Multiplying onions
10 years ago
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- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
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Wanted: Allium cepa aggregatum-potato onions, multiplier onions
Comments (0)Wanted: Allium cepa aggregatum - potato onions aka multiplier onions, hill onions, pregnant onion. These are not shallots. There are at least three general varieties: yellow, white and red. I am looking for some of each. If you have some, please see my trade list. Happy trading!...See MoreNesting Onions or Multiplying Onions?
Comments (9)"Do you need to clip the tops of multiplying onions the same as regular onions?" I assume that you mean clipping the flower stalk... and that depends upon the onion. There are 3 main types of multiplier onions: - Walking onions, which form little to no ground bulb, are extremely winter hardy, and form small bulbs (topsets) at the end of their stalks, in place of flowers. - Perennial bulbing multipliers (such as shallots & potato onions) which divide at the base, and may form flower stalks. Both of these are Allium cepa, the same species as common bulbing onions. - Bunching onions, which are a different species (A. fistulosum) form no bulb, multiply at the base (to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon variety), and blossom in their second year. For any of these, clipping off the stalk as soon as it appears will stimulate better multiplication from the base, especially for the bunching onions. You might not want to clip the stalk for the walking onions, if you want the bulbils to increase the size of the patch, or to share with others. When I lived in San Diego, I was given a small nesting onion by a Hmong gardener, that multiplied very rapidly - splitting into up to 20 stalks. Looked like a bunching onion, but formed small bulbs. Left it behind when I moved, and haven't seen anything similar since.... wish I still had it here....See Moremultiplying onions
Comments (18)Probably the best commercial source for bunching onions from seed is Evergreen Seeds , they carry 9 varieties. My experience has been that the larger-stalked varieties (such as "Fuyuyo") tend to be less winter hardy, and multiply more slowly. The larger ones can reach close to 1" in diameter, and are best suited for milder climates... but while they can be grown as perennials, I note that quality deteriorates after the first year, unless they are moved or you let them reseed in place. Those with smaller stalks (such as "4 Seasons") are more winter hardy, and multiply quickly. In a 9-variety trial several years ago, 4 Seasons split at least 10-1 the following year, and quickly formed clumps. There are quite a few heirlooms (some topsetting/walking onions, some bunching) that will also multiply quickly. The bunching onions "Franz" and "Stevenson" have 1/2" stalks, are very winter hardy, and multiply quickly to form clumps... the best combinations of size, multiplication, and hardiness that I have seen. I will have seed for one of them in late summer... but the record was lost, so I don't know which of the two I'm still growing. :-( "Egyptian" and "Catawissa" are the standards for walking onions, exceptionally hardy, and forming large scallions in Spring & again in late Fall. You can't go wrong with those, they thrive on neglect, and a clump will last for years without care... and even spread, if you don't remove the top set bulbils. The top sets are occasionally offered commercially in the Fall, but the best source is another gardener, since both onions are widely grown. "Grandpa Achors" (a small topset onion) multiplies nearly as fast as chives (and is just larger), quickly forms large clumps, and will form small white onions if divided. "McCullar's" (another white topset) is larger (close to the size of supermarket scallions), multiplies 4-5 times from the base, and will form nice 1" white onions if divided & given space. Both are very winter hardy, and form topset bulbils in late summer....See MoreWANTED: Potato Onion/ Multiplier onion
Comments (0)I just learned about these guys today, and they sound wonderful. I couldn't figure out how far south they grew... will read more about them on the onion forum I guess. I live in Baton Rouge. I'll offer shipping, or any of my (very limited) supply of plants. My e-mail is cougiecat@yahoo.com Thanks a bunch!...See More- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
- 10 years ago
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