Bolting onion sts.

[snooky]

Yes,Richard,the green leaf above ground are the "haulms".

[Primrose]

I've only grown shallots for a couple of seasons . Was put off because they ended up so small and it was such a fiddle peeling their outer skin off that I lost patience so could you experts please tell me

1 what variety to grow to get really big shallots ?(the ones that are the size of medium size onions)?
2. What's the quickest way to remove the dried skin when they're really small.?

[Geoff]

To get cooking shallots rather than for pickling if you follow the old thread about growing shallots from seed viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7993&hilit=shallots+from+seed and use the variety Zebrune you can get something like this.

[Elaine]

Hello Robo. Glad I could help...that makes a change as it's usually me wanting answers.

As for the onions which have produced the flower head, as soon as they are big enough to use, I would take them up and do just that. We have found that once the flower shoot goes up, the onion bulb seems to go softish rather quickly, even if you have removed the flower bud. They won't store either, I'm afraid.

[Elaine]

Thanks Monika....I was thinking along the right lines then, regarding bolting onions wanting to get their seeds sorted out!

I had forgotten they are biennial.

[Ricard with an H]

Geoff.
That is a display to be proud of, if I grow shallots those will be the type I need to grow.

[snooky]

Richard,
When and if you go to Newport call in at the Real Seed Company,Units 1 , 2 & 4, The Old School, Lower St Mary St, Newport.They sell Zebrune Shallot seeds[probably too late to sow this year]and will give you good advice on growing them.

[Ricard with an H]

I have often wanted to pop in for a look-see though I wasn't sure if visitors are welcome without warning.

Newport is 30 minutes drive, nice beach, good pubs, a cracking restaurant and the Real Seed Company.

Have you been ?

[robo]

Elaine, this is a good forum i bet a few people pick up on pointers with out saying so , that what makes it worth while

[snooky]

No,Richard,never been there,a mate has a caravan down that way had an offer of it's use but it isn't wheelchair accessible.