Confusing Instructions

AlittleSalt · May 18, 2016

Even though I have many flowering onions, I bought some Granex Hybrid seeds while at TSC the other day. I know they are a short day onion which means I need to start the seeds in a flat in October to plant out as transplants in January.

January and February are when onion sets/transplants are sold in this area of Texas. Planting later than February isn't advised. Onions here need some cold temps too.

The second picture is the confusing part. I'm in the orange zone in the third picture. "Sow in average soil in full sun after danger of frost in spring?"

rnewste · May 18, 2016

Robert,

Excellent question!!

I also bought some Vidalia Onion seeds last week (Yellow Granex Hybrid 33) with confusing planting instructions.

I found a Vidalia Onion Growers website which may be of help to you:

http://www.vidaliaonion.org/farming/...vidalia_onions

Basically, in Georgia growers there start their seeds in September, with transplant out in November - January. The key is to amend your soil to have as low a Sulfur content as possible to get a similar taste. Here is another link of interest:

http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/vidaliaonion.htm

I've started 32 seeds last week just to observe seedling habits, then will be starting seedlings in September for real. Hope to then transplant out in December.

As you are in a similar latitude to Vidalia Georgia, you may want to follow their dates.

Raybo

AlittleSalt · May 18, 2016

Raybo, that is very interesting reading. I need to have a soil test done anyway, so I'll send in a sample from our onion bed as well. Our onions don't have the strong taste, but they are not sweet either.

rnewste · May 18, 2016

What I conclude is to only apply a Sulfer-free fertilizer, if you want a sweet(er) onion.

Raybo

Cole_Robbie · May 18, 2016

If anyone can get onions by direct-sowing seeds in their garden, I'm impressed. I've never seen it happen. I've started them in trays in the greenhouse, and even that was a pain. When I first got my greenhouse, everyone I knew wanted me to start every plant they grew. After a few years, I learned to tell them to just go buy the things I wasn't good at growing...which is a very long list, and does include onions.

rnewste · May 18, 2016

Cole,

I put them in a Burpee SWC starting tray:

Will see how the seedlings develop over the next 2 months.

Raybo

AlittleSalt · May 18, 2016

I grew ours in the seed tray itself without the cells. I enjoyed growing them during our off season months. I grew them in our house with fluorescent lights.

So far, the internet keeps showing me fertilizers with added sulfur.

The garden PH level is 6.7 and I've read to use 15.5-0-0 fertilizer until they start bulbing.

Tracydr · May 18, 2016

We have the best early Vidalias here in the farmers markets. I may try growing them but it almost doesn't seem worth it since I can buy the best onions I've ever tasted.
This summer,I need to can,dry and freeze some for next winter. They are so delicious!

May 18, 2016	#2
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Robert, Excellent question!! I also bought some Vidalia Onion seeds last week (Yellow Granex Hybrid 33) with confusing planting instructions. I found a Vidalia Onion Growers website which may be of help to you: http://www.vidaliaonion.org/farming/...vidalia_onions Basically, in Georgia growers there start their seeds in September, with transplant out in November - January. The key is to amend your soil to have as low a Sulfur content as possible to get a similar taste. Here is another link of interest: http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/vidaliaonion.htm I've started 32 seeds last week just to observe seedling habits, then will be starting seedlings in September for real. Hope to then transplant out in December. As you are in a similar latitude to Vidalia Georgia, you may want to follow their dates. Raybo Last edited by rnewste; May 18, 2016 at 08:05 PM.

May 18, 2016	#7
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I grew ours in the seed tray itself without the cells. I enjoyed growing them during our off season months. I grew them in our house with fluorescent lights. So far, the internet keeps showing me fertilizers with added sulfur. The garden PH level is 6.7 and I've read to use 15.5-0-0 fertilizer until they start bulbing. Last edited by AlittleSalt; May 18, 2016 at 09:08 PM.

May 18, 2016	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	If anyone can get onions by direct-sowing seeds in their garden, I'm impressed. I've never seen it happen. I've started them in trays in the greenhouse, and even that was a pain. When I first got my greenhouse, everyone I knew wanted me to start every plant they grew. After a few years, I learned to tell them to just go buy the things I wasn't good at growing...which is a very long list, and does include onions.

May 18, 2016	#8
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	We have the best early Vidalias here in the farmers markets. I may try growing them but it almost doesn't seem worth it since I can buy the best onions I've ever tasted. This summer,I need to can,dry and freeze some for next winter. They are so delicious!