I started my onions from seed in the house on Valentine's day. After the germinated I put them under lights and they grew oh so tall and skinny. They are now out in the greenhouse since it is up and running, but they are looking pretty sad still.

I am going to fertilize with some compost tea, but does anyone have ideas to plump them up? I broadcast the seeds in a tray and they look like an overgrown lawn all tipped over and leggy. I will be sad if they don't make the grade and get planted - they just look too delicate to transplant into the garden.

Hi
I read in one of my books that you can cut them to about 2-3" i'v done that so far and they look alot better than the first batch which i added to the compost pile when they all fell over and matted down.
I keep cutting them back to a height that they are standing up without bending over so far so good and they look alot thicker than the first batch did
I guess i'll stop cutting them back when i trans- plant them in the garden.
This is the frist year i'v started onion from seed so i cant tell you the final result but so far so good.

I have also read about trimming them down, and a friend of mine frowned on it so I haven't tried it. Although she never tried it either. I think I will go for it since I really have nothing to lose at this point. That same friend started hers last year in her greenhouse and they were stout strong little buggers. Next year I will have to fire up the greenhouse in February to do the same. Thanks for sharing your first hand experience!

Diana Kay:
Definitely cut the spindly onions back as was mentioned. I've been doing it for a number of years with good results. Another thing I read in OG is to fertilize the onions with fish emulsion or organic seaweed. This will help the onions produce larger bulbs. Be patient and you will notice a big difference in your cut back onions. Good Luck