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Posted by glenavon67 (U14868065) on Friday, 20th May 2011
While making room for some new crops last night I pulled a couple of rows of what I thought were spring onions. They are quite tall 1 1/2 feet tall and have flower buds on them. They very much resemble spring onions but on the larger side of any you find in the shops. However I did all of this when the light was fading last night and this morning when I checked the celery that is now in their place I noticed the tag I left behind 'White Onion' is what I had written! These plants were originally grown from seed sown last spring and not having had much luck with onions in the past aren't sure whether I should have left them. I just assumed that as they had flowers coming I shouldn't let them bloom. I also have leeks that are about to bloom into flower, should I let them, are they now too mature and 'spoiled'? Any advice gratefully received.
The leeks are goners if they are flowering. The flowering stalk runs up the middle of the leek and is hard and inedible.
Were the White Lisbon last year's? Sounds as though they have gone too far too. Those things should be used up in their first year.
White onions were sown last year from seed.
Whether they're leeks, spring onions or ordinary bulbing onions you should get them up as soon as you can, because whatever they are they'll flower this year and become inedible. Depending on what they are, they might be usable in the kitchen if you get them up now but there's no point in leaving them
Thank you very much. You live and learn.
and keep plenty in, till the seeds are ripe, for growing from seed.
It is the best way to grow onions.
And tulips too!
Darn it! I've already pulled the onions but I shall leave the leeks to 'go to seed'
Ooops, sorry Glenavon - that's probably my fault that you pulled all your onions! I don't save seed myself as it takes up such a lot of room in the garden, but certainly it's something you could try
However I wouldn't try saving seeds from F1 varieties as you won't get good results. The old open-pollinated varieties should be fine, though
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