Medwyn Williams advises on the biggest onions to show and colourful carrots
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ONIONS I CAN GROW TO SHOW AND HOW DO I GET THE BEST RESULTS?
Medwyn says: You're bang on target to sow large exhibition onions. Years ago my father and I would sow them on Christmas morning and come back to the house afterwards for a single malt each – happy days! The variety I'd recommend is the original 'Kelsae' onion that’s been around for years. There are, of course, many re-selections of this variety and they've improved immensely.
Sow seed sparingly on fine grade seed compost, space them out to allow plenty of room for root development, and gently press them into the compost. Cover over with some fine grade Vermiculite and soak the tray from the bottom up. Cover the tray with some glass or stretch clingfilm over it and place on some bottom heat or in a propagator. As soon as the seed has germinated remove the upper covering.
Transplant them into small cells or pots using good quality compost, such as Humax Original Multi-Purpose, and continue to pot them on before they get root bound in the pot. Some form of artificial lights would improve the plants' growth rate, which will allow you to get the best and strongest possible plants to grow on. Give them 24 hours of lights for the first six weeks, then reduce it down to around 14 hours until planting time.
This can be quite an expense but one a lot of top growers are happy to pay for in a quest to get a really beautiful set of winning onions, or even just the largest they've ever grown. Best results will be had from growing them on in a polytunnel or glasshouse in a raised bed or using pots – 30 litre pots should give you some excellent bulbs. This year I'm growing mine in 25 litre Autopots using Canna Coco Professional growing medium and feeding with Canna A&B liquid nutrient.
We sell 'Kelsae' onion in our seed catalogue as well as seedlings and premium plants for delivery in March.
And with that I'll wish you all a very merry Christmas.