Here we go Bits and Bobs - 2016.

[robo]

I've had some real good onions over the last few years but they all rot when stored even after drying them out thoroughly

[dan3008]

I ALWAYS have that problem robo
This year I'm looking at investing in a mini root cellar to see if that improves storage of onions and things... If it does, ill have to invest in a bigger one for my squash, and apples

[PLUMPUDDING]

I store mine in a dry place that gets sun, but cool in winter. I've just brought the last six onions in this week and thrown out the ones that had started sprouting.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Are you watching Chelsea? There are some lovely colour combinations and the usual health and safety nightmares with steps up and down in odd places and paths going over water with no edge or rail. I'm waiting to see a presenter in high heels and a daft frock fall in.

[Monika]

Apropos keeping onions: I find that shallots keep longer than onions, in fact, I am still using last year's shallots which are still firm and not sprouting. They are kept in a dry but unheated garage all winter. When it gets really, really cold, I cover them with some layers of newspaper.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Yes Monika, I've still got plenty of shallots. I tend to start on them when the onions have finished, but the onions have lasted longer than usual this year.

[Primrose]

I,ve been watching Chelsea but get a little frustrated at some of the esoteric theories behind some of the garden designs. These days it seems more about showcasing garden designers than plants. I do think that Chelsea is not necessarily a good place to encourage newbie gardens though. They see all these wonderful immaculate plants and expect the same result in their own back gardens. A few seasons wresting with bad weather, slugs, poor soil and gardening ignorance generally produces a good dose of reality! At least the decking phase thankfully seems to have done out of fashion!

[Westi]

Totally agree Primrose!

I do like looking at them generally but it is all about the features & furniture, which although nice it is overtaking the plants. I was late home the last couple of days - have they done that small front yard section again this year? That was not so OTT and was quite inspirational & achievable.

I've never been, put off by the crowds but perhaps one day when I am a celebrity or win the lottery I'd like to be invited to the 2nd day when the Queen strolls around.

Westi

[Geoff]

Japanese Onions as mentioned above.

IMG_3572_R.jpg (388.38 KiB) Viewed 3802 times

[Primrose]

they look as if some of the bulbs are starting to swell already.
How close together are they planted?

[Pa Snip]

Have to admit I am not enamoured with the onions.
Would be interested in any views on why the reds have developed as they have >>>>

Seems nobody has any more idea than I do as to why some of the red onions have developed siamese twin stems

[Pa Snip]

Have to admit I am not enamoured with the onions.
Odd happenings with some of them this year, the likes of which I have not seen before.

These were sets planted out last October, If you look closely you will see that many of the reds (Electric) have developed two stems, something like twins.

Would be interested in any views on why the reds have developed as they have

Seems nobody has any more idea than I do as to why some of the red onions have developed siamese twin stems

[Primrose]

Maybe as you suggest, it,s something genetic in a few plants where a cell splits, like in humans, and you get twins. Some things in nature are just difficult to explain, especially they were all planted at the same time nder the same condition. Have the spit onion bulbs worked themselves partly out of the soil at all making the roots have to work harder to get nourishment and water?

[Pa Snip]

Hi Primrose

Thanks for the reply, yes they have behaved perfectly normally in every other respect.

There is more to the story.

These 'Electric' onions were purchased at a nursery where you buy them loose, so you can select every set bulb yourself from 1 to infinity.
My colleague two plots away came with me and also purchased the same variety, planted in different soil, not in raised beds like mine, he has had the same thing happen.


"Ahaa" I hear you cry, "A genetic fault just as I thought", well I would agree if it wasn't for the fact that another plot holder, just 4 plots away from me and 2 plots away from my colleague has had exactly the same thing happen to him.
His red onions did not come from the same source but some of his have also split in this way.

My intention is to lift a couple and ask the nursery where we got them what their thoughts are when I next go there.
Just thought I would solicit any ideas from here as well.

[robo]

Mine have split the same way not all of them but around a third, I planted them late October I had just come out of hospital it was the first thing I did , I can't remember where I bought them I was in a bit of a daze at the time but it was local