Large shallots..

[RickF]

Anyone got any suggestions for large shallots? I picked some up at the market the other day (here in Los Angeles) and they had some that were larger than a golf ball and some were almost as large as 2 golf balls.. I've bought shallots from Burpee in the past and they were about as big as individual garlic cloves.. Anyone got suggestions on the large dudes that might be happy in zone 10?

 

[digitS']

Rick, the shallots that I have grown from seed were large.

The 1st year, they will usually not divide and grow a single large bulb. I have had success, keeping some of those as sets and planting again the following spring. Those sets usually divide but are still much larger than the French Grey shallots that I have grown for about 20 years in my garden.

The shallots from seed appear to all be hybrids. I suppose that they might have parents from different allium species but the taste is shallot.

Steve

 

[hoodat]

Anyone got any suggestions for large shallots? I picked some up at the market the other day (here in Los Angeles) and they had some that were larger than a golf ball and some were almost as large as 2 golf balls.. I've bought shallots from Burpee in the past and they were about as big as individual garlic cloves.. Anyone got suggestions on the large dudes that might be happy in zone 10?

Last year I bought some of the ones with a thick reddish brown skin in Vons grocery. I planted them and some of them grew to the size of softballs. They produced about four shallot bulbs for every one I planted. Delicious flavor and very good keepers.

 

[RickF]

Funny you mention Von's Hoodat.. That's where I got these -- a local Vons/Pavillions. I've got one left and the price was even reasonable.. I vaguely recall in the past that local markets typical gouge people for buying shallots -- but not this year IMHO.

Interestingly enough, Baker seeds doesn't sell Shallot seeds but Johnny's and Burpee do (Johnny's has a wider selection)

 

[hoodat]

I saved seed from those I grew last year. I know they are good. Those I planted are already up and growing. Send me an SASE if you want some.

 

[RickF]

I saved seed from those I grew last year. I know they are good. Those I planted are already up and growing. Send me an SASE if you want some.

Thanks for the offer.. I'll probably just visit he local Von's again and get some more and pop them in the dirt..