Onion Growth.

[Stringfellow]

Hi Charles, I have just re-read your April post from last year (always thinking ahead!) and noticed the difference in growth between Stuttgarter sown in finger versus pencil holes, the latter being larger seedlings. I wondered two things; first, do you have any ideas on why this difference in early growth and secondly, did this make any real difference come harvest time?

I had success with Santero Improved last season so I am growing them in quantity this year; they are all through now and they’re a pleasure to see each day.

[charles]

Hi Tris.
Interesting ploy! And good for me because I am reminded to check the seed packet of Santero I sowed four weeks ago, whose germination is poor, about 25%. While trays sown with other onion and shallot seeds have come up fine.
The Santero seed is from Kings and is labelled “packeted y/e sep 15”. I had not noticed!
While some radish seed I bought at the same time is labelled “packeted y/e Jan 17.
So I am about to correspond with EW King. Is anyone else noticing similar?
Re pressing or making a hole with pencil, I wonder what was going on. This year to be safe I made holes with a small pencil.
Yes there were less onions at harvest time, a result of the poor germination!

[Stringfellow]

Thanks for getting back to me on this and what a bummer about the lack of germination of your Santero. My Santero Improved are from Dobies and are fresher than that from EW King, so I am fortunate. Funny, because I remember us both having trouble with Sturon from Stormy Hall a couple of seasons back! I’m guessing the onion seed that has germinated well includes that which you have saved yourself?

Sorry, what I meant re. onion harvest was did the larger seedlings (from pencil holes) result in larger onions come August? From what I remember your harvest looked superb!

[charles]

Well done Dobies.
My harvests was compromised by mildew last year but they all grew similarly in the end.
Yes my own seed germinated well thanks, a little uneven, onions are not easy to take seed from as I discovered.

[Stringfellow]

Thanks. Hope the home saved seed results in strong healthy plants and, ultimately,
tasty harvests.

[Author]

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