Pigletwillies Banana Shallot Seed update

[pigletwillie]

All of the people who requested seeds, they should be with you early next week as they were posted first class today.

The envelopes contain a good measure of seed and will have enough for you to either plant them all, save some for next year or give some away.

If you all save a few shallots (should the seed actually grow) and plant them in March or April 2008 you will hopefully have your own seed to harvest come that August ready for the following year.

The aim is to get our own UK strain of open pollinated banana shallots up and running and as seed has gone to all areas of the country we should have some success in this.

Please use this thread to post updates on how you are getting on.

If anybody else wants to join in please PM me with your address details, dont worry about postage or seed swaps, and I will send you some seed as there is still a bit left.

[Mrs Dobby]

Many thanks for that PW, we will keep you updated as to how they are getting on!

[Lesley Jay]

Thanks Piglet. If these are successful it will be a first!!

[smallblueplanet]

Looking forward to getting the seeds PW, any chance of a short growing guide?

Was gonna start 'em off in modules when they arrive, can they go in the unheated greenhouse or do they need to be frost-free?

[Lesley Jay]

I am sure that Piglet will oblige with a growing guide for us.

[ilex]

Have you seen this site? This man is selling seeds for £5 per 20 seeds
http://www.bananashallot.com/

[Alice]

Thanks Ilex, yes we know they are very expensive.

Thanks Piglet. Will give them my best attention and best shot and keep you posted on progress.

[pigletwillie]

Growing Instructions

Well you should all have over 100 seeds each arriving in the next day or so.

To grow them, treat them just like onions from seed. I personally sow 30-40 seeds into a 4" pot of compost. Firstly water the compost well and let it dain for a few minutes, sprinkle over the seeds and cover with a thin layer of vermiculite. Keep them on a windowsill or in a propogator until they are at the crook stage. Now either prick out into trays or individual modules in a sheltered place until ready to plant out. Some people may wish to sow seed individualy into modules to start with, either way should bring you success.

Please note that each seed will produce only one shallot and not a clump like traditional shallot sets. Please update the thread as things progress.

[ilex]

I PM you yesterday Piglet. Do you have anymore seeds?

[Mrs Dobby]

Shallot seeds safetly arrived this morning, thanks very much PW!

We're going to plant half this year, save 6 of the resulting shallots to plant for seed next year and grow the rest of the seeds for crops next year too, that way we should have crops to last us until we've got our own seeds! Once we reach that point we'll start to pass seeds onto others too, as that willboth return PW's favour and ensure that they spread far and wide!

[Lesley Jay]

Yes, thank you Piglet. My shallot seeds arrived safely. Now I just have to grow the damned things!!!

[supersprout]

Mine arrived this morning too pw, thank you so much, is it right to sow straight away or wait a little?

[pigletwillie]

try both SS, you should have plenty of seed.

[supersprout]

Thank you Piglet - have sack of seed compost in the kitchen, time to go and make one of the first messes of the season!

[Alice]

The seeds arrived this morning Piglet. Thank you ever so much. I'm going to go for a sowing now and a later sowing as there is plenty of seed. Will keep you posted. Thanks again.