Onions - The Manual of Seed Saving - page 169

Shallots are the best-known multiplier onions. There are others (sometimes known as potato onions,
which have larger bulbs and no peel that holds the whole bunch together), but these are rarely propag-
ated by seed.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 20 handsome shallots
• overwintering strategy
POLLINATION NOTES Shallots rarely flower and produce seed even less often. They have a very low
tendency to bolt, making them ideal for growing in the tropics.
PROPAGATION Shallots are propagated vegetatively. They are hardy to zone 3 and can be planted
from early to late autumn or in late winter to early spring about 2 in. (5 cm) deep in 10-12 in. (25-30
cm) rows at 4-8 in. (10-20 cm) spacing. Stalks will grow to be about 8 in. (20 cm) tall and are hollow.
By summer, five to seven new shallots will have grown. Long days and high temperatures encourage
bulb development. Plants do not handle competition well; keep the soil loose and free of weeds.
HARVEST Harvest shallots as soon as leaves have wilted, usually in midsummer. Store as for onions.
SELECTION CHARACTERISTICS
• good “family” development, healthy and vigorous growth in first year
• uniform, true-to-type shape (finger-shaped, pear-shaped, top-heavy round, round)
• high-quality, sturdy scales with no tears
• true-to-type scale color (white/yellow to white/reddish violet)
• drought tolerance
• flavor
Individual shallots multiply to form a new shallot “family.”
• synchronous and complete ripening