Help - I can't grow Spring Onions

[zazen999]

I've tried growing them for 2 years but they never thicken. They grow tall and spindly and droop over. I've been growing them in the greenhouse in rich compost. Maybe I need to set them outdoors??

Yes and onions don't need rich compost! They grow better in low nutrient soil. Too much nitrogen and they put on top growth and not alot else.

Sow a pinch of seed into modules. When about 2-3 inches tall, transplant module by module into the soil. Then leave them be.

[VJay]

Thanks for that. Just ordered a pack of winter spring onions from seeddirect.co.uk. Will try again using soil this time

[Pigeonpoo]

So they cant just be transplanted? I started some White Lisbon in a plant pot the GH. I'm new to gardening and I sowed far too many in the pot - it looked more like a lawn when it came through! I just pulled some out and put them in the ground. They look alive but, am I better starting over again and sowing into the ground? BTW, what is the pinch method?

[zazen999]

So they cant just be transplanted? I started some White Lisbon in a plant pot the GH. I'm new to gardening and I sowed far too many in the pot - it looked more like a lawn when it came through! I just pulled some out and put them in the ground. They look alive but, am I better starting over again and sowing into the ground? BTW, what is the pinch method?

Yes they can!

A pinch is putting a pinch of seed [rather than just one] into each module and transplanting out module by module....

See this...
Evington Hilltop Adventures: Spring onions or Scallions?

[binley100]

Garlic growing well ,bulbs forming, shallots splitting out nicely, seed onions starting to look like onilns, sets coming along nicely................spring onions absolutely b@gger all

[Pigeonpoo]

Yes they can!

A pinch is putting a pinch of seed [rather than just one] into each module and transplanting out module by module....

See this...
Evington Hilltop Adventures: Spring onions or Scallions?

Phew! Thanks for that. I am learning so much on here. I just wish that I had done some reading before I started buying and planting!!

[Suky]

Phew! Thanks for that. I am learning so much on here. I just wish that I had done some reading before I started buying and planting!!

Sorry, but that's like any other instruction book. Only read AFTER you have begun the job!
This year is the first time I have grown spring onions successfully and I used the 'pinch per cell' method too. For your overfull pot, I would tip the whole lot out and break it into little groups of onions and plant each bunch out into their final growing place.

[Pigeonpoo]

Thank you, that's sounds like a good idea - it does say 'thinning not necessary' on the seed packet BUT, I don't expect they thought of an idiot putting half a packet in a plant pot!

[zazen999]

I moved mine tonight, I've not split my modules; and this is what they look like as seedlings....

[crazii_c]

ive also had the same problem, my spring onions germinated fine, but have remained as blades of grass for ages! i'll try increasing the feed i give them.

[lottie dolly]

i to have had no luck with spring onions this year,so far,last year they were great,a lot of things seem to be slow of the mark,thats if they decide to germinate,but the weeds them things seem to be thriving in this heat,

[lettucegrow!]

So pleased to read all this info on this thread. Thought it was just me who failed miserably with spring onions.
Will have another go now with more info stored in the grey cells!!!1

[Minerva]

I find that with spring onion, compared to other plants, the baby plants are very weak so the percentage that make it to full size is quite small and a few in each clump die at each stage of growing so I sow a lot more than I need in each clump to get a decent bunch at the end.

The ones that start in a pot in the green house to the best and the ones which are started in the soil outside appear as full sized plants the next year! Strange!

[BUFFS]

sowed mine in guttering,using bought in topsoil,i find i get better results with it, in greenhouse ,they are now 3ins,so will slide them into their plot on monday,and look forward to their taste..

[VJay]

I moved mine tonight, I've not split my modules; and this is what they look like as seedlings....

[IMG]http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing-onions.jpg[/IMG]

and you'll keep them like that until harvest?...now that's handy