How to collect onion/shallot seed?

[Colin_M]

Last year, a few of you grew Banana shallots and collected the seeds. I am trying to do the same this summer and would like some advice.

The flowers on mine seem to have been there for many weeks, with very little visible progress. Of course it's been very wet & not warm.

I have some brown paper bags ready - what are the best steps from here on?


Colin

[Johnboy]

Hi Colin,
Collecting seeds I use a muslin bag tied round the head then cut the stalk about 9" below the head and hang up to dry. By using Muslin you can thresh them very easily. I made the bags but you could just fashion a square over the flower and tie it just the same, as it starts to go over. I suspect this year there has been insufficient sunshine for the bees and therefore a lack of fertilised flowers to seed.
I have quite a few left over and I am happy to say that none that I have finished up with have grown this year have even put a head up but I am sure I have enough in stock for the both of us.
Piglet was exceedingly generous when he sent them to me. If the seeds do not materialise simply send me a PM and they will be yours oh master!
JB.

[strawberry tart]

Hi Colin, I agree with Johnboy re muslin as opposed to brown paper bags which can be eaten quite badly by slugs. I know this by experience. I dont normally save shallot seed but always save onion seed, the time from initial flowering to fully ripe seed is a good 6 weeks the swollen seed pods should be papery dry and will have turned from green to straw colour.
S.T.
p.s. this is in a greenhouse where I pot up my selected bulbs and hopefully keep them free from any cross pollination.