Shallot from Seed or Sets?...

[Dynamite]

Hi there, I was wondering whether to grow Shallot from seeds or just buy sets. I would rather go with seed for the satisfaction factor but I know how much easier sets will be.

How easy are they to grow from seed?

I have a greenhouse and I want them for summer or just after.

I also want a variety I can use for pickling (so small ones) as well as for general use.

Kind Regards.........Rob

[Thelma Sanders]

The only shallot I've grown from seeds is Zebrune, a banana shallot.
It's easy enuf to grow them, but a faff for the yield IMO because you only get one bulb per seed, whereas with sets you get a clump of bulbs per set.
Cheaper to buy a packet of seed, though

[veggiechicken]

My answer to any "Either/Or" questions is always - try both yourself. That way you'll know what works best for you.

[Dynamite]

The only shallot I've grown from seeds is Zebrune, a banana shallot.
It's easy enuf to grow them, but a faff for the yield IMO because you only get one bulb per seed, whereas with sets you get a clump of bulbs per set.
Cheaper to buy a packet of seed, though

Thanks Thelma

[Bill Door]

ah! you are not going to like this but zebrune is an onion. It can grow quite big and isn't really suitable to pickle. I grew some last year and they were big (and I didn't do anything special to them) and the pickles didn't turn out as well as I expected or wanted them. I prefer sets and would suggest any that give a bulb shape rather than a long narrow shape. However, having said that I agree with Veggiechicken, do your own trial and see what works best for you.

best wishes
Bil

[veggiechicken]

This shallot business is confusing - although I'm getting there!

You can buy round shallots in a supermarket and plant them - they will multiply.
BUT plant a Banana shallot and it won't even grow.
So long shallots/onions are grown from seed and round ones from sets.

You may be able to buy horticultural long shallots to plant however. I haven't looked into this as I just keep a few round ones back to replant each year.

[Bill Door]

That is correct Veggiechicken. There are "long" shallots that "multiply" but purely from a "bottling" perspective I think the round shallots are best. Of course you can pickle small round onions but they can be a bit sharper and a stronger "smell".

The "banana" shallot is an onion that has been bred to have the taste/flavour of the shallot family but it does not multiply. it produces a seed head just like onions. Bit like a GM product really.

Anywya enjoy your garden

Bill

[Thelma Sanders]

To make it even more confusing Jermor and Longor are multiplying shallots but are described as banana shallots.
So not all banana shallots are onions, either.

[Dynamite]

I’m thinking......bite the bullet and try seeds. I will be a bit miffed if they don’t work though.

Decisions decisions!

Rob

[Bill Door]

Interesting article in the Guardian by James Wong

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...thank-shallots

Bill

[Dynamite]

Interesting article in the Guardian by James Wong

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...thank-shallots

Bill

Thanks Bill

[ZsaZsa]

Interesting thread. I too have been contemplating growing shallots from seed. I'll attempt growing them in a clump, sowing 4-5 seeds per cell and plating them out like that. The inspiration comes from a well known No Dig enthusiast, who does this with his onions...

[Mark_Riga]

Yes, if you plant seed, sow quite thickly and they might not be able to get too big. I might give it a try.