Do Alliums need to acclimate to local garden conditions?

[mauldintiger]

I'm in upstate SC, zone 7b, and in my second year of growing potato onions. Bought some last year from Kelly Winterton and Southern Exposure, but none sized up in 2016, 2" max. In discussions with Kelly, he wondered if they are day length sensitive? Ordered some hardneck garlic from a lady in Virginia who says it took 3 years for it to size up, I bought it from her because she's in the same zone as me. 
I tried to eliminate any local factors in this years PO's by heavily amending with organic compost, heavy mulch and the sunniest part of the garden.
i planted about 60 of my best bulbs from last year and five from Kelly's 2016 crop on October 22, 2016 in the new bed. Two of Kelly's were huge, about 4" across. The 2016 crop from Kelly was planted 12-2-15. They are looking good right now, most have divided 5-6 times. I'll get some pics of what they look like today when I get home.

Any thoughts about Allium acclimating or day lengths?

[mauldintiger]

Kelly only had a limited supply last fall and only sold five GM bulbs to each customer, the five I received were very large, all between 3-4" in diameter. Last year he was sold out of the GM's, so I got some of his other varieties, most of which bloomed, but I did not try to save the seed. I also purchased some seed from him this year that I will direct seed a little later. Your size was consistent with mine last year, but you're clearly in a long day zone similar to Kelly's. Why are they sizing up for him but not either of us? Acclimation? Apparently he had been growing his several years before they flowered. I'm really into figuring out vegetative propagating garlic and onions, I read the threads on the advantages of cleaning the strain of viruses through seed, but I'm not sure I'm patient enough for that, plus at 67, I probably don't have that much time anyway!

[walt]

Hey!  I'll be 67 in about 3 weeks, and I'm 3 years into a citrus breeding adventure that will take 30 years if I do it right the first time (i. e., if I'm lucky).
I knew an iris breeder who was a retired college English professor when he took up iris breeding.  He lived to be 101.  He was also breeding lilies and peonies.  
And an 80 year old bonsai grower was still planting acorns when I last heard.
I think plant breeding and gardening in general may make you live longer.  That is besides having good food to eat.  Of course, if you hate gardening and/or plant breeding, then it might just seem like living longer.
A Japanese bonsai master was asked how he could be so patient with the bonsai.  He said, "Patience is only needed when you don't enjoy what you are doing."  Same with plant breeding.

[billw]

Most potato onions appear to be long day. Under 12 hour lighting they can be persuaded to flower, but they barely produce bulbs.