What do you know about Electric Onions ?

[RaptorUK]

I like to think about things well in advance . . . if I can.

So this morning I was reading a little and came across overwintering onions, read a bit more and liked the idea of growing some Red Onions from seed as overwintering onions. I came across the variety Electric and went looking for a seed supplier . . . . I found plenty of suppliers selling sets but no seed anyone know why ?

[Three jobs]

Perhaps no one does ohm delivery!!

[Bigmallly]

If memory serves me right, I think they are a Japanese onion which you should be able to get in sets around Autumn time.

[veggiechicken]

Are they Bulbing onions?




I'll get my coat

[Scarlet]

Overwintering onions are usually bought in sets and planted out in October.
Real seeds and seedaholics sell overwintering seed although not the red electric that you are after. Sowing from seed is a little tricky. They need to be sown in mid august, late enough so that they don't flower but early enough so that they form enough of a bulb to survive the winter. They are not lifted until late June. I think that the time spent on trying to get the seed to the correct bulb size ready for planting puts most gardeners off and so there's not much call for the seed. The sets are an easier option.
I always plant out overwintering sets but I do have a problem with some of them flowering before they are a decent size. Although the red ones seem to do much better than the white ones.

[Snadger]

I have grown Senshyu japanese onions from seed and believe me it wasn't worth the hassle.

Sets are so much easier and cost effective. A packet of seed costs roughly what 50 sets cost. At least with sets you're guaranteed 50 plants, not so with seed.
I gave up on Autumn planted red onions for a long time because they always seemed to bolt. Last Autumn I planted some reds as my logic was that if I am having problems with bolting, so are a lot of other people.
Onion set retailers will soon see a drop in sales if it happens all the time. After a five year spell without red japanese onions only a few of mine have bolted (touch wood) so maybe suppliers have got there act together.

[RaptorUK]

Overwintering onions are usually bought in sets and planted out in October.
Real seeds and seedaholics sell overwintering seed although not the red electric that you are after. Sowing from seed is a little tricky. They need to be sown in mid august, late enough so that they don't flower but early enough so that they form enough of a bulb to survive the winter. They are not lifted until late June. I think that the time spent on trying to get the seed to the correct bulb size ready for planting puts most gardeners off and so there's not much call for the seed. The sets are an easier option.
I always plant out overwintering sets but I do have a problem with some of them flowering before they are a decent size. Although the red ones seem to do much better than the white ones.

The thing I don't understand is that I can get Senshyu seed no problem and Electric sets, so why not Electric seed . . . wouldn't the same challenges you describe also apply to the Senshyu ?

[Bill HH]

Watts an electric onion.

[RaptorUK]

Watts an electric onion.

One that has an open mind and is willing to try different things

[veggiechicken]

Can you buy Electric onion plug plants!!
Serioiusly, I don't know why you can't buy Elactric onion seeds. Maybe the producers have control over the seeds in some way?

[AllInContainers]

Watts an electric onion.

Maybe it has something fused to it ..... but I thought all onions needed a decent earth connection

[Bill HH]

Maybe it has something fused to it ..... but I thought all onions needed a decent earth connection

I think the manufacturers are putting up some resistance, you could complain to Vince Cable he might rectify the situation. Nothing seems to phase that guy.

[AllInContainers]

I think the manufacturers are putting up some resistance

That's shocking!

you could complain to Vince Cable he might rectify the situation. Nothing seems to phase that guy.

Well, at least that's positive. He's certainly a bright spark, so hopefully he'll generate a solution. He's normally a good conduit for current affairs.

BTW - Hope I'm not crimping your style, Bill. I think my sense of humour might be terminal ...

[Alison]

I have grown Senshyu japanese onions from seed and believe me it wasn't worth the hassle.

Sets are so much easier and cost effective. A packet of seed costs roughly what 50 sets cost. At least with sets you're guaranteed 50 plants, not so with seed.
I gave up on Autumn planted red onions for a long time because they always seemed to bolt. Last Autumn I planted some reds as my logic was that if I am having problems with bolting, so are a lot of other people.
Onion set retailers will soon see a drop in sales if it happens all the time. After a five year spell without red japanese onions only a few of mine have bolted (touch wood) so maybe suppliers have got there act together.

Ignoring all the terrible puns and getting back to answering the question......

I find Senshyu do really well from seed but have to buy sets quite often as my mind is off sowing by August and I forget. Following on from this thread have put a note in my diary to sow the packet that are nestling in the. Ottom of my general seed tin.....

Never seen Electric seeds though, strange, you could try collecting seeds from set grown plants but am not sure they would come true.


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[Bal]

Ohm my god they help you see in the dark