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Post by salmonslayer91 on Jun 29, 2012 13:35:38 GMT -5
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Jun 29, 2012 14:08:03 GMT -5
Looks like plain ol Egyptian onions to me. They sure are red! They tend towards lots of different shapes/sizes in my garden also, even when planted from clones. And what the clones look like varies from year to year.
Welcome and thanks for the photos.
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Post by caledonian on Jun 29, 2012 20:22:46 GMT -5
It's not clear how many different varieties / clones of topsetting onion there are. They don't produce seed (normally, and sources say they're sterile). Some people think they're the result of a cross between the 'Welsh' onion and good ol' Allium cepa, and I think people may have done a lot of informal experimenting back in the 19th century. And of course there have been mutations in the planting stock since then, like with garlic.
I guess you could always try making the interspecific cross yourself, and finding out what happens.
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Jun 29, 2012 21:14:50 GMT -5
Some people think they're the result of a cross between the 'Welsh' onion and good ol' Allium cepa, and I think people may have done a lot of informal experimenting back in the 19th century. ... I guess you could always try making the interspecific cross yourself, and finding out what happens. I have both species growing in my garden. I intend to do the cross next summer. (My Welsh onions are not expected to bloom until next summer. Don't think I know anyone growing 2nd year bulbs.) |
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Post by richardw on Jun 30, 2012 15:32:13 GMT -5
Joesph is spot on,that looks just like my line Egyptian onions
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Post by salmonslayer91 on Jun 30, 2012 21:59:53 GMT -5
Great! After some initial googling i was even more confused, with false egyptian regular egyptian and etc. It was even more confounded when i looked at the number of varieties help by SSE
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Post by benboo on Jun 30, 2012 22:18:00 GMT -5
Is it possible to have seeds from Egyptian onions? The seed capsules seem to be swelling on mine. (this is my first year with them)
If they are sterile, is it possible that the flowers were pollinated by my welsh onions?
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Jun 30, 2012 22:58:56 GMT -5
Is it possible to have seeds from Egyptian onions? The seed capsules seem to be swelling on mine. (this is my first year with them) If they are sterile, is it possible that the flowers were pollinated by my welsh onions? I also have seed capsules swelling on my Egyptian onions after I removed the bulbils from the flower head. I believe that Egyptian onions are an inter-species hybrid between common bulb onion and Welsh onion. So Welsh onion might be a compatible pollen donor to Egyptian onions. Both species have the same number of chromosomes. |
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Post by benboo on Jul 13, 2012 17:22:43 GMT -5
Some capsules have withered away, but others are still looking good and swelling. Hope to have some seeds soon!
If the seeds do form, and the seeds germinate, could the seedlings have more vigor than the parent plant?
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Jul 13, 2012 17:40:01 GMT -5
When I thrashed and winnowed the seed heads from the Egyptian Onions from which I had removed bulbils, there were no seeds left behind. I have lots more blooming in the garden that I haven't removed bulbils from. I'll pay attention, but at this point it's not looking good for me.
I am removing bulbils from garlic blossoms every time I get out to the garlic patch the last few weeks. Some of the flower buds are about ready to open. Insects are scouting them out looking for pollen or nectar.
Oh-My-Terror!!! I thought I'd stand next to the flowering onion patch today. I know in theory that all those wasps and bees are not the slightest bit interested in stinging me. But my animal instincts are not so intellectual about the prospects.
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Post by benboo on Jul 13, 2012 22:26:15 GMT -5
Good luck with the seed collecting!
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Post by benboo on Jul 21, 2012 9:53:38 GMT -5
Some plants still have green swollen seed capsules, but most have withered away. I broke one open today and found a ripe, black seed! I would guess by the number of capsules still maturing, that I might get 15-20 seeds... Those seeds are going to get some serious care.
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Post by s2man on Jul 23, 2012 14:34:07 GMT -5
Nice pics, salmonslayer. Those are gorgeous top sets. I didn't get the secondary shoots or flowers on mine, this year. At least not on the ones which have already died back. I've got more in another bed which are still going strong.
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James
grub
Greetings from Utah -- James
Posts: 93
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Post by James on Oct 30, 2012 9:21:17 GMT -5
They look just like the onions that were given me years ago and the lady who gave them to me called them "Forever Onions".
Yes, I suspect they are Egyptian Onions (Which have went by many different names).
I like to take the bulbils and replant them. They make nice scallions shortly.
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Post by templeton on Oct 31, 2012 5:50:34 GMT -5
You've just inspired me to go out in the allium patch and start removing bulbils...
T
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But frankly i dont know.... The small envelope i got them in last year as topsets said "red top" is red top a variety of Walking onion? Tree Onion? i do no think it is catawissa but maybe? HELP!
But frankly i dont know.... The small envelope i got them in last year as topsets said "red top" is red top a variety of Walking onion? Tree Onion? i do no think it is catawissa but maybe? HELP!
we all have flaws mine happens to be inheirted
