Bunching onion seeds that I shoulda planted in early March

[zxcvbob]

Should I plant them now, or wait until fall, or maybe next year (I know they'll only have 50% germination at best next year.)

I'm in Minnesota, land of the almost midnight sun, and I'm not sure what the extremely long days will do to a bunching onion seedling. The variety is Crimson Forest.

Thanks, Bob

[Pat Kiewicz]

I'd go for it. See what happens. I don't think 'Welsh'/bunching onions (A. fistulosum) bulb up much in any case, long days or short. Or, if you live in a mild winter area, wait until later this summer and start them for winter harvest.

(A fresh packet next year would add less than a dollar to a seed order from Pinetree Garden Seeds.)

[John Ladasky]

I'm in California, and I am holding on to my bunching onion seeds until the fall. Day length is not my reason for keeping the seeds -- temperature is.

My vegetable garden book lists minimum, optimal, and maximum soil temperatures for the germination of several types of seeds. Onions prefer lower temperatures. Minimum temperature =3D 32=B0F; optimal =3D

80=B0F; maximum =3D 95=B0F.

The book cautions that soil temperatures can exceed air temperatures by as much as 20 degrees. I wish I had read that part before wasting seeds and water. Air temperatures in my area haven't gone above 85=B0 yet this season, but I'm sure that the soil has gotten significantly hotter than that.

I tried getting a second round of carrots, coriander, and chicory started three weeks ago. I have ONE new coriander seedling. The carrot seeds have the same maximum temperature as the onion seeds.

At the same time, I started tomato and cantaloupe seeds. They have germinated readily.

Hope that helps!

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[zxcvbob]

Thanks. I just planted the seeds this morning. When I get home I'll shade them for about a week so they don't get too hot.

Bob