can anyone convince me growing shallots from seed worth it?

[skell43]

Having a real problem with growing shallots from seed , they are 'zebrune' banana type shallots. They suggested on the packet that you should start early indoors as take a long time to grow a bulb.Am on my third try and they start off brilliant , get a long green chive-like shoot,then they start to wilt. Have just transplanted the last lot into a big pot, but not holding my breathe. Its only because I am so tight that I have bought the seeds that I am keeping on sowing!!! Know there is always something each year that you try and don't have much luck with,but any advice from the experts would be great(down to my last 50 seeds)

[zazen999]

I sowed the same 2 weeks ago and they are up already - in an unheated greenhouse. I sow a pinch in modules as taught to me by the Banana Shallot Meister Piglet Willie.

Transplant module by module; once the roots fill the module.

[skell43]

Thanks zazen999 will give that a go , also this is a real 'germinator' question,but I am assuming that you get 1 shallot per seed ? Is this PigletWillie a shallot expert?

[zazen999]

Yes, on both counts.

[Florence Fennel]

You're hiding your light under a bushel Zaz - you're an expert too! I bought some red shallot sets today even though I said I wasn't going to grow any this year and I've a packet of seed to try too.

[zazen999]

You're hiding your light under a bushel Zaz - you're an expert too! I bought some red shallot sets today even though I said I wasn't going to grow any this year and I've a packet of seed to try too.

Aw - thanks!

I just sowed the other half of a packet of long red Florence - my favourite onion and very much like a banana shallot. Can't wait to harvest those babies.

[Kristen]

I am assuming that you get 1 shallot per seed ?

It may depend on the spacing. If they are planted "tight" (say, less then 2" along the row) then you will get singles, if you thine then "Looser" (i.e. 2" or a bit more) then some of them may give you multi-bulbs. Probably depends on variety and which way the wind is blowing too

[zazen999]

If you are sowing banana shallots; from seed then yes - it's one per seed.

Banana shallots can only be grown from seed; they don't separate like other shallots.

[skell43]

Thanks everyone , have put a pinch of seeds in some loo roll modules , hope this will be a successful third try! Hopefully I can plant these out when the time comes and the cardboard will rot away,think that other veg are much easier to grow from seed and so much sturdier when they shoot first that I was getting a bit frustrated!
PS When do you change from a germinator to the next level?

[realfood]

If you look at T&M and Marshalls catalogs, they both have French "longue" shallot sets that separate.

[Two_Sheds]

PS When do you change from a germinator to the next level?

that will be at 50 or 100 posts, something like that