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Location

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Date Posted

Pinedale, WY

I am looking for some giant onion seeds? I speak at a lot of Men's Ministry type conferences, and I have one next fall, I would love to bring a couple of giant onions for a prop, and harvest some seeds. Anyone have any?

12/9/2010 7:55:37 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

PPastor, I have a few seeds, but the way I understand it, seeds are a 2 season project. Will send ya a few if ya want em!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...email w/ addy wsmpeace@bellsouth.net

12/9/2010 11:15:19 PM

Netherlands

Giant onions need to be started in October/November. You harvest them the next year around September or later. Then plant them again to get them to produce seeds which they do the year after if you are even able to get them to survive the winter and produce seed without rotting.

It is estimated that with special lighting, heating, ventilation, germination and growing chambers, special soil, fertilizer, pesticides, fungicides, watering, etc, that a giant onion costs about $500 to produce and then you really have to know what you are doing.

12/10/2010 6:02:54 AM

Pinedale, WY

I am going to listen to Brad, I think this is more than I want to get into. I never checked into growing onions. Thought it was like a carrot or cucumber, and you put the seeds in and have onions by fall.

12/10/2010 1:20:57 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

If someone has some onion seeds, I'd like to try them... and yes, if you knew what I spent on mater plants last year, I'm ready for the challenge. Thanks.

12/11/2010 8:42:07 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I wouldn't let that stop you Pastor. I tried onions for the first time last summer ( Alicia Craig ) and although no records were in danger, I learned a lot and they are some of the best onions I ever had.

12/11/2010 9:40:56 AM

Pinedale, WY

I'm still a little on the novice side of gardening. I think I need another 2-3 years, and then I might give it a whirl.

12/11/2010 5:39:59 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I have grown a 5 pounder here in colorado. not the big ones but i did start it inside.

12/12/2010 8:27:19 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

CCW, from seed?...and made 5#'s...wowzers!!! Okie...w/the dedication you showed w/ maters last year I will gladly send you some onion (GIANT) seeds!!!! email 2 wsmpeace@bellsouth.net...it can be dun!!! Peace, Wayne

12/14/2010 2:52:43 AM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

You can get seed at:
http://www.westcoastseeds.com/productdetail/Vegetable-Seeds/Onions/Kelsae/
but they are currently out of stock. Reimer has them also:
http://www.reimerseeds.com/the-kelsae-sweet-giant-onions-guinness-record.aspx
I start mine the 2nd week of January and have grown them over 6 lbs. but 3 -4 is average.

12/14/2010 3:01:07 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

looked thru a diary tonite...someone from England I think...15+ #er...and savin em to grow seed stock from!!! Amazing!!! Peace, Wayne

12/15/2010 2:36:20 AM

Chapman, Nebraska

http://www.exhibition-seeds.co.uk/acatalog/Ailsae_Onion_Seed_and_Grwing_Booklet.html

They sell World Record Onion Strain - Ailsae

They Ship to the US, I just received my order this week
Their growing booklet is also very helpful

1/26/2011 9:29:06 AM

Netherlands

I'm afraid you kind of got busted. Ailsae is not the world record strain at all, though there are some Ailsae/Kelsae genetics in there way back.

The ad says there is no secret feed or magic, but I wouldn't bet on that one either if you are going for the big one.

Just for clarification, the British have two separate competitions, exhibition and giants. Ailsae are grown for exhibition, which basically means, who has the prettiest giant onions.

If you want real giant onion seed that is commercially available, then you are better off with seed from Medwyn Williams [http://www.medwynsofanglesey.co.uk/shop/VEGETABLE-SEED/Onions/Giant-Onion-P-G-Selection/prod_191.html]. There you can see that the strain is from Billy Lamb, the big name in giant onion genetics, and not Ailsae.

1/27/2011 2:42:26 AM

Chapman, Nebraska

Onion Strain - Ailsae

Bred from a 3 way cross from bulbs of the strains. Ailsa Craig. The other strain was the variety. The Kelsae, hence the name Ailsae

Registered in 1993 under trial name of Ailsae by Exhibition Seeds. Granted variety name in winter 1995. It is the holder of the world record with 15lbs 15½oz

Mr. Mel Ednie of Anstruther grew the bulb in 1995 and according to the record books the strain was Ailsae.

Then in 2005 a private strain of onion is the new record. The world’s heaviest onion is now — weighing in at 16lb 8½oz (468g).

John Sifford, 66, from Romsley, West Midlands, beat the ten-year-old record of 15lb 15½oz at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show. The previous record holder was Mel Ednie, of Anstruther, Fife, who tried to beat his own record twice before retiring.

The world’s heaviest onion is judged under the Guinness book of records rules, they stipulate that the tops must be removed and also the roots.

1/28/2011 10:06:34 PM

Netherlands

Quite correct and well-known. But, Atlantic giant pumpkin seeds are also sold everywhere (Lowe's, etc). They also claim to have grown the WR. But the AG seeds at Lowe's will not grow you anything over a few 100 lbs.

Same thing happened with onions. Storebought will not get you very far. Medwyn sells the real thing. Kind of the Howard Dill in giant onion seed.

Just curious if the growing booklet mentioned that you have to start in late October or early November. Can you let me know?

Thanks and good luck.

1/29/2011 12:50:09 PM

Chapman, Nebraska

The booklet states Sow in late December or early January for the dressed onions.
and in mid December for giant onions.

And Plant the onions in mid March in beds or when soil has warmed to 65F degrees.

The booklet is very informative and well worth buying, at least I think it is.

Hope that helps.

1/30/2011 1:35:32 AM

Netherlands

Mid December will set you back about two months.

Here is a picture of how big onions should be by mid December. This grower is considered one of the best in the world having grown many onions in the 13-15+ lb range.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=150096

1/31/2011 4:04:17 AM

Netherlands

Here's another mid-December picture from another grower. This grower's PB is 12 lbs.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=150137

1/31/2011 4:08:17 AM

Vancouver, Canada

Good morning everyone!
West Coast Seeds has the Kelsae onions in stock now. They came in around the time of this post. Although not too much so get 'em while they are there!

2/22/2012 10:44:50 AM