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Post by andy on Feb 13, 2011 8:44:41 GMT
So i now have a seed tray looking like a patch of lawn after every one of the 3 billion onion "aisla craig" germinated  So now what ? I presume they should now be pricked out individually into large plugs or small pots  Help !!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by isabella on Feb 13, 2011 9:13:14 GMT
Andy - when the seedlings are at the 'crook' stage prick them out into small pots - well done you for getting good germination  I think that is right  |
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Post by andy on Feb 13, 2011 9:18:35 GMT
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Post by davidk on Feb 13, 2011 9:45:19 GMT
Andy - when the seedlings are at the 'crook' stage prick them out into small pots - well done you for getting good germination I think that is right That's no problem Pam...if only i knew what "crook" was   Hi, Andy The ‘crook stage’ is when they look just like a little loop above the compost. Myself I think growing them in trays (then having to transplant) involves unnecessary work. Also the stems are very delicate at this early stage and if they are damaged they will rot off. I tend to prefer one of these two options: Direct Sowing Sowed as thinly as possible in rows about 9" apart, just under the surface. The onions should be thinned out to the final spacing when they are 4" high. As with carrots, this thinning process releases the scent of the onions and like a guided missile, the onion fly's scent based radar would guide it to the crop. The final spacing will depend on how large an onion you want to grow. Spacing at as little as 2" apart will result in small pickling size bulbs whereas 6" apart allows room for a very decent size of onion. Starting in Modules My preferred system for seed grown onions is to sow into 15 per tray modules. The benefits here are that you are immune to bad weather and don't need to thin out. Starting in late February/early March sow a couple of seeds per module into a multi-purpose compost and thin to one seedling as soon as possible if both germinate. They don't need to be too warm, between 10 and 15 degrees is fine. Once germinated, do not let the temperature rise above 15 degrees or the onions will get confused about what time of year it is and bolt later after they're planted out. Move out of the greenhouse into a cold frame and harden off before planting out, spaced as for the sets. |
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Post by isabella on Feb 13, 2011 13:49:29 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 13, 2011 13:52:47 GMT
I'm glad we got that sorted because "crook" in my neck of the woods means ill ;D
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Post by isabella on Feb 13, 2011 13:54:00 GMT
;D
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Post by andy on Feb 13, 2011 14:02:33 GMT
Ahh, thanks David....think im at the "fully grown lawn" stage at the moment |
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Post by davidk on Feb 13, 2011 15:15:17 GMT
Andy - On reflection my previous message wasn't really very helpful for the job in hand.
Perhaps best to do as Pam suggests, and keep in mind what I said for future reference.
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Post by Barbara on Feb 14, 2011 8:24:33 GMT
Or spend a quid, and buy another packet and start again. ;D
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Post by Barbara on Feb 14, 2011 9:00:56 GMT
my question, do you sow spring onions seperately David. ?
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Post by davidk on Feb 15, 2011 11:32:51 GMT
Okay it's a bit blurred on account of trying to get too close (it is tiny after all) but this is the 'crook' stage:  |
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Post by MamIDdau on Feb 15, 2011 20:04:08 GMT
When it looks like a Shepherd's Crook? ;D
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Post by farmersboy on Feb 16, 2011 21:18:10 GMT
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Post by Dutchy on Feb 17, 2011 9:57:30 GMT
my question, do you sow spring onions seperately David. ? Just bringing it to the front David as otherwise the question might get lost. ( I sow my spring onions in a row semi thinly and by thinning out later get nice fresh onion green to eat. Providing some bug does not beat me to it  ) |
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Post by davidk on Feb 17, 2011 10:04:26 GMT
my question, do you sow spring onions seperately David. ? Just bringing it to the front David as otherwise the question might get lost. ( I sow my spring onions in a row semi thinly and by thinning out later get nice fresh onion green to eat. Providing some bug does not beat me to it ) Good thinkin, Duchy....I had missed the question! Sorry, Barbara. I do just the same as Duchy suggests. |
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Post by Barbara on Feb 17, 2011 11:23:53 GMT
Straight outside then...?
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