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Post by richardw on Apr 11, 2015 1:03:13 GMT -5
Now have three seedlings up, fingers crossed for more
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Post by richardw on Apr 24, 2015 14:22:38 GMT -5
Ended up with 7 seedlings,so,these will be grown inside the tunnelhouse for winter
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Post by reed on May 31, 2015 8:08:20 GMT -5
I wasn't sure where to put this, I'v mentioned these walking onions I grow before but couldn't find where. I don't know what they are. They are supposedly left over from 150 years ago or so when the area where I live, again supposedly, was know for growing onions and shipping them down the Ohio River to New Orleans. I have grown these for many, many years. This spring I divided a couple over crowded clumps and put them in a new spot and now they are doing this. It could be I suppose that before finding this forum I wasn't as alert to such things but I am pretty sure they never ever did this before. The ones left in the old patch are not doing this. Or maybe there is some kind of weird magic associated with this forum, in any event looks like I might get seeds. I'm going to track down everyone I have given these to over the years and see if any others are doing this.   |
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Post by philagardener on May 31, 2015 8:14:39 GMT -5
Hope they are fertile! Some folks remove bulbils in an effort to direct the plant's effort to the flowers and seed set.
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Post by reed on Jun 1, 2015 3:18:09 GMT -5
Its hard to tell for sure what the flowers are even attached too, I'm afraid to mess with them too much. I'm wondering if I do get seeds should I save them or just plant them immediately, I'm thinking probably the second one.
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Post by templeton on Jun 1, 2015 6:11:26 GMT -5
Its hard to tell for sure what the flowers are even attached too, I'm afraid to mess with them too much. I'm wondering if I do get seeds should I save them or just plant them immediately, I'm thinking probably the second one. Reed, get stuck in. My reasoning - if you don't get the bulbils off, your flowers will probably abort. If you wreck the flowers getting the bulbils off, nothing lost. In my experience, the flowers are really quite robust, and will still hang on even if you wobble them about a bit. Hey, I should know, I worked over dozens of flower stalks, and got 3 whole viable seeds (puffs out chest, struts around a bit, waiting for applause...)  T |
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Post by reed on Jun 1, 2015 6:52:43 GMT -5
Well, maybe I'll try some each way, almost all the ones in this patch, about a dozen are doing this. The one in the picture has the most. Some have just one or two flowers on top of the leaves growing out of the bulbils themselves so I guess I won't remove those. I wonder if I get seeds maybe the next generation will have some that are not quite as hot tasting as these. We use mostly the leaves and bulbils as the bigger bulbs are pretty overpowering.
Its sprinkling rain but I'm gonna go out and visit them right now.
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Post by templeton on Jun 1, 2015 7:17:16 GMT -5
Good idea to hedge your bets. I have used a pencil or similar to help get the first tight ones out.
t
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Jun 1, 2015 11:04:58 GMT -5
I worked over dozens of flower stalks, and got 3 whole viable seeds (puffs out chest, struts around a bit, waiting for applause...) I consider that to be among the most significant plant breeding endeavors ever reported in this forum. Because it demonstrated that walking onions can produce viable seeds. And if they can produce seeds, then we can easily create new varieties rather than cloning. If I haven't already awarded a lifetime achievement award for that project, I do so now. Also awarding gold stars to those who confirmed your results by successfully growing seed in their own gardens. |
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Post by reed on Jun 1, 2015 15:18:52 GMT -5
I spoke too soon, some in my other patch are doing it too as are almost all of the ones at the little pioneer homestead garden I gave some to couple years ago. Couple other people are checking and promised to let me know. My garlic is acting weird too, no bulbils (I think its early for that anyway) or flowers either one, the tops are going around in complete circles. It usually just goes straight up about waist high and makes lots of little bulbils.
Something odd going on this year.
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Post by philagardener on Jun 1, 2015 18:35:14 GMT -5
I spoke too soon, some in my other patch are doing it too as are almost all of the ones at the little pioneer homestead garden I gave some to couple years ago. Couple other people are checking and promised to let me know. My garlic is acting weird too, no bulbils (I think its early for that anyway) or flowers either one, the tops are going around in complete circles. It usually just goes straight up about waist high and makes lots of little bulbils. Something odd going on this year. My garlic scapes typically form a tight circle 3-4 inches in diameter, but I haven't tried to many different varieties. I usually harvest them after that, although I have let a few go to bulbils and (apparently sterile  ) flowers. I've never actually seen one grow straight up!  |
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Post by templeton on Jun 1, 2015 19:13:55 GMT -5
I worked over dozens of flower stalks, and got 3 whole viable seeds (puffs out chest, struts around a bit, waiting for applause...) I consider that to be among the most significant plant breeding endeavors ever reported in this forum. Because it demonstrated that walking onions can produce viable seeds. And if they can produce seeds, then we can easily create new varieties rather than cloning. If I haven't already awarded a lifetime achievement award for that project, I do so now. Also awarding gold stars to those who confirmed your results by successfully growing seed in their own gardens. ...where the 'aww, shucks' smiley?... T |
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Post by reed on Jun 2, 2015 5:25:24 GMT -5
On the onion flowers, it sounds like some possibility they are sterile. They appear to have all the appropriate parts, is it possible a plant is self sterile? Should I try to move pollen between plants?
philagardener, about the garlic, it always just makes the tall straight spikes with a globe on top made of lots of the little bulbs. This year it is all curled up with a pointed growth on the end. I guess they are called garlic scapes except I never had them on mine before, can't wait to see what is inside of them.
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Post by philagardener on Jun 2, 2015 6:01:36 GMT -5
On the onion flowers, it sounds like some possibility they are sterile. They appear to have all the appropriate parts, is it possible a plant is self sterile? Should I try to move pollen between plants? philagardener, about the garlic, it always just makes the tall straight spikes with a globe on top made of lots of the little bulbs. This year it is all curled up with a pointed growth on the end. I guess they are called garlic scapes except I never had them on mine before, can't wait to see what is inside of them. I would definitely try to promote cross pollination - not only might you address self-incompatibility but you would also be increasing genetic diversity by outcrossing. Interesting that scape form might be affected by growing conditions. Some years my coils are tighter than others. |
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Post by reed on Jun 4, 2015 19:30:12 GMT -5
I didn't do anything to cross pollinate but I saw some kind of little fly looking critters buzzing the flowers so I'll just leave it to them. Some of the older flowers are already drying up and looks like four little or a four lobed little structure growing in it. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I'm not worried about the onions cause they have plenty of the little bulbs along with the flowers but the garlic is a little worrisome cause it isn't making any little bulbs, at least not yet. I have never had to worry with doing anything to keep it cause those little things always came up all over the place. All I'v had to do is thin and weed them out of places they didn't belong. If it doesn't make any I will have to pay attention to the bulbs and make sure to take care of them I guess. Maybe it will bloom like the onions, just have to wait and see.
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) flowers. I've never actually seen one grow straight up! 