Replanting Tiny Shallots

[VolesAteMyPeas]

Hello,

I've just pulled up some shallots that I planted as sets in spring. They were dying off and whilst they've multiplied, they're very small. The largest is about 3 cm in length.

My question is if I replant these, will they just yield more tiny shallots or are they like garlic where small bulbs can lead to big garlic bulbs? In simpler terms, do small shallot bulbs lead to small shallots or can I expect them to grow bigger multiple bulbs next year if I plant them this autumn? Do I need big starting bulbs to get a good yield? Is there any hope planting these tiny bulbs?

Thank you in advance!

J

[Bigmallly]

Can you clarify what you mean by 3cm. I have put a lot of small shallots aside to plant out next spring. I'm hoping for 2/3 good size shallots from one bulb.

[VolesAteMyPeas]

Hi Bigmally. I mean they're 3 cm in length discounting stem and roots. The actual bulb is 3 cm long. About 2 cm in diameter. Hope that helps.

[Bigmallly]

They are the perfect size for saving.

[VolesAteMyPeas]

Thanks. That's what I needed to know!

[Bigmallly]

Check on the variety & unless they are an overwintering type, I would save them till next spring before planting out.

[VolesAteMyPeas]

Check on the variety & unless they are an overwintering type, I would save them till next spring before planting out.

I Can't remember the variety. They were from B and Q in the sale last summer. By the time I planted them out, this March, most had gone soft. Some have produced a really great harvest though. I'm guessing they're nothing fancy if they're from B and Q!

Is autumn planting really not a good idea then? I assumed that the longer they had in the ground, the bigger they'd become. When's the ideal time to plant shallots then?

[Bigmallly]

This is an extract from the link below:

From sets
Growing onions from sets is generally easier and the crop will mature earlier. As onion sets grow they form a larger bulb. Shallot sets split, forming a clump of bulbs.

Sets are also less likely to be affected by disease
However, they are more prone to bolting (when a flower is produced instead of a bulb)
To reduce the risk of sets bolting, plant the heat-treated sets offered for cultivars prone to bolting
Sets are generally planted in spring:

Plant onion sets in early to mid-spring 5-10cm (2-4in) apart leaving 25-30cm (10in-1ft) between the rows
Plant about 2cm (¾in) deep, in drills or merely push the sets into loose earth. Only the tips of sets should show
Cover with fleece to prevent birds uprooting the sets. Remove the fleece once established in the soil
Plant shallot sets 15-20cm (6-8in) apart in rows 30-45cm (1ft-18in) apart. Only the tips of the bulbs should show
Some onion and shallot cultivars are suitable for autumn planting:

These types are less sensitive to cold exposure that induces bolting (flowering)
Aim to plant onions in September and shallots in October
Use the same spacing for spring-planted sets or module grown plants
Autumn planting is not suitable for heavy soils prone to waterlogging as the crop is more likely to succumb to disease.

Onions and shallots/RHS Gardening