Onions.

[zabado]

( brown onion sets )They're growing well and are green, healthy, strong and pest free, but the onions wont grow upright. They lean over and grow across the soil. So what's wrong ? thanks.

[Old_Geezer]

You need someone who knows their onions !
They aren't inebriated are they ? Sober them up.

At a pure guess, they aren't overwatered are they ? Just trying to think of something that would remove their stiffness. Probably barking up the wrong tree.

[Old_Geezer]

Why not tie them to a stake ?

[ladybirder]

I was going to say they are possibly reaching for the sun but if they are lying really flat then maybe not. Arching maybe so?

[ladybirder]

Yep steak and onions sounds a good idea;-)

[zabado]

That's the problem Old-Geezer they shouldn't need tying to a stake, besides I've got about 150 of them.

[Togo]

Have yo lifted a couple of the onions to check whether you have onion fly? I would look under the soil firstly and check whether the onions are dring or whether there is evidence of onion fly( you will have maggots on the base of the bulb) or whether there is a fungus on the bulb. If there is a fungus it could be Onion White Rot and means that you will likely lose the lot as it is a soil borne infection.

[Togo]

Dring = Dying. Yo = You.

[puzzled54]

Are they autumn sown sets?

[Togo]

Might be worth having a read through this Zab. I try not to paste and copy in gardening and the like but there are a number of things that can go wrong......this is gardening for you. Have you put onions in this patch before?

https://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/onions-growing/onion-pests-diseases-problems/

[zabado]

Thanks for your knowledge & answers guys.

[Togo]

Ta Zab....hope it is something you can sort out. Bleedin hard slog gardening at times.
P.S My Onions are looking good ....but the cold spell, after hot and dry, is playing havoc with the Peas and Broad Beans. Give me strength.

[puzzled54]

Because I lifted my autumn sown onions today, they had had flopped over but were a good size. If they are summer onions perhaps they are suffering with the dry weather.

[alavahalf]

Did they get hammered by the wind a couple of weeks ago ? That would knock them over and onto the soil. If they are still green just leave them. I doubt you fancy tying them up to supports. If the leaves had changed colour, then that would suggest they were finished growing .. but it is a bit early to have finished yet, there should be at least another 6 weeks of growing left in them. Onions dont need a lot of water, but with the weather we have had I wouldn't be surprised if they they weren't truely stressed.
Mine were sets, planted late Autumn.. they were going really well and looking like they were going to be the best onions ever. Then we had a couple of frosts about 3-4 weeks ago. The whole lot went to seed and formed long 2 ft plus rigid stems with a hollow core. All are still standing, but they have all gone woody down to the bulb .. a real shame as I had 300.

[Togo]

Strewth Alava, shame that. But it is a lesson to us that are perhaps not as keen as you, that it can all go pear shaped if the weather turns on you. The wind kills us here on the N. Wales coast. Cold and gusty out of the blue and gives me more heartache than rain or dry conditions. Doesn't stop us, every year, mind. I note that Zab says that the onions look as if they are growing well so it may just be the fluctuating conditions. Gardening...an exercise of hope over expectations.

[alavahalf]

For the past few weeks our soil has turned to dust due to the heat !
As a rule I do more than I need so as I have enough to store and take me right into next year .. I can also give some to friends and family. Last year I did the same amount and they all got Thrip .. had to ditch them !
We shall persevere and try again in the Autumn .. not to worry as there is plenty growing to keep us from starving !

[zabado]

The onions are healthy looking and have no sign of infestation or rot. In fact they look like large spring onions but the problem is they're long not tall. (said with a wry smile).

[alavahalf]

Perhaps they are of the lesser known 'Creeper' variety .. ;o)

[zabado]

Oh yer ,I never thought of that Al. So long as they don't start moving, you know like a triffid. haha

[Old_Geezer]

Or a banana plant.

[Chipchopper]

Alava knows his onions :-)