Red Onion Bother???

[adjohnson1971]

This year I planted autumn sowing garlic, yellow, white and red onions. I've noticed that the garlic, yellow and white onions have started to shoot up superbly. The red variety however have done absolutely nothing, of the 2 rows sown, only 2 or 3 sets have started to grow. Why???? In all honesty I've never had much success with red varieties, but each year always try again as everything has got 2 chances. Are red onions harder to grow, or do they need some sort of special care??

[Snadger]

I grow all my red onions from spring sown seeds..............I've just wasted so much money on so many red onion sets going to seed.......I just don't bother any more!

[rustylady]

I got Electric (Red) this year - the only onion sets I could find locally (and that was 40 miles away near Ipswich at a garden centre near my daughter's house). Started them in cell trays and they seem OK apart from about 4 that haven't sprouted. They're ready to put on the lottie if it ever dries enough to get there. My summer red ones from sets were pathetic, I had some smallish ones from the seedsown batch (Brunswick Red).

[smallblueplanet]

We really like Long Red Florence, grown from seed, still very tasty if they shoot early too.

[bobleponge]

I put in red and white onion sets before I left home this time. Had my mate round checking up yesterday, and all appear to be going well.
I grew a full bag of sets red and white last year, cant remember the variety, and there were only 4 that didnt grow from all that I planted.
Probably just lucky I guess.

[adjohnson1971]

Must admit, the red sets did quite well last year, although they didn't last very long as they rotted away very quickly, I put this down to the amount of rain we had during the summer months. i'm not truthfully aware of which variety I used.

[Snadger]

We really like Long Red Florence, grown from seed, still very tasty if they shoot early too.

Now you're talking! They make the most wonderful tasting soup or gravy as well!

[jackie j]

I am a bit scared to try onion from seed, funny cos most other stuff I start from seed.

[smallblueplanet]

I know what you mean jj, we overwatered ours the first time we tried, so now we do them in one of those self-watering polystyrene modules - very easy. I guess just water from the bottom would do the trick. Give it a go, they're great things to start growing when nothing else is and easy once you've got the knack.

Here are last years in the (cold) porch.

[maytreefrannie]

I find I seem to get fewer red onions than white even if I plant the same number of each (I use sets). Also, the red onions are usually smaller.

I can't remember which variety I used last year, I think I'll try to get Long Red Florence this year - I have Snadger's authority that they're great in soups and gravies and I've heard a few others mention them as well.

[adjohnson1971]

I must admit I've never had much luck growing onions from seed. I think the slugs have always got to them 1st, but will give some reds a try for 2009.

[SarzWix]

Electric are a good red variety for over-wintering, and I had great success with spring-planted Red Emperor this time, much better than Red Baron - only 3 went to seed so I'll happily use them again this year (they were from T&M).

The main problem for over-wintered onions (red, white or brown!) is water-logging, they do need reasonable drainage. It's worth working in a bit of compost/sand mix when you plant them if you have particularly wet ground.

[rustylady]

Waterlogging is certainly a problem at the moment - mine are still waiting to go onto the lottie from their cell trays. It's done nothing but rain here lately.

[Demeter]

I must admit I've never had much luck growing onions from seed. I think the slugs have always got to them 1st, but will give some reds a try for 2009.

I grew some from seed this year (sets too for insurance!) - germinated no problem and I sowed in modules so there was no pricking out to do. However, when I planted the first lot out the slugs ate them more or less instantly. The remainder are still on my patio in modules, they are plenty big enough to be safe from slugs now but I don't much fancy putting my hands in the soil in all this cold! They may go out if we have a mild spell or they may just stay where they are until spring... Either way, I am hoping that leaving them in cell trays will avoid both the hassle of pricking out and the danger of slugs.