Are the onions pregnant??

[wsmoak]

We bought onion starts last spring, and didn't get them planted until they were somewhat smelly and slimy. We didn't get anything from them last year, but it seems a few survived.

But WHAT are they doing? They formed little minaret looking things at the top, which I pinched off. Now they're swelling in the middle.

How do I know when they're ready to dig up?

-Wendy

 

[lesa]

Not sure about that swelling- I would cut one leaf open and see what it is. My bet is a flower... I can't exactly tell from the pic, but I think I see a rather large onion at the surface. If that is the case, you can certainly harvest now. The "directions" are to wait for the leaves to die back, before harvest. But, once the bulb is developed you can harvest anytime. I imagine they will get larger, if you leave them. Enjoy!

 

[vfem]

I have never seen anything like that either?! :/

Cut one open and see what it is.

You can dig them up now to eat if you like (if they're ok) but they will not be storeable for long, you'd have to refrigerate. If you want to cure and save them... wait until the tops flop over and begin to yellow/brown on the tips. Usually late May-early June for your area.

 

[Greenthumb18]

Yep, when you see onion's leaves that are swollen it means it's a flower stalk. I would cut that flower stalk off since it will use up energy from the onion to be used in developing its flowers. Unless you want to get onions seeds then leave it.

Hope this helps!!

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I saw some onions like that one time and it had what I call onion bulbules in it. I guess it would be "officially" called a scape.

 

[hoodat]

That's natures way of being sure the flower stalk, and thus the flowers, are strong enough to stand until the seeds develop. If you decide to save the seed and plant it the time to plant will depend on your climate and the onion variety,(long, short or intermediate day). Even if you get the timing of planting wrong you can still use the young onions as scallions or leave them in the ground another season for full sized onions. If you don't want the seed cut the flower stalk off.

 

[wsmoak]

I already pinched the tip of that stalk off -- it had a minaret shaped thing forming that I assumed was a flower/seeds. I'll just chop off that entire stalk (and of course cut it open to see what's in there!) -Wendy

 

[silkiechicken]

I was going to say that looks like a flower stalk... but everyone beat me to that. LOL

It should be hallow.