[ian]

Hi there, I have planted white, red onion and shallotts all have thick heavy green growth and today i noticed seed pods on both onion varieties I decided to fold down the green foliage to bulk up the bulbs Question is, have i waited too long to do this are there earlier signs to look for one example was taken up and resembled a stubby leek. and seconly should i do same with shallot foliage now, their bulbs are not as large
regards,
Ian.

[Belfast]

How to Grow Onions in Irelands Vegetable Gardens
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about481.html

[michael brenock]

it is not unusual to get one or more of the developing bulbs of shallots bolting or going to seed. The weather and growing conditions could have played a part in this development together with the temperature at which the shallots were stored prior to planting. Much the same applies to sets but you cannot reverse the process.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[ian]

yes i think they have bolted , the foliage is unusually thick and the bulbs more like leeks in appearance, i don't know if they are waste of time now or may bulk out, i'll leave them in the ground with leaves bent over to see if they fatten up
thanks,Ian.

[verge]

The usual thing to do when you see a flower head appear on your onion bulbs at that stage is to snip it off. It may slow things down a bit and give you a bigger bulb. These types then have to be eaten after lifting as they do not store well.