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05 Jan 16 Jelenka (Australia - temperate climate)

I grew my first shallots and harvesting now. Some of the green stems on each plant have really swollen in one area the green stem, making me think as first time shallot grower that something is inside, but no, there is nothing there. Why have they swollen like that, they are healthy and delicious, the bulb. To add, on only one plant out of several there is a trio of small baby round bulbs on the end of one green stem. What are they and are they potential plants to be planted when it gets cooler?. Its mid January and not all the plant stems have dried and gone brown. I have eaten some or should I keep growing to get them bigger? I don't really want to lose the opportunity keep growing my own shallots. thanks for any tips and advice.

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06 Jan 16 Prometheus (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Jelenka, I am also a first-time grower and hence not an expert... I would say though that what you have is either simply a natural genetic mutation or duplication - sort of like how you will sometimes find the embryo of a baby capsicum inside a larger one. I have no idea whether it could be replanted successfully but I would suggest using the biggest / healthiest bulbs for that task. There is no problem with eating them when they are young, but if you wait until 3/4 of the tops have dried and fallen over you will get huge bulbs in optimal conditions. You can also use the tops as spring onions - they are excellent!

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