Shallot from Seed or Sets?...

**Thelma Sanders** · 10-12-2017, 09:31 AM

The only shallot I've grown from seeds is Zebrune, a banana shallot.
It's easy enuf to grow them, but a faff for the yield IMO because you only get one bulb per seed, whereas with sets you get a clump of bulbs per set.
Cheaper to buy a packet of seed, though

**veggiechicken** · 10-12-2017, 09:35 AM

My answer to any "Either/Or" questions is always - try both yourself. That way you'll know what works best for you.

**Dynamite** · 10-12-2017, 11:54 PM

Originally posted by Thelma Sanders View Post

The only shallot I've grown from seeds is Zebrune, a banana shallot.
It's easy enuf to grow them, but a faff for the yield IMO because you only get one bulb per seed, whereas with sets you get a clump of bulbs per set.
Cheaper to buy a packet of seed, though

Thanks Thelma

**Bill Door** · 11-12-2017, 05:53 PM

ah! you are not going to like this but zebrune is an onion. It can grow quite big and isn't really suitable to pickle. I grew some last year and they were big (and I didn't do anything special to them) and the pickles didn't turn out as well as I expected or wanted them. I prefer sets and would suggest any that give a bulb shape rather than a long narrow shape. However, having said that I agree with Veggiechicken, do your own trial and see what works best for you.

best wishes
Bil

**veggiechicken** · 11-12-2017, 06:05 PM

This shallot business is confusing - although I'm getting there!

You can buy round shallots in a supermarket and plant them - they will multiply.
BUT plant a Banana shallot and it won't even grow.
So long shallots/onions are grown from seed and round ones from sets.

You may be able to buy horticultural long shallots to plant however. I haven't looked into this as I just keep a few round ones back to replant each year.

**Bill Door** · 12-12-2017, 09:30 AM

That is correct Veggiechicken. There are "long" shallots that "multiply" but purely from a "bottling" perspective I think the round shallots are best. Of course you can pickle small round onions but they can be a bit sharper and a stronger "smell".

The "banana" shallot is an onion that has been bred to have the taste/flavour of the shallot family but it does not multiply. it produces a seed head just like onions. Bit like a GM product really.

Anywya enjoy your garden

Bill

**Thelma Sanders** · 12-12-2017, 12:47 PM

To make it even more confusing Jermor and Longor are multiplying shallots but are described as banana shallots.
So not all banana shallots are onions, either.

**Dynamite** · 16-12-2017, 12:23 AM

I’m thinking......bite the bullet and try seeds. I will be a bit miffed if they don’t work though.

Decisions decisions!

Rob

**Bill Door** · 17-12-2017, 12:35 PM

Interesting article in the Guardian by James Wong

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...thank-shallots

Bill

**Dynamite** · 18-12-2017, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by Bill Door View Post

Interesting article in the Guardian by James Wong

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...thank-shallots

Bill

Thanks Bill

**ZsaZsa** · 26-12-2017, 11:00 AM

Interesting thread. I too have been contemplating growing shallots from seed. I'll attempt growing them in a clump, sowing 4-5 seeds per cell and plating them out like that. The inspiration comes from a well known No Dig enthusiast, who does this with his onions...

**Mark_Riga** · 26-12-2017, 09:41 PM

Yes, if you plant seed, sow quite thickly and they might not be able to get too big. I might give it a try.

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