Pigletwillies Banana Shallot Seed update

[smallblueplanet]

PW shallots sown yesterday, 4 to a small 'module'.

Will they be warm enough in an unheated greenhouse?

[pigletwillie]

Wait until there all up Tricia and then into a frost free greenhouse with them.

[smallblueplanet]

How much warmth do they require to germinate PW? Will they be okay in a frost-free utility room on the windowsill, or would they be better in the house?

[pigletwillie]

Mine are in a frost free greenhouse SBP and germinated well in there with no problems at all. If you pop them on a windowsill you should do just fine chuck.

[smallblueplanet]

Thanks duck, have moved them to the cool utility room just in case.

[pigletwillie]

In the midlands SBP its "me duck" as in "ey oop me duck" but in reallity that s bit further north into woolyback country. We speak real posh in Leicestershire.

[smallblueplanet]

Oy! Derbyshire born and bred me. Woollyback? I think you mean Sheep-sh@gger?!! C'mon you Rams!!!

[Fezinio]

Oy! Derbyshire born and bred me. Woollyback? I think you mean Sheep-sh@gger?!! C'mon you Rams!!!

Come on you rip roaring potters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go on STOKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pigletwillie]

The seedlings are about an inch high now with over 90% germination. A test sowing of 200 seeds resulted in 182 seedlings popping up.

No heat was given and the seeds were sown in a 4" pot filled with compost containing added John Innes and covered with 1/4" of the same. The pot was left in an unheated greenhouse.

[shirlthegirl43]

When is the latest I can sow my seeds PW? In the absence of a greenhouse will they be happy in the shelter of the house? Also, you say to save some plants this year to allow to seed next year - could you please explain - will they not go to seed this year? sorry to be so dim.

[pigletwillie]

Shirl,

they will be happy in the shelter of the house but ensure that there is protection available from wind, excess rain and hard frosts.

Ths actual shallots that I saved from last year will be planted in March and will mostly run to seed. This seed will be harvested in August or September and will be used to grow next years crop of shallots to eat. I hope that clears things up Shirl.

[smallblueplanet]

So the shallot seed this year will grow into shallots, but they won't set seed until next year? Do you have to 'dig them up' or could you leave them in the ground until spring next year?

[shirlthegirl43]

[QUOTE=pigletwillie;57501]Shirl,

they will be happy in the shelter of the house but ensure that there is protecrion available from wind, excess rain and hard frosts.

QUOTE]

LOL - only protection from excess rain and wind here is inside the house - and even then it isn't certain today!!! Anyone else hanging on by their fingernails?

[pigletwillie]

SBP, its best to lift them , let them dry as you would onions and then store them in a cool, dry place till the spring.

[madderbat]

Hi PW (nice sig today )
Can you advise please. Mr MB set your seed last weekend and put them in a seed tray i the back bedroom which is unheated.
I went up today and noticed that there is a grey mould on the compost.
Should they be kept outdoors, (we don't have a greenhouse) or will they be ok? I'm not sure anything much will stand a chance outdoors in the weather we've been having.

Also, what is the germination time (ish) please (ie when should we start worrying..)
Thanks