Mushy onions

[blackcatlois]

My overwintering onions have gone mushy and the tips of the growth are white, looking similar to the damping off disease that seedlings have. The soil where they've been growing is very wet and in fact the top soil has turned a greenish colour - could it be they've not had enough drainage over the winter - never mind the fact we had temperatures of minus 10C some nights. Never had this problem before. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Jeanied]

Sounds like onion rot to me - mine get this as well, so rotate the crop when you can.

[blackcatlois]

The sets themselves aren't white though, just the tips of the green growth - can't see any white fungus stuff on them.

[rustylady]

When you say gone mushy, what exactly do you mean?

[Two_Sheds]

The soil where they've been growing is very wet and in fact the top soil has turned a greenish colour - could it be they've not had enough drainage

It sounds like they've rotted (if you mean that the bulb has gone mushy?)

The green on your soil is likely to be algae, from poor drainage and low light. Is it a shady spot? Onions like to be in full sun

[blackcatlois]

Two Sheds - Well, they are under an enviromesh tunnel and the snow may have stuck to it during that bad weather and I didn't get down there in the bad weather to shake it off.

Rustylady - I squeeze the bulbs and they're mushy, like roasted garlic cloves, I suppose.

[threepeas]

hi

Mine are like that to i was thinking about digging them all up and starting again, the garlic that is in the same bed seems to be doing fine!!!

[Jeanied]

Only one thing to do, folks - hoick 'em out, don't compost them - and start some fresh sets somewhere else! That's three things. Sorry.

[Paulottie]

Don't necessarily think you've got a right off....they may well pick up yet...Green probably means high nitrogen content....Certainly think you should rake round your onions at this time of year anyway.I usually give bonemeal...worrying part is lack of drainage. White tips - so what. you'd look a bit ill after a winter outside like that....they shouldn't have any bulbs yet anyway. so can't understand what is 'mushy'...normally like a spring onion with a shell from the set.

Don't panic, give a little love and pop in a packet of spring sets elsewhere incase.

[Snadger]

Best thing to do, I would say is lift one and look at the roots. If the roots seem healthy it's probably only the outer husk of the onion drying out because it doesn't need its reserves once it has its own roots! There IS a disease known as onion 'white tip' but I would give them a chance before making a snap decision.

[blackcatlois]

Thanks for your replies everyone - Paulottie, the set itself has gone mushy - if I squeeze with my fingers, it is like puree

[SlugLobber]

Mine aren't looking fabulous, either, but no white bits/rot that I can see. I was planning to lift them all, rake/feed the ground and re-plant, along with a fresh set of red barons that I bought this week. Am hoping this will spur them on!!

[Snadger]

Mine aren't looking fabulous, either, but no white bits/rot that I can see. I was planning to lift them all, rake/feed the ground and re-plant, along with a fresh set of red barons that I bought this week. Am hoping this will spur them on!!

Shake the bag of Red Baron over the top of them and it might spur them on! Lol

[vegnut]

Thanks for your replies everyone - Paulottie, the set itself has gone mushy - if I squeeze with my fingers, it is like puree

Hmm i'd be a little concerned about leaving them in the soil.

[chris]

Great way to start onion sauce though!!