Onion neck rot

[June]

My stored onions are a disaster! I think they have neck rot rather than white rot (I hope). I can only assume it is due to the very wet conditions at harvest time. Will it be safe to sow onion sets on my plot next year and is there anything I can do to prevent/alleviate the problem next year? Incidentally, the sets I ordered had a fair number of each variety that seemed a bit soft, almost bordering on mouldy when they arrived. I discarded all these and just planted the sound ones. Could the quality of the sets have contributed to my problems? The previous year seemed as wet as this one around here yet the onions I harvested then were problem free and kept well into spring. This year, encouraged by my first time onion growing success, I grew twice the quantity and they have been hopeless, every variety. Any advice gratefully accepted.
Thanks, June

[Johnboy]

Hi June,
Due to the inclement weather this year, which has been actually worse than 2007, the onions have not been able to complete their ripening process.
Unless this process is successful the onion will not store properly. I feel that there will be an awful lot of people in the same predicament as you find yourself in. It is not your fault and do not be deterred from growing onions again next year.
(A prayer is rendered up for a better 2009 at this point)
JB.

[snooky]

I have the same problem with my onions in store,as have other lads on our allotment site.I"ve found that it is mainly in the larger onions so,yes,it may well be a ripening problem as Johnboy states.

[June]

Thanks for the replies. Having sown 600 sets and hoping to have enough onions well until next year, it has been disheartening that probably 95% have been not fit to eat. I'm now having to buy onions which disgruntles me a bit but I'll try again next year. I'm also praying for a better season next year as having only had the allotment three years, this year and last have sure been testing ones!!
Thanks again, June