I have spoken to some gardeners who have planted the walking onions. Supposed to be like scallions, but they get hotter tasting. All parts are edible, but the bulbil part stays small. Most people prefer the stalks and leaves, like scallions. They need *direction* or they will take over and even climb into planters, up walls, etc. They can spread 16’/year. They should be thinned and staked so when the top-heaviness causes them to fall to the ground to root, you have some control as to where. They will grow into thick tangles along with the local weeds and the older bulbils get tough and chewy, so should be picked immediately. They have both the top-set bulbils and underground bulbs, which are also small. If they are like other alliums, you will have no trouble finding them because they are strong scented. Actually, they sound a lot like ramps, which is an acquired taste, IMO.
Since we already are overrun w/the Sunchokes, I will rest easy knowing they are there.
The Egypt Walking Onions, taste different at different stages. The hotter ones are the ones that have been there longer - near the top. Their name is what they do - they walk. Mine should be here any day and they go in a planter and when they put out the part that falls over to make another onion, I’ll make sure it stays in the planter.
If they are planted in the ground and not in a planter, one would have to limit them and the best way to do that is to put them in a spot made just for them, not in a regular garden for them to take that over and the same is true for the white tubers.
People in McGee’s story have no food. The sunflower tubers/Egypt Walking Onions could keep these people alive, including our hero. If these were growing naturally where he was, he would have meals right there. He may be a macho man but he still has to eat. Six months of MRE type meals in his car won’t help him when he heads into the woods. He can hunt for game but he also has Zombies in the woods to watch for when he hunts.
I need to send McGee the link to the white tubers and Egypt Walking Onions. And, need to send him some Zombie targets (which I have) for him to practice his aim. Actually, we have talked about practicing aim and we both use the same “weapon” to practice.