Onions not growing!!

[hypnophil]

My onion sets planted at about the same time as my friends are really small compared to his.
I didn't have much luck last year so manured a different bit of ground this year for them but they are still not growing much, should i feed them or pull them up.
There are red and white ones, some not growing at all.
Mine are about 3 inches if that and his are about a foot or more.
What can i do?
thanks

[Nicos]

Are they a different variety???
I have 2 varieties and the red are more advanced than the white ones.They've only been in about 3 weeks and are about2" high max- and some of them are thinking about growing!!! ( maybe yours are growing loads of roots at the moment?????)

[hypnophil]

I thought my friend may have a quicker variety, but still expected mine to be a bit livelier!
Hopefully it is them growing roots, i have an idea that they should be ready about june time so they better grow quick soon.
Maybe i will pull one up and look at its roots

[Snadger]

............................
Mine are about 3 inches if that and his are about a foot or more.
What can i do?
thanks

YOURS are bigger than mine!!!!!

[hypnophil]

Some of the same sets are bigger in the lettuce bed where i planted to use them up!!!

[coreopsis]

Give them a chance,it's still early...
Mine are just poking their heads out-they are from seeds,not bulbs...

[Two_Sheds]

should i....pull them up.

Well, you could threaten them with that!

[Peter Bluestar]

Hi I'm quite new to this and planted Autumn Onions last year. I made the mistake of not putting the sets in deep enough so riddled some top soil over about a month ago.

The leaves are really long and green but the bulbs don't seem to be grwing.

Is it catastophic or am I just being too impatient?

[Creemteez]

Lordy, lordy, we are a bunch of impatient, onion-envy-riddled Herberts, aren't we?
Calm down dears, it's only May!
I suggest you give your onions a light weeding, a dressing of blood fish and bone, a good watering, then sit back and let Mother Nature do her bit.
I'm sure they will all come right in the end.

[rustylady]

Hi I'm quite new to this and planted Autumn Onions last year. I made the mistake of not putting the sets in deep enough so riddled some top soil over about a month ago.

The leaves are really long and green but the bulbs don't seem to be grwing.

Is it catastophic or am I just being too impatient?

The bulbs won't start swelling yet, they're not meant to. The leaves grow first to provide the plants with enough energy to swell the bulbs. Autumn planted sets should be ready late June/July/August. Be warned, though - they don't store as well as spring planted sets which mature later.

[chriscross1966]

I doubt a standard variety would be that big yet, most of my "normal" onion seedlings still look like grass ATM..... the Kelsaes are starting to pick up though,..... the only decently big onion plants I've got ATM are some Egyptian tree onions that went in pots in about February in the greenhouse..... There's some overwintered (from seed) onions on the next plot to mine that look pretty impressive though..... about 14-18 inches tall they might well be red mammoth thoush so it's not fair compariing it to a "normal" onion..... you aren't expecting yours to get to 5-6lbs for starters.......

chrisc

[Peter Bluestar]

Thanks for that, the leaves on the Onions (not sure of the type) are 12 inches high at the moment but the Autumn Garlic I planted at the same time boast leaves that are 24 inches.These are a Garlic Duo pack from Marshalls.

The chalottes (Eschalote Griseare) are a bit like grass in a planter so I'll stick with them.

1st time on the forum and appreciate the advice, thanks again.

[COMPOST CORNER]

The bulbs won't start swelling yet, they're not meant to. The leaves grow first to provide the plants with enough energy to swell the bulbs. Autumn planted sets should be ready late June/July/August. Be warned, though - they don't store as well as spring planted sets which mature later.

When can I expect my spring (Late March) planted sets to mature then? I was expecting August for them, It's good to know so I'm not thinking I've failed and try to lift them early.

[hypnophil]

I will throw some blood fish and bone at them and see how they go, but if they dont perk up they're out cos i could do with the room.
Definately not doing onions next year, leeks are better anyway!!!