Onions

[grammysharon]

We have always used our onions while they were small, but this year let them grow. When should I pull them? Some of them have seed things on the ends, can I use those? I have always bought onion set at the local feed store. Help!

[GreenZone]

Sharon,
The onions are ready when the tops begin to fall over--the stem gets weak there and dies or dries. That's when the bulbs are ready. Pull them, let them cure in the sun a day or three, and they're ready to store.

The seedheads some folks pull off as soon as visible, believing that the bulbs get bigger if no energy is diverted to growing flowers. Since you've already let yours go (I'm not sure it makes a difference anyway) you now have onion seed. Trouble is you don't know what kind of seed, nor if it's open-pollinated. You could try growing it out, if you feel like experimenting. --Randel

[drobinson]

One comment about curing onions (and potatoes) in the sun. If they are left in the sun too long, exposed areas will turn green. This is a slightly toxic substance called solanine, which, if eaten in sufficient quantities can cause sickness. You might notice it on potatoes that grow partially exposed to the sun. Not leaving onions or potatoes out in the sun too long to cure is OK. The hotter the sun, the less time one should "sun cure" them. Cutting away the green before cooking or eating is an easy and safe way to eliminate it. By the way, even store bought potatoes will turn green if left in the sun.

[grammysharon]

Thanks for the help, only a few of them have seeds, so I can take off the others as they appear.

[GreenZone]

Actually only potatoes make solanine when exposed to excessive sunshine. It's likely to be present when the potato shows green patches just under the skin.
--Randel

[drobinson]

Randel,
Thanks for the correction. Further research reveals that solanine is unique to the night shade plants; potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers.
But, I do have a question. What is that green stuff that shows up on onions when exposed to too much sun? And, is it safe to eat?

[skip]

growing up in my dads garden when the tops of the onions grew about 2 feet tall we would bend the shoots over was told this would make the onion grow more as like was said less fuel to grow the tops more for the onion itself
;)

[TennOC]

You can eat the green parts of onions whether it's on the top or bulb. Since it's on the outside, it might get peeled off anyway with the tougher skin parts.