Each bulb in the compound bulb produces 6 to 12 plants. Their principal use is the production of early green bunching onions.

The Egyptian onion produces clusters of small bulbs called bulbils at the top of the seed stalk in late summer. The bulbils are used to produce very early green onions. Both multiplier and Egyptian onions are planted in the fall, over wintered with some mulch protection, and brought into production in the early spring. Due to this method of culture, the onions are referred to as "winter onions".

Establishing the Planting: Onions should be planted early in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Onion seed is sown 1/2 inch deep, while sets are planted one to two inches deep. A three-inch plant spacing is desirable. Rows should be 12 to 18 inches or more apart depending on the method of cultivation. For wide row planting, plants or sets are placed on 3-inch centers. Onions are ideal for wide row planting, but keep in mind that weeding must then be done by hand.

Harvesting Onions: Harvest onions when the tops have fallen over and dried. On sunny, breezy days, onions may be pulled and left in the garden for a day or two to dry before they are taken to a curing area. Curing must take place for the onions to be stored for any length of time. Cure onions by placing them in a warm, well-ventilated area until the necks are thoroughly dry. With warm temperatures, good air circulation and low humidity, curing should be completed within two weeks after harvest. Onions are best stored in a cool moderately dry area in ventilated containers.

Climatic Requirements For Garden Onions: The onion is adapted to a wide range of temperatures and is frost-tolerant. Best production is obtained when cool temperatures (55 F to 75 degrees F) prevail over an extended period of time, permitting considerable foliage and root development before bulbing starts. After bulbing begins, high temperature and low relative humidity extending into the harvest and curing period are desirable. A constant supply of adequate moisture is necessary for best results. For onions started from plants, a light mulch will help conserve moisture for uniform growth.

HOME GARDENING WITH ONIONS

The onion is one of the most important vegetables grown and is very popular in home gardens. Onions commonly grown are the mild types, such as White or Yellow Sweet Spanish onion.

Onions can be used as green onions within 30 days if grown from plants or sets; or 40 to 50 days if grown from seed.

PLANTING & GROWING ONION

Soil and Fertilizer for Home gardening with Onions

There are, however, bunching varieties that produce a true bunching onion or scallion with either small or no bulbs. For dry onions from sets or plants, 100 or more days are required from planting, depending on the variety grown.

he potato or multiplier onion, and the Egyptian onion are grown from vegetative parts rather than seed. In the case of the multiplier or potato onion, the underground portion is a compound bulb formed from the segregation of a large mother bulb.