Small shallots from seed - reuse as sets?

[idiotwind]

I had mixed results, due to poor soil preparation and late planting, growing shallots from seed this year. I've got some edible sizes but a lot of small bulbs. Compost or try to replant them as homegrown sets in a couple of months?

[Jay-ell]

I'd be tempted to have a go at using them as sets - what have you got to loose apart from a little bit of bed space?

[lottie dolly]

I could be wrong,but,depends what shallots they are,some are only grown from seed,do not split,but will go to seed,thus giving you free seed,but nothing to eat,the shallot sets split into several cloves,where as the others do not,what are they called,and did any split,if they small,could you pickle them,prep and freeze them for hot pots ext,or even blitz some in a blender with a little oil and herb/spice and freeze in small amouts,use as a base for lots of cooking.

[Bill Door]

If you used Zebrune shallot seeds then they are really onions and will not produce more shallots. As per Lottie Dolly.

However, if you have produced shallots that will split as per Lottie Dolly then I see no reason why you should not use the shallots to produce more next year. I would also not worry about the size of the shallot as I think they will produce shallots again.

If they were from zebrune seeds then you could also plant them again in an out of the way place (at least two ) and save the seeds. There are web pages explaining how to segregate the onion flowers so that you don't get cross pollination.

Good luck

Bill

[idiotwind]

Thank you everyone (and good advice re: blitzing and freezing) - they are zebrune seeds - would they 'bulk up' if replanted or just flower?

[Markyw]

I have grown Zebrune for seed this year from last years crop they do not split up they just go to seed,you will get loads of seed and it is worth doing if you like them,