Onion set size

[Mumbles]

Hi all

I ordered the onion sets from the back of last months mag which arrived today with a note saying they are smaller than expected so they've sent more.

My question is do small sets just lead to small onions? Or are there other problems?

Thanks


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[Bill HH]

In my opinion it makes not difference, as long as the genetic information is in the set it will grow.

[Farmer_Gyles]

i just picked up 200 senshyu / electric - the size difference between some of them is amazing - but it's always been like that - and i always get some big onions and loads of 'ok' sized ones

[Bigmallly]

As Bill says, it shouldn't make any difference. The set will have been grown from seed but was maybe stopped earlier than usual.

[VolesAteMyPeas]

I was asking this question about shallots the other day. I'll be interested in the answers. I read somewhere here that small garlic sets are less prone to bolting in the spring but I don't know if this applies to all the alliums. There must be a study so we here but I have yet to find it!

[Jay22]

Yet another question from me...if you plant onions just now do they stay in the ground throughout winter? When are they ready for eating? Sorry that's two questions!

[Bex]

Yet another question from me...if you plant onions just now do they stay in the ground throughout winter? When are they ready for eating? Sorry that's two questions!

Yes and I think you harvest July time.


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[Mumbles]

Great thanks guys


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[Jay22]

Thanks Bex!

[Kirk]

You may get a better crop in one way from small size onion sets.
They may bolt less.

If the onion is too big it may register the initial growth as the first year, meaning next year is it's second year and that is when they produce a flower head and seed (bolt in our terms).