Post by flowerweaver on Aug 7, 2014 12:38:33 GMT -5
Technically, in southwest Texas near the Mexican border, I am considered in the short-day area for onions, although I live in the hills in a frost pocket. I really don't understand how I am considered short-day length when I have such long day lengths compared to people in say, Wisconsin. In the summer the sun doesn't set until 9 pm. Anyhow, the cut-off for mid-day length is not that far north from me.
The past three years all of my short-day onions (red, yellow, white) have gone to flower within four months of planting them at the 'correct' time. I think that the cycles of frost and unusual warmth at the beginning of the year has faked them into thinking they have gone through two complete annual cycles!
The only onion that made it through was a mid-day length white I ordered to test the waters. It did not get confused. What could this mean? Should I be looking at ordering mid-day onion sets instead, or was this one a fluke? Should I be planting earlier or later?
This year all my garlic set scapes instantly, too. Again, I only have grown softneck varieties because that's the generally accepted thing to do. Should I be trying hardnecks? Or planting at a different time?
Perhaps this is one reason I should be moving entirely toward perennial alliums. Any words of advice appreciated now that garlic ordering season is upon me!
The past three years all of my short-day onions (red, yellow, white) have gone to flower within four months of planting them at the 'correct' time. I think that the cycles of frost and unusual warmth at the beginning of the year has faked them into thinking they have gone through two complete annual cycles!
The only onion that made it through was a mid-day length white I ordered to test the waters. It did not get confused. What could this mean? Should I be looking at ordering mid-day onion sets instead, or was this one a fluke? Should I be planting earlier or later?
This year all my garlic set scapes instantly, too. Again, I only have grown softneck varieties because that's the generally accepted thing to do. Should I be trying hardnecks? Or planting at a different time?
Perhaps this is one reason I should be moving entirely toward perennial alliums. Any words of advice appreciated now that garlic ordering season is upon me!
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