Trimming seedlings

[Spunky]

Hello all I've got some leek and onion seedlings currently under lights what I'm wondering is could I keep trimming them to keep them about 4-5" tall untill March when I put them outside?

[Penellype]

I don't think trimming them will harm them as such, as both are monocots, which effectively means they grow from the bottom rather than the tip, which dicots do. However I would assume that if you keep trimming off the top growth you will be depleting the plant's food supply so you will probably get smaller bulbs when you come to harvest. I've no proof of this though, and I do know that some gardeners routinely trim leeks when they are planting them out, so others may disagree with me.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

My thoughts entirely Lady P!

I know we trim roots n top end of leeks before sticking em in final growing positions!

But would seem to think "Chopping off top end" at such a time the seedling is trying to gather energy from leaf form would only interfere with growth n performance!

[Kristen]

I'm missing something - why sow this early under lights, and with too little growing height (I presume?) such that you have to cut the tips?

I think it likely that the early sowing, and stress from being trimmed regularly, may cause them to bolt. I would also be careful about the effect of day-length under lights (assuming you are giving long-ish or very-long day length)

[Spunky]

I've just had googled it and some say it puts more energy into the roots and bulb oh well ill try it there only there to keep the craving away lol

[Spunky]

Reading some of the threads Kirsten it seems a lot of people sow onions at this time, there on for 14 hours same as the chillies

[chilli_grower]

my kelsaes are under lights for 13 hours a day.

My understanding is that in order to get big bulbs they must be started this early!

However, I can provide around 14 inches height with the lamps...

[Spunky]

ive just bought a couple of these chilli grower there mint for the money
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there just to cool it down a bit I'm watering a fair bit

[Kristen]

Reading some of the threads Kirsten it seems a lot of people sow onions at this time, there on for 14 hours same as the chillies

It was the leaf-trimming thing that bothered me, sounded like you didn't have enough height clearance. Not read about that as a means of building up the bulb, but worth a shot.

All the early-started ones I have ever seen have lovingly placed wire hoops to support the foliage, and it seemed to me that 1) Onions don't produce many leaves and 2) Prize growers seemed to make sure that every leaf was given the very best chance to grow and not flop / be wasted.

But I aint never grown show onions and only have that one view in my head, but there are no doubt other ways and for sure lots of "secret recipes" from show winners over the generations

[Spunky]

I've got onions and chillies under the same lamp Kirsten if I had just onions I would leave them be, there not for show lol just an experiment to see how they get on

[chilli_grower]

I have little hoops around mine!!!!