Seeds available again after freak weather
Showbench onion exhibitors and lovers of monster veg… great news – everyone’s favourite champion onion The Kelsae is back on sale in seed form.
Years after supplier DT Brown’s mother stock was almost destroyed by a heavy hailstorm, there is limited seed availability. Since then, some plants have been offered in limited numbers. However, this is the first time in years that the seed has been available in big enough quantities to sell.
After the storm, DT Brown began the process of rebuilding The Kelsae’s mother stock. This took place in secret locations in Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Holland, and Italy. More recently, DT Brown has been working with a UK-based grower.
The process has been difficult, as The Kelsae’s germination rate can be variable. However, the seedsman’s lab has logged germination rates of more than 90 per cent – much better than usual.
The Kelsae – Great taste and size
The Kelsae produces well-formed, globe-shaped onions with a red tint to the skin. It’s also unusual in the exhibition world as it has a good, sweet flavour – no tasteless, watery mush here.
The Kelsae has a legendary reputation in the world of show vegetables. A regular winner at the National Vegetable Society’s national championships at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show in the ‘large exhibition’ and ‘1kg to 1.5kg’ onion classes.
For more on growing onions from seed or set and what is best for your garden and level of experience, click here. A packet of 120 seeds of The Kelsae costs £4.69.
To order, or for a copy of the Fruit and Vegetables Grower’s Seed and Plant Catalogue, write to DT Brown, Bury Road, Newmarket, CB8 7PQ, telephone 0845 371 05 32, or go online at www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk.
