Onion troubler

[anthonyjb]

What is the cause of a lot of my red onions with a rigid stem going right thro the onion

Thanks ANthonyjb

[roitelet]

They have bolted ie gone to seed. Use them first as they won't keep.

[Bigmallly]

It's quite common with reds Anthony...............well it is for me. I keep saying I'm not gonna grow them again, then cos of my age, I forget..............

[Aberdeenplotter]

red onions, particularly those grown from sets, are particularly prone to bolting. I now grow my reds from seed as these aren't so likely to bolt. Alternatively try using heat treated sets. These are exposed to heat for a while which results in the internal flower embryo being "disabled". You may still get a few bolting but not nearly so many. Better luck next time

[Potstubsdustbins]

^^^^^^^^^As AP says heated sets give you a better chance with reds only two of mine have bolted so far. The seed head was removed and the rest put on cheese sandwich's and used in spagbol

[Snadger]

I've found that Autumn planted red onion sets aren't so prone to bolting? At least its worked for me over the last two winters. Spring planted red onion sets...............forget it!