By Seanmckenna
Donegal,
Ireland 
I asked a question earlier about onions. Can someone offer me advice on whether I can cut some of the scallions at the side of the plant, leaving the main centre shoots to continue to grow without damaging the growth of the onion under the ground. The green 'scallion' type heads have grown really well and I don't know if I have to leave them until they wither away or if I can use some of them and still allow onions to develop below ground level.
11 Jul, 2011
Answers
The purpose of the leaves of any plant, including onions, is to transform the energy of the sun into energy for growing the plant. Removing any leaves during growth will diminish what goes down into the onion bulb.
If you are so determined to eat some of the leaves I would suggest that you experiment by taking a few leaves off just some of the onions and not touching the others. See if there is any difference as I have never heard of anyone actually doing this before.
11 Jul, 2011
Thank you very much for your help.
11 Jul, 2011
Sean I have already answered this question for you twice! If you remove any of the top growth the will stunt the size of the onion bulb. Given the poor summer we are having the bulbs are not getting as big as they should anyway.
11 Jul, 2011