Regrowing onions, it actually can work!

I planted the root end of an onion, thinking I would get a stalk,  flower and seed at best.
Instead I got more onion bulb!
The tomato sharing the container eventually shaded it out and put an end to the regrow,  but I'm convinced enough to plant more onion "heels " in containers of their own.

I've found that it works fairly reliably. One thing that seems to help is leave a bit more of the original onion attached to the root than during normal kitchen prep.

Very cool! I've always planted the root ends and some have grown, but I never thought to check to see if there are any actual bulbs under the growth.

I just got a pair of onions that way.

I'm willing to leave quite a bit of onion with the roots just to get green onions.
If I can reliably multiply the onions,  I will set aside growing space just for them.
Well,  actually I was thinking that a sub-irrigated planter growing onions would be a good place to tuck some tree seeds, so not just for them,  but close.

William Bronson wrote:I planted the root end of an onion, thinking I would get a stalk,  flower and seed at best.
Instead I got more onion bulb!
The tomato sharing the container eventually shaded it out and put an end to the regrow,  but I'm convinced enough to plant more onion "heels " in containers of their own.

How long did you let it grow?

Mk Neal wrote:

William Bronson wrote:I planted the root end of an onion, thinking I would get a stalk,  flower and seed at best.
Instead I got more onion bulb!
The tomato sharing the container eventually shaded it out and put an end to the regrow,  but I'm convinced enough to plant more onion "heels " in containers of their own.

How long did you let it grow?

I harvested mine after the onion stalk turned brown, about 7 weeks.

I'm not certain but I think it got less than a month of actual grow time before the tomatoes and cilantro overshadowed them.

William Bronson wrote:I'm not certain but I think it got less than a month of actual grow time before the tomatoes and cilantro overshadowed them.

Wow, that's so fast! I want to do this with all my onion ends from now on!

How much time did it take for that to happen?

I'm assuming that would only work for bulbing onions. But your seeing success is awesome!

I don't usually see them multiply like that. I just replant every onion root that comes along. Like you said, for the greens if nothing else. It seems to be more successful during cooler months rather than summer. Extra water might help but I try to avoid irrigating.