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Post by robh on Sept 30, 2015 10:53:51 GMT
does anyone know where i can get exibition onions from im wanting to grow some for my local show if so do i by seed or plants and when do i buy them
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Post by roofgardener on Sept 30, 2015 11:20:32 GMT
Hi there robh, What type of onions are you after ? There are often different 'classes' in these show competitions. Some for small (less than 3lb) onions, some for giant (3lb or more), and lots of others. Do you have a pamphlet (or a website ? ) from this years show, which might give some clues ? For the giant onions, you might look at the Robinson's Seeds website .. Mammoth Onions I gather that Ailson Craig is a traditional competition onion ? I've bought mine from the ever-popular Thompson and Morgan website. The next decision is whether to grow from seed (fiddly, but satisfying), or to get onion "sets" ... half-grown onions... and grow those instead. They are easier, but more expensive. (Robinsons do both). If you have a greenhouse, you could start growing giant onion seeds right now ! Usually, however, they are planted in.. what... December ? March ? Depends on the type. (the websites are helpful with this, and give basic instructions. ) Bear in mind that I'm not an expert... I've just started growing onions this year. (well... I SAY growing... more like planning at the moment). You might want to look at my Onion Whisperer blog, which has SOME information in it, in a rather rambling way. |
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Post by markb on Sept 30, 2015 11:37:29 GMT
Hi Robh.
Large exhibition onion variety 'Kelsae' is unavailable from most seed companies due to a crop failure in Italy. Alternatives therefore would be 'Mammoth Improved' from Robinsons or Medwyns of Anglesey who should have his own reselected Kelsae available. Both of these are available as seeds or plants and my own preference would be plants if you are not growing many. You may also see plants advertised in Garden News from time to time, usually sold by top exhibitors from their own reselected stock.
If you decide to grow from seed then Unwins own 'Exhibition' strain of onion is supposedly good for a weight of seven pounds and may be easier to get hold of.
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Post by roofgardener on Sept 30, 2015 13:42:42 GMT
No Kelsae's ?  We'd better start stockpiling tinned food. There could be civil unrest, if not outright insurrection, come the Show Season. |
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Post by scrumpy on Oct 1, 2015 11:50:21 GMT
There are quite a few people who supply re selected top quality onion plants, from stock that has won at all major shows.
If you are serious about growing them, they come at £20 for a dozen.
Medwyns would be well down my list of suppliers, as would Robinsons.
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Post by robh on Oct 19, 2015 18:27:28 GMT
dt brown have them advertised in there catalouge but arnt doing them this year am going to try a local grower i know if he has.nt got any i can get some seed from the garden centre they still have packets at 4 quid i will just set them away when i set my tubers away in january
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Post by roofgardener on Oct 19, 2015 18:42:59 GMT
If you go to D T Brown's website, they have an apology message; "non available this year". As do T+M. and a whole bunch of other major suppliers. I finally managed to get mine from an obscure East-European/Balkans private supplier. The were expensive... but I got a free sam-7 anti-aircraft missile launcher thrown in. So... thats next year's blackfly problem sorted out  |
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Post by daitheplant on Oct 19, 2015 19:22:50 GMT
At the allotment this morning I did a little more to the new doorframe.
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Post by robh on Oct 20, 2015 14:19:40 GMT
my local gardencentre has some packets of kelsae seed 4 quid a packet will have to invest in them me thinks
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Post by markb on Oct 20, 2015 15:42:10 GMT
my local gardencentre has some packets of kelsae seed 4 quid a packet will have to invest in them me thinks I would be wary buying those Rob. As the seed is unavailable this season, these would have to be old stock from last year, and old Kelsae seed is not always good for germination. |
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Post by sweetpea on Oct 21, 2015 14:26:27 GMT
robh check out Keith Foster's Exibition Seeds. he is specialist for exhibition stuff. just search 'Exhibition seeds' and you will get his website. Another source is Shelley seeds. But I can't find one of his catalogues. James Shelley is the guy and no postage either.
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