a quick question about onion sets in modules...

[weekendwellies]

sounds like a typical teenager TS

[Snadger]

The trick is to get as many green leaves as quickly as possible to help in getting a decent crop.
An onion set will usually put down roots before making leaves, so if you plant them out with a decent root system they should start making leaves that little bit faster..............

[gardenpassion]

Well that is an education!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the advice, I always thought onions were a bit boring, but think there is a challenge to be met from these clever vege!!. Now to sow/set!!

[lottie dolly]

this is what happens underground before the green shoots appear

[salome2001]

well in the spirit of scientific endeavour I've randomly planted half the sets in modules of MP compost and half are nestled on a seed tray as a control group. I'll let you know if there is a significant difference in their performance in 7 months or so

[gardenpassion]

Wow, huge root system. so I guess small pots better than small modules?

[singleseeder]

Wow, huge root system. so I guess small pots better than small modules?

Or tall home made paper pots/tubes?

[zazen999]

Wow, huge root system. so I guess small pots better than small modules?

No - they will be fine in either - as I said earlier, I bung them in a seed tray, shoulder to shoulder and still get loads of roots.

[Currysniffa]

I do the same as Zaz by the sounds of it, I use a old fruit trays from the market lined with news paper and filled with MPC with the sets side by side, I start my shallots off the same, I'll probably start mine at end of the mouth or the beginning off Feb and put them in the greenhouse with some fleece over them, worked well last year in the blow-a-way..

[lottie dolly]

all you do is ease the mat of compost and roots out your tray,then gently tease apart,do not panic if a few root bits break of,it's the norm,with a trowl plant out,
you can do beans the same way to,only leave aprox,2ins apart,soooo much easier,if weather dry,do not forget to water them in,i find it better to dig the hole,put plant in,water,then cover up,so you trap the moisture under ground,but only if the soil is dry below,sometimes gardening is like being a new mum all over again

[gardenpassion]

yes, I agree, completely nuturing nature!! Love it

[zazen999]

No - they will be fine in either - as I said earlier, I bung them in a seed tray, shoulder to shoulder and still get loads of roots.

Further to this just found a photo of the same in pots....

[gardenpassion]

Ah, thats helpful, many thanks.

[Kaiya]

I started my Japanese onions off in those 1 inch modules (36 to a tray I think) - smallest modules you can get and they LOVED it. I was actually worried they'd over done it and wouldn't last winter once planted out, but so far they're tolerating the cold clay and subzero temps, although something has nibbled the tops of a few. I did shallots and garlic the same way, any random pot or old seed tray, bung them in. I even have garlic growing at two levels in a deeper pot (thought I might as well try it) - garlic bunkbeds.

I like the shoulder-to-shoulder idea - I'll use that next year rather than use a module if they don't care about modules. Save the modules for more sensitive individuals.

[Tripmeup]

Interesting thread !! Have some sets bought, although I do need more so will purchase soon, particularly shallots I am thinking!!
Do the same general ideas apply to leeks and chives though, presume so ?