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Post by Leenstar on Apr 29, 2011 21:45:32 GMT -5
I got some shallots last year from a member of the SSX. I transplanted some left over bulbs and let them over winter.
Now they look great except this week I see that a number of them have sent up a flower stalk. While I am curious about the possibility of raising shallots from seed, I have no idea about how to approach this new development
1. Cut off the seed stalk to form bulbs to culinary and transplanting use?
2. Allow them to go to seed so I can mess around with the seeds that result (assuming I get seeds after letting them flower)
3. Do half of 1 and 2
4. Something else?
I'd love you experienced advice and direction!!!
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Post by iva on Apr 30, 2011 4:39:38 GMT -5
You can save seeds and grow new plants from them the next year. But do not use bulbs of the flowering shallots for transplanting next year as those are very likely to flower too.
For means of propagating with bulbs, use the shallots that had not flowered, that will insure further good crops. You can still eat the bulbs from the flowering shallots but they won't be as large...
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Post by mnjrutherford on Apr 30, 2011 7:26:57 GMT -5
This is excellent! My shallots have not flowered but it IS looking as though I'll actually get some. If I do see flowering, I'll select one or two and observe/collect.
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Post by iva on May 1, 2011 3:01:37 GMT -5
You should have at least four flowering plants to ensure good pollination, then you can save seeds...
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 1, 2011 8:12:15 GMT -5
Thank you Iva! I appreciate that input. This is only my second year planting alliums. Last year the poor shallots were devoured by weeds!
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Post by heidihi on May 1, 2011 8:59:29 GMT -5
let the seed heads fall over and self seed of (I agree with Iva on the number) at least four depending on how many you planted
cut the rest off just to assure some harvest ..shallots do not always form full bulbs once they start blooming but you have a good shot..so get them off now before they divert anymore energy
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 1, 2011 13:34:19 GMT -5
I think I have only 2 or 3 dozen planted. I'll be out there tomorrow or Tuesday to check things out.
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Post by caledonian on Sept 25, 2011 12:23:22 GMT -5
I've noticed that shallots which are likely to have come from hybrid sources (especially those at the grocery store) are both more like regular onions and are more likely to set flowers - no big surprise there. I've never seen viable seed form on the blossoms I've left on the plants, though.
The older forms, which are more obviously 'shallot-like' and have probably been propagated vegetatively for generations, rarely seem to flower.
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