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Trimming onion tops for larger bulbs?

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  • #1

    Trimming onion tops for larger bulbs?

    I was reading up about growing onions from seed on several sites/forums, and a couple of American based ones suggested trimming the tops of the seedlings to 3 inches in order to promote the formation of stronger roots and new leaves, thus giving larger bulbs.
    This was the first mention I found, onion seedlings: trimming height and transplanting Qs - Growing from Seed Forum - GardenWeb

    This one seems to suggest just to trim at planting out time. http://www.groworganic.com/library_112.html

    It seems to be just for seedling, not sets, and only before the final planting out, after which you let them be.

    I have never heard of this before for onions, has anyone tried it, does it work?
    I was wondering whether to try trimming some and leaving some to find out if it makes a difference. (Once I have the seeds in and up )
    Last edited by BarleySugar; 30-12-2008, 11:19 AM.
    I could not live without a garden, it is my place to unwind and recover, to marvel at the power of all growing things, even weeds!
    Now a little Shrinking Violet.

    http://potagerplot.blogspot.com/
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  • #2
    I haven't heard of this either. I'd try your experiment of trimming some and comparing results. I think that trimming on planting out is done to reduce transpiration (water loss) before the roots have established.

    I am not bothered too much about bulb size though, it is the taste that is important.
    Mark

    Vegetable Kingdom blog

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    • #3
      Ive got a critter on my plot doing that for me.

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      • #4
        I've heard of trimming leeks leaves and roots before planting out but never onions? Leeks can be trimmed to prevent wind rock and transpiration. the roots are usually trimmed to make it easier to fit them in the dibbered holes and to encourage new roots. Unlike the leek, the onion leaf is hollow so I can't see any advantage to be had and leaving the leaf susceptable to fungal attack doesn't sound a good idea?

        Haven't read link yet so maybe there is a logic to it somewhere!
        Last edited by Snadger; 30-12-2008, 05:56 PM.
        My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
        to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

        Diversify & prosper


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        • #5
          Ok.........I've now had a look at both links and they appear to be forums from across the pond? A different climate in the US of A can mean you can get away with doing things not really appropriate to Blighty!

          Might be wrong here, but if you've got higher temps which promote faster growth you won't be stressing plants as much as you would here in cold, and damp slow growing UK?
          My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
          to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

          Diversify & prosper


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          • #6
            I feel a little experiment coming on...

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            • #7
              Game on. Sounds like an interesting trial. I'll plant some onion seeds soon and trim half of them whenever the growth gets above 3" and see if it does produce bigger onions/die of the plague.

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              • #8
                I've never heard of this before but I'll try it on a few

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                • #9
                  the

                  there is simple reason you never heard of it.
                  it does not work.
                  the secret to bigger onions is to have bigger plants before day length triggers
                  bulb formation.
                  Source horticulture.

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                  • #10
                    True, larger plants will give bigger bulbs, this was just one suggestion found as to how to get them.
                    Have you tried it, or is this your opinion? I don't mind which, but as some of the references I found seemed quite enthusiatic, and said it did trigger more leaf growth and stronger roots, I was hoping for some first hand knowledge or experience. Even people with onion tops removed by pests might have observed a second flush of strong growth, or the demise of the plant.
                    I could not live without a garden, it is my place to unwind and recover, to marvel at the power of all growing things, even weeds!
                    Now a little Shrinking Violet.

                    http://potagerplot.blogspot.com/

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