Giant Kelsae Onion Seeds
The Giant Kelsae Onion is one of the most famous exhibition onion varieties ever bred and has remained a favourite on the show bench for over 70 years. Developed by Alfred Breed Senior at Mertoun Gardens, St Boswells in the Scottish Borders during the late 1940s, Kelsae quickly earned a reputation for producing enormous, perfectly shaped onions with outstanding skin quality and a wonderfully mild, sweet flavour. It remains one of only two officially recognised giant onion strains and continues to be the benchmark for large dressed onions in horticultural competitions.
The Kelsae has an impressive pedigree. After Alfred Breed Senior retired from maintaining the strain, it was passed to his son, Alfred Breed Junior, before later being entrusted to Sinclair McGill of Kelso. Despite a devastating fire that almost destroyed the entire seed stock, enough seed was rescued to preserve the variety. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, Kelsae dominated the exhibition scene, producing countless championship-winning onions grown by leading exhibitors across the UK. Today, Fosters Seeds continues to supply the original Kelsae stock, carefully grading every packet to 2.4 mm or larger to maximise seed vigour and produce strong, healthy seedlings capable of growing exceptional onions.
Although best known as an exhibition onion, Kelsae is equally rewarding for the home gardener. Under normal cultivation it produces large, globe-shaped onions with attractive golden skins and crisp, sweet flesh that is excellent for salads, roasting and everyday cooking. Under specialist exhibition techniques, however, the variety is capable of producing truly remarkable onions weighing over 6 kg (14 lb). Whether your aim is to compete on the show bench or simply grow some of the finest onions possible, Giant Kelsae offers unrivalled heritage, proven genetics and exceptional performance.
Sowing & Propagation
For exhibition onions, sow from late November to early December under supplementary lighting to maximise the growing season. For high-quality kitchen onions, sow from December to January.
Sow seeds approximately 5 to 10 mm deep into a quality seed compost and maintain a temperature of 18 to 21°C. Germination usually occurs within 10 to 14 days. Pot seedlings on progressively as they develop, maintaining strong light levels and steady growth throughout the winter. Plant outdoors only after the danger of frost has passed.
Growing On
Choose a deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil that has been enriched with generous amounts of well-rotted organic matter. Plant in a sunny, sheltered position where uninterrupted growth can be maintained throughout the season.
Water consistently and feed regularly using a balanced fertiliser before switching to a high-potash feed as bulbs develop. Exhibition growers often remove competing flower stems, maintain immaculate foliage and use carefully controlled feeding programmes to maximise bulb size. Kelsae responds exceptionally well to intensive cultivation and rewards careful management with outstanding exhibition-quality onions.
Harvesting
Harvest from late August through September, once the foliage naturally begins to yellow and fall over. Lift bulbs carefully to avoid damaging the skins and allow them to cure thoroughly in a dry, well-ventilated position before storing.
Exhibition onions should be handled with particular care to preserve their perfect globe shape and attractive skin finish. Under expert cultivation, Kelsae is capable of producing enormous exhibition specimens, while conventionally grown crops still provide excellent large onions with outstanding flavour.
Key Features
- Original Giant Kelsae strain
- Bred by Alfred Breed Senior
- Famous exhibition onion variety
- Produces perfectly globe-shaped onions
- Mild, sweet flavour
- Exceptional size potential
- Top-size graded seed (2.4 mm+)
- Approximately 60 seeds per packet
- Excellent for exhibition or kitchen use
- Genuine original stock supplied by Fosters Seeds
Giant Kelsae Onion remains one of the world’s finest exhibition onion varieties. Its remarkable history, proven championship pedigree and ability to produce beautifully shaped, sweet-flavoured giant onions make it an outstanding choice for serious exhibitors and enthusiastic home gardeners alike.
You may be interested in the Ailsae big onion seed which is also a great large-dressed onion variety
This is the original stock. 60 seeds
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