kelsae onions in flower buckets

[chilli_grower]

I am thinking of trying to grow a 'big' onion next year.

Are flower buckets large enough to hold a single kelsae onion do you think?

[Two_Sheds]

I would expect that much compost to go sour with only one onion in it, but what do I know?

[chilli_grower]

hmmmm, Well I assume these onions get rather girthy eventually, so there is no way I can get two in a bucket! How deep do the roots go?

[Two_Sheds]

normal onion roots are only an inch or two long.


However, I do not grow for show, so until Potty or someone comes along, have a gander at this: http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/images/user/...Glazebrook.pdf

[Samurailord]

Check out Dan of Allotment Diary's blog and his vids on youtube.

He grows loads of giant onions and it looks like he uses 20 or 30L buckets filled with a mixture of compost, grit and other stuff.

I'm sure he has posted a video where he explains how he prepares his mix, and how he tends the growing plants.

Andy

[Potstubsdustbins]

Yes it is possible I have a friend who has done it.

However as always when growing in containers it is pretty much impossible without extra feeding during the growing season.

These are kelsae grown this season in a recycled cut down plastic water tank.

I cut the tank to about 12 inches deep and filled with a rich mix of compost, dried FYM and some onion fertiliser but still had to give them extra during the season.

There is a thread 'onions from seed' where you will find some great advice from AP.

Potty.

[johnjohn]

Here's a link to Potty's thread http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eed_69067.html

[Aberdeenplotter]

The world record onion was grown by a gentleman named Peter Glazebrook and he managed to achieve over 18lbs. Mind you he does go to extremes with polytunnels within polytunnels and he also "feeds" them with CO2. I'm almost certain he uses 50 litre pots. The compost doesn't go sour .

There used to be a video on the NVS website but it doesn't seem to be there anymore.

The first prize for the heaviest onion at the Harrogate show I think is £500 with an extra £1000 I think if the world record is broken. All needed to cover the costs of artificial heating and lighting, co2, sterilised compost etc.

[chilli_grower]

very interesting stuff.

Yes I have read Pottys thread a few times, and something new sinks in every time.

a 3 or 4 pounder will do me. Fingers crossed.

Or maybe I could plant 2 in one of those rubber trug things from b and q?

[Potstubsdustbins]

CG, if you know a plumber ask if he has any second hand plastic cold water storage tanks. These start at 25 gallon actual and run up to 60 gallon actual, I will leave you to do the conversion.

There are quite a few about now as they are no longer needed when a combi boiler is fitted and are a pain to get rid off. I use them whole for main crop spuds and cut down for onions.

One word of warning don't bother with the galvanised steel ones they are useless.

Potty

[chilli_grower]

my only restriction with that, would be the available room that I have.

Do you think rubber trugs with handles would be ok? As I can tuck them away in the garden quite nicely. And being green, they 'blend in'.

Thank you

[Aberdeenplotter]

as long as you have drainage, any container will work. My uncle who is now over 80, grows kelsaes in 2 ltre pots and achieves weights of 2½ - 3lbs