Onion seedling wilt

[pumpkin cuddler]

Hello,

I know the Onion sets are out now, but in December I started some onion seeds (Mammouth) in doors in a cool place looking after them carefully, I was looking forward to big ones.

They came up nice and strong, but just recently all but one has collapsed! I'm expecting that to fall any day.

Can someone please tell me what I have done wrong. I know it must be something simple. Just so I know what to do next year.

Thanks if you can help

Ms Onionless

[zazen999]

I would imagine it is damping off disease. Very common amongst new seedlings unfortunately.

Can be stopped by spraying with copper sulphate, but I've had best success by keeping a good airflow around seedlings.

You've still got time to get some more seedings in. Try also sowing into separate pots so that if one gets it you can save the rest. Is there anywhere you can keep them that will keep the airflow up a bit?

[PAULW]

It is also best to water from the bottom rather than pour water over the compost

[shirlthegirl43]

I had a similar problem the first time I tried onions from seed. I was advised that I may not have covered the seeds deeply enough. I put more compost on the next lot and they grew fine (sadly still didn't get a crop - they got flooded out last 'summer'