this is not how they are supposed to look! Thank you!

[The Doctor]

Based on your description, I think you'll find they're the developing seed heads.

If you're planning on keeping the seed let them develope, if not, best pinch them off and follw the above advice.

[Trilby]

Hi everyone
A couple of my Allotment Onions have started to set seed, They were given Free with an order from T @ M and they are proving to be a beautiful onion, so I should like to keep the seed, as I do not know what they are called so can you tel me what I do, to keep them., as this is my first attempt at saving these seeds.
Also my Garlic are really browned of now shall I dig up, if not to early. this weather is playing tricks on everything.

Many thanks Trilby

[Headfry]

Greengoddess and Trilby, welcome to the forum. seems a lot of people - including me, are having onion problems this year! as we say.... next year will be better.
green fingers crossed i guess!

[greengoddess]

Thank you for your help and for your welcome Headfry ! The said onions have now been pulled and I'm trying to pass them off as huge spring onions :-)