Home - Gardening - Facts & Info About the Onion Plant. Space, food, water and light are all essentials for an onion plant. Onion is a type of vegetable that belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. This rather curious plant is a South African native usually grown as a houseplant. If they plant seeds, they must later pull out most of the young plants so the rest can grow better. Modern varieties typically grow to a height of 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 in). Allium cepa is the common onion. However, the harvesting of onion bulbs depends on cultivar, planting season, market price, climate conditions, etc … They are onion bulbs. Besides high nutritional value, onion beneficially affects human health. 21. Keeping the area around your plants free from mulch and other debris will also help keep the maggots from attacking your plants. Onion plants are hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 20 o F. They should be set out 4 to 6 weeks prior to the date of the last average spring freeze. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Allium cepa CULTURE: Onion sets should be planted as soon as possible — ideally within one week of receiving them. Depending on the variety, they can besharp, spicy, tangy and pungent or mild and sweet. If you live above that line, choose a long day onion variety. Onion was used as strength-booster during the Olympic Games in Greece in the 1st century AD. Because onions are small and their tissues leave little or no trace, there is no conclusive opinion about the exact location and time of their birth. There are still roots beneath the soil, which are able to take up water and food. Avoid those that show sprouting or have signs of black mold (a kind of fungal attack) as they indicate that the stock is old. As your onion plant grows in the garden, fertilize it on a regular basis and give it at least an inch of water per week. Larger ones may produce stiff necks and go to seed too quickly. Although it is usually thought of as a vegetable, A. cepaalso has a long history of medicinal use. Onion, (Allium cepa), herbaceous biennial plant in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), grown for its edible bulb. Onions are low in nutrients but … You can also sidedress with fertilizer as the plants grow. They are also more resistant to diseases. 6 to 8 months after planting, bulb ceases production of new leaves. Usually, it’s a good idea to leave about six inches of space between the onions you plant in the garden. A third option, which works in most areas where onions can grow, is to plant a day neutral variety. Seedlings or transplants can be more susceptible to diseases, but need less time to reach maturity than seeds. This is faster, but the onions that grow this way are weaker than the onions that started as seeds. Onion can be rounded, egg-like or torpedo-shaped. Onions contain low amounts of essential nutrients and have an energy value of 166 kJ (40 kilocalories) in a 100 g (3.5 oz) amount. Nutrients from the leaves descend to the bulb, which becomes ready for the harvest. Outer … Shallot originates from Central Asia, but it can be found around the world today. Onions can be eaten in different ways: When you unearth onion bulbs, you aren’t killing the plant. This acid induces painful sensation and eyes produce tears to eliminate it. Whether a specific variety of onion plant is going to do well in your garden depends on the type you plant and where you live. Random Phone Number Generator; Random Toll Free Phone Number Generator; Random E164 Phone Number Generator Onion plants are field-grown, spring dug plants. Stronger insecticides are also available, but it’s important to use caution beofre using them. Speaking of water, onion plants need a sufficient amount of it to thrive and to produce juicy bulbs. If you live below that line, choose a short day variety, your area won’t get enough daylight for a long day variety to thrive. Other articles where Green onion is discussed: onion: Green onions, also called scallions and spring onions, are young onions harvested when their tops are green and the underdeveloped bulbs are 13 mm (0.5 inch) or less in diameter. They also show beneficial effects in treatment of cataract and cardiovascular diseases. Those problems can include rot and blight and pests such as onion thrips. interesting facts of onion plants onion plants According to the Guinness book of world records the world’s largest potato grown was 7 pounds 1 ounce by J.East (1953) and J.Busy (1982) of Great Britain. According to Old English folklore, if the skin of the onion is thick, it means that a harsh or severe winter is coming. When planting onion sets, plant them between 4 and 6 inches apart. Whether you’re new to growing onions in the garden or an old pro, at some point in time onion problems may become inevitable. When you obtain onion plants, they should be dry. A thin skin on the other hand denotes a mild winter. Onions are members of the lily fam… Plant onions in a sunny location with good drainage and always keep the soil moist. The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends fertilizing your onion plants with a nitrogen-based fertilizer as they grow, to encourage the development of a large bulb. You have three options for starting an onion plant in your garden. It has low caloric value and high content of dietary fibers. The fleshy bulb that grows below the ground is used medicinally as well as for food. Plants arrive as dormant starts — expect them to be dry and/or pale in color due to dormancy and shipping. (National Onion Association) Yellow onions make up more than 75% of the worlds production of onions. This is called 'thinning.' Interesting Onion Facts: Onion can reach 1 to 4.5 inches in diameter. Plant onions 1 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows. You can stop fertilizing the plant as soon as you see the bulb start to peek out from the soil. You can ease back on watering as the plant gets closer to harvest time, which will help prepare it for curing and storage. I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the site and hope that you can find what you’re looking for. If you do want bulbs, you’re going to have to wait. 20. These plants were inevitable part of burial rituals and tombs of most rulers are covered with pictures of onion. Onions contain flavonoids, unique compounds found in plants that also have health benefits. I’m Emily Steiner and I’m the head editor at ProperlyRooted. Many archaeologists, botanists, and food historians believe onions originated in central Asia. Average person consumes 13.7 pounds of onion annually. There are many varieties. 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