Red Onion Sets

Has anyone mastered the technique of growing red onions from sets without them running to seed early?

I grew red onion sets many years ago and had problems so stopped growing them Two years ago I tried autumn planted red onion sets (thinking the sellers may have got their act together by now) and actually got a decent crop off them.
This year I did the same and  the majority have bolted.

I don't think I am alone in this as other plot holders onions have suffered the same fate.

I tried red onions from seed but they are a bit of a faff on so have given up on these too. I do have red torpedo onions grown from seed but they are way behind where I think they should be growth wise.

Has anyone had any joy with the more expensive heat treated red onion sets and are they worth a go?

Red onions bolt for me too. Stopped growing them years ago for that reason.

My red baron cheap sets planted in spring have a few going to seed but so far only 3 or 4 in a 15ft row. Last year same cheap sets were fine. Must be the weather/stress.

Not growing them this year but last year they turned out ok. Cheapo ones from Wilko

Not growing them this year but last year they turned out ok. Cheapo ones from Wilko

Mine were fine last year as well but his year has been a nightmare.  The annoying thing is they have been in the ground since last October and only now decide to run to seed before the bulbs are mature!  Wasted growing space which could have housed summat, and still could if I can figure out the best vegetable to dot around the 'misses' in the rows.
Its coming up to the right time to sow Mooli so I may finish up with mooli dotted around the plot where the red onions were

I also gave up on red onion sets due to bolting, I have a much better success rate from seed.