Ailsae Big Onion
The Ailsae onion, bred in 1986 by Keith Foster, the Head Gardener to Lord Zetland in Richmond, North Yorkshire, is a legendary variety in the world of giant onions.
A cross between the renowned Kelsae onion and a top-performing Ailsa Craig selection, the Ailsae was carefully cultivated from a limited batch. Only 12 flowers were permitted on the mother bulb, which was kept in a specially isolated area to ensure the highest quality seeds.
When these seeds were sown in December 1987, they produced exceptional results. By September 1988, one of the onions had reached a staggering 9 lbs 3 oz—quite large for the time, although not as big by today's standards. It went on to break the world record.
The Ailsae variety was reselected for several years and achieved another world record in 1995 with an onion weighing 15 lbs 15.5 oz. From 1994 to 1998, it was trialled in both the UK and the Netherlands by relevant authorities, eventually earning a place on the Official National List of Vegetable Varieties on March 27, 1998.
Not only has the Ailsae onion set multiple world records, but it is also one of the only two officially registered giant onion strains, alongside the Kelsae. Today, the Ailsae remains a benchmark in the world of giant onions, with numerous records to its name.
We supply 60 Ailsae onion seeds, usually more, Graded 2.4mm or above to produce a high (TSW) Thousand – Seed Weight for a strong germinated seedling. The Ailsae big onion belongs to and is maintained by Fosters Seeds.