I planted some onion seeds on feb 4th. They are now about 3 inches tall....or they would be if they stood upright. Are they supposed to be flopped over? I haven't been watering with beer! Should I start over?

-- Sue (sulandherb@aol.com), February 18, 2002

Answers

Do they feel like they have some life to them or are they dead looking? I mean.....kinda limp? I started mine about the same time and mine are all standing up except for one. Do yours really have to strain to get to the light? Maybe it is the type. I planted bulb onions from seeds. If yours are the green ones, maybe they are different at first. I haven't planted those type that stay small and don't make a bulb.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 18, 2002.

Hello Sue, I've often tried onion seed and usually have good luck but it really depends on the variety. We're in the South and the long day variety just goes right to making seed even if you buy plants. Last year, the garden was invaded by 4 different turtles. They ran up and down the fence line and wiped out every baby onion I put out. I just got my order for onion plants in and my garden spot isn't ready yet. Remember that onions are heavy feeders and really like to have the nutrients down under the plants where the roots will be growing. Try to limit the organic matter at the surface level since it does them little good and will promote diseases. They can stand up to some freeze but not a lot without damage. Good luck!! Nita Holstine

-- Nita Holstine (nita@phancypages.com), February 18, 2002.

Sue, onions do well if you trim them back so they don't get lanky and fall. Just take a pair of scissors and trim the babies like a little hedge. This forces new growth and makes a stronger little plant. You don't think of onions needing this kind of treatment because once in the garden nothing is done to them, but you DO need a stocky plant to start out with. Hope this helps.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), February 18, 2002.

Are they shiveled or pinched looking at the soil line? If so then it is damping off disease, and you need to start over with clean/sterilized soil, if they are just growing bent they should straiten out ok, cutting them back is good, just about 1/3 to 1/2 of the green part, and make sure they are getting some direct sunlight. It makes them more stocky, even though they will grow toward it, just rotate the plants as needed to straiten them out again.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), February 18, 2002.

Thanks once again guys. I'm gonna try snipping. They look alive and have those "full spectrum" lights shining on them 12 hours a day....sown in "soilless" mix, so it shouldn't be damping off. I've always grown onions from sets, so this is a first for me. THANKS!

-- Sue (sulandherb@aol.com), February 18, 2002.

Just for the info, damping off can happen in soil less mixes too, all it takes is cross contamination, something like pet the dog, touch the tip of the watering spout or untie your shoe touch the planting soil or pot, it can be prevented by bottom watering allowing the surface of the soil to remain dry, or (my favorite) placeing a fan to blow on the seedlings, this makes for strong stems and keeps the surface dry.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), February 18, 2002.