Onions failed

[kiwi]

Why have my red onions not done so well? I brought a punnet of seedlings, trimmed them up, planted out in my raised bed in spring. They started off OK for the first few weeks with some new growth. Now, 3 months later they have hardly grown further, the bulbs have not swollen up very much at all (less than a golf ball) and the older leaves have gone yellow. The only thing i can think of is maybe the soil dried out at some point, but then when I look at the commercial onion fields in the area the soil there is always very dry looking. My soil has a lot of fine bark in it from being blended with barky compost. It does drain well. The garden gets full sun, and the onions are well spaced. I have the same problem with my spring onions too.

[DavidT]

What have you fed them with Kiwi? I would suggest you sprinkle a small handful of Nitrate of Soda around each set, and water in. This will give them a kick start. Don`t get the Nitrate on the bulbs themselves, though.

[paul]

hi kiwi,

might well be the bark in the soil. it takes the nitrogen andnutrients out of the soil.

[kiwi]

Here is a photo

there were a few others that I planted in a plastic pot that have bulbed up real good. I just don't know why the ones in my raised bed didn't grow any bigger.

paul- The bark is similar to what you would find in a potting mix. Pretty well aged. I don't know about it tying up nitrogen, etc, enough to affect the crop. It is a commercial product made for gardening.

DavidT- Thanks for you reply. The soil is new "supersoil" commercial garden mix -like a potting mix on sale in larger volumes specifically for gardens, with added nutrients and compost. I'd like to think plenty of food in there for the onions.
Do you think it might be too late for saving them. They are 3month old transplanted seedlings now. I've sown carrots in between and given up on the onions really. I'd just like to know what I did wrong to avoid the same problem next year.

ADD: I do notice a lot of springtails or other tiny insects zooming around on the soil surface... might not be relevant? dunno.

Thanks for your replies -Kiwi

[DavidT]

No matter what the compost, the nutrients don`t last that long, give them a belt of Nitrate of Soda. The brown bits are just scorching, not a problem.

[kiwi]

I have plenty of worm tea, bokashi juice and seaweed tea. would any of these have the same effect as the Nitrate of soda? ..before I go to the gardening store and spend any cash.
cheers

[DavidT]

Which is more important, the onions or the cash? You tightwad you.

[kiwi]

The wallet does squeak on the rare occasion I attempt to remove it from my pocket! ..no.. seriously, I was just hoping one of my homemade, organic, concoctions might have the same effect. I will track down some Nitrate of soda and as long as it costs less than a dollar I'll give it a go.

[DavidT]

Or try nettle tea, I assume you have nettles down there? If not I`m sure someone from up here can supply you.

[fivespud364]

they look healthy enough I think the reply about the bark locking up the nutrients could well be correct and it may mean you have to feed them more regularly

[PottyPot]

I'm growing onion from seed this year for the first time. I may need someone to hold my hand I usually buy sets, but seed is so much cheaper, and I've also noticed there aren't many guides on the Internet that explain growing onions from seed in any great detail

[DavidT]

If you`ve grown leeks then you can grow onions. They need to be sown by now though.