By Digitdeep
Lincolnshire,
United Kingdom 
hi, does anyone know why my onions which I planted for the last 2 years end up with a bulb on top of the stem when they get tall, and a very thick stem. I have planted again this year, but before they get to that state again should I be doing something if in fact there is anything to stop that happening. also my pear and apple trees were flowering beautifully until we started getting frost for a short spell last month at night. the fruit has turned black and the flowers didn't last as long as usual. was that the frost I would be grateful for any advise on these matters. thanks
no the onions have not flowered but last year it was like a ball on the top of the stem.
9 May, 2014
Answers
Hi, sounds like a flower bud to me, cut it off, I think you're right about the frost getting your fruit trees, Derek.
9 May, 2014
The onion flower does look like a ball. If you don't want the flower why not just cut it off and no harm done?
Yes it was the frost that damaged your blossom. Only three remedies I know of and none of them really practical. First one: cover the tree with fleece on a frost warning - useless if it's a big tree! I have heard that if you spray the tree with water it will freeze but apparently protects the blossom. Sounds unlikely but worth a try if you're going to lose it anyway. And the third thing is that some orchard owners used to light bonfires in the orchard if frost was expected at blossom time - possibly not such a glld idea of you tree is in the lawn!
9 May, 2014
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=262
9 May, 2014
thanks to everyone, I still don't know why some of the onions go that way and leave me without an onion under the soil though.
10 May, 2014
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Do you mean the onions have flowered?
9 May, 2014