Why are my Onions falling over?

MrBooker 6/13/2022, 10:30 am

A few days ago, my onions were standing tall and green. All of a sudden they fell over. The leaves are still green and the bulbs are baseball size. No signs of disease or insects. I thought I was giving them ample water. Maybe not. Perhaps a good watering will bring them out of it.... Let me know please.

1 - Why are my Onions falling over? Onions12

MrBooker 6/13/2022, 10:32 am

another onion pic.

1 - Why are my Onions falling over? Onions13

OhioGardener 6/13/2022, 1:38 pm

I suspect it is weather related. With the sudden heat wave that hit us, the onions think they have reached their maturity. When this happens, the moisture and carbohydrates move from the leaves down into the bulb, causing the bulb to swell and start maturity. As this happens, the neck of the onion softens and the tops fall over because the neck can no long support them.

That is my best guess, just based on my years of experience.... Smile

Meanwhile, last Thursday evening we had a tornado pass over us, and all of my onions and leeks were flattened by the 85 mph winds. I also found out the pea tendrils are no match for those kind of winds, and they were ripped from the arbor in shredded pieces.

MrBooker 6/13/2022, 3:50 pm

OhioGardener wrote:I suspect it is weather related. With the sudden heat wave that hit us, the onions think they have reached their maturity. When this happens, the moisture and carbohydrates move from the leaves down into the bulb, causing the bulb to swell and start maturity.

Thanks a bunch O.G. I never had this happen before. I feared I had over watered or under watered. I tried to keep the soil moist without Over/under watering. I checked them almost daily with a moisture meter.

The bulbs are doing great. Most are at least baseball size and some are softball size. If they do keep getting bigger for awhile, I should have a great harvest. I'll post pics by the end of the week.

My wife's grandmother raised her and they had a huge garden back then. Believe this or not, this morning my wife told me just about the same thing you did about the onions. I read your post to her and she said,
"See, I told you so. You should listen to me"................. Of course, she's RIGHT. (as always) Very Happy

OhioGardener 6/13/2022, 4:13 pm

MrBooker wrote: I read your post to her and she said, "See, I told you so. You should listen to me"................. Of course, she's RIGHT. (as always)

Rule #1: The wife is always right!
Rule #2: If you think the wife is wrong, see Rule #1.

**sanderson** 6/13/2022, 4:31 pm

OhioGardener wrote:
MrBooker wrote: I read your post to her and she said, "See, I told you so. You should listen to me"................. Of course, she's RIGHT. (as always)

Rule #1: The wife is always right!
Rule #2: If you think the wife is wrong, see Rule #1.

MrBooker 6/15/2022, 10:43 am

Since the Onion stalks fell over, the were covering the bulbs and blocking all of the sunlight. I moved all the stalks away from the bulbs to allow sunlight. Don't know if that will help or harm them.

My question is, should I give them water at this point? I'm thinking I should probably hold back the water but not sure. I never had this happen before.

1 - Why are my Onions falling over? New_on10

1 - Why are my Onions falling over? New_on11

OhioGardener 6/15/2022, 10:52 am

MrBooker wrote:My question is, should I give them water at this point? I'm thinking I should probably hold back the water but not sure. I never had this happen before.

No, they do not need/want water while they are finishing. Too much water will cause soft bulbs which will quickly rot.

MrBooker 6/15/2022, 11:00 am

OhioGardener wrote:
MrBooker wrote:My question is, should I give them water at this point? I'm thinking I should probably hold back the water but not sure. I never had this happen before.

No, they do not need/want water while they are finishing. Too much water will cause soft bulbs which will quickly rot.

That's the answer I was looking for. I was thinking that, but wasn't sure. That's why I love this forum.
Thanks O.G. 1 - Why are my Onions falling over? 3170584802

1 - Why are my Onions falling over? 3170584802

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