Growing onions in containers

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Permalink Reply by Darren Blick on September 1, 2012 at 21:05

I think any variety will be ok, depends what you prefer

Ensure to mix some feed with the compost used

Onions like potash so either use some potash or something like Osmocote is good, which is a slow release high potash feed

Put the pot in a tray and water from the bottom, the water will soak up

Try not to water from the top as you will get Botrytis, neck rot

 

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Permalink Reply by Maggie McLean on September 1, 2012 at 21:19

Thanks for the advice Darren. That's brilliant and really useful info.

 

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Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on September 1, 2012 at 22:37

Hi Maggie, I've been growing onions in containers for years and, as Darren says, any variety will succeed, either from sets or seed. My favourite container is the supermarket produce box and the pics show the yield I got last year from one box.

I use a home-made compost rich in organic matter and feed with liquid seaweed tea. If you use a commercial MPC you will need to feed regularly.

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Wilson on September 2, 2012 at 15:37

Depends what your intention is with the finished product! 

If for show and you are looking for size - Ailsae or Kelsae both are big show onions with a mild flavour. If you intend to show smaller onions Vento. If you are just after a good onion for the Kitchen then I recommend Stutgarter Giant (Not a massive onion shaped like a Turks head but tastes great) or an old variety Ailsa Craig or Sturton both round onions with good flavour. I like to put chicken pellets in with the compost when starting them off - gives them some early growth.

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Permalink Reply by Maggie McLean on September 3, 2012 at 20:40

Thanks Colin. I'm really impressed by the yield you got from one box. This is a great help to me, knowing it can be done on a small scale.

Thank you.

 

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Permalink Reply by Maggie McLean on September 3, 2012 at 20:42

I've never used chicken pellets before Geoff, this may be a stupid question but do they attract animals such as foxes or cats?

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Flighty on September 3, 2012 at 21:34

Maggie yes they can attract foxes, as can blood, fish and bone.  Growmore is okay.

This link may help - Understanding Fertilisers from the National Vegetable Society

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Wilson on September 4, 2012 at 16:05

Chicken pellets are treated dried chicken manure and a non-chemical general purpose fertilizer available from B&Q, and most supermarkets - I'm not aware of them attracting animals.

Maggie McLean said:

I've never used chicken pellets before Geoff, this may be a stupid question but do they attract animals such as foxes or cats?

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Maggie McLean on September 4, 2012 at 19:57

Thanks Flighty, I found that really useful.

 

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Permalink Reply by Maggie McLean on September 4, 2012 at 19:58

Thanks Geoff. I've ordered some onion sets from Thompson Morgan. Really looking forward to giving them a go.

Thanks again to everyone for all the info.

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Permalink Reply by Fred Hogg on September 4, 2012 at 21:40

I am not aware of them doing so either Geoff, nor any other of the exhibition growers, in my prefered veg . growing fraternity,This is a topic to pose on the NVS site..
 
Geoff Wilson said:

Chicken pellets are treated dried chicken manure and a non-chemical general purpose fertilizer available from B&Q, and most supermarkets - I'm not aware of them attracting animals.

Maggie McLean said:

I've never used chicken pellets before Geoff, this may be a stupid question but do they attract animals such as foxes or cats?

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on September 4, 2012 at 22:56

The topic of chicken manure pellets attracting foxes has been discussed on other forums and the opinion seems to be that they do. I've never had that problem but then some of my neighbours keep hens so the foxes presumably prefer the real thing!

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