Sorry - daft question!!!

[Chel]

Hi All,
Can I ask a daft question please about shallot seeds, . I have planted some for the first time this year and they are doing well but wondered if in their first year I will only get one bulb and will not multiply like sets, if so if I save some bulbs for next year will they multiply then? they are Simiane, red banana shaped variety.
Cheers
Chel

[Bigmallly]

Hello Chel & welcome to the vine. I believe Simiane is a Banana Shallot & will only grow one bulb. Banana Shallots don't multiply like the round ones.

[Chel]

Thanks Bigmally, that's a great help.

[Bigmallly]

No probs, if you want a group of Shallots, you'll need the round ones.

[Snadger]

...............Here's a one to ponder on then...........if it only grows one bulb, what are the distinguishing features that make it a shallot as opposed to an onion?

I grow torpedo onions (both red and gold) which look very similar and have defined tastes which are similar to shallots.

The banana shallot, or echalion, is a cross between a regular shallot and an onion. It has inherited the best qualities from each side, the larger size of the onion (though it is elongated in shape - hence the name "banana shallot") and the mildness and sweetness of the shallot

Not a lot of people know that!