Onions are an integral part of German cuisine. If you like to cook, you always have a supply in the house. If onions suddenly germinate, you can plant them. We show how it works.

In a nutshell

  • Store onions (Allium cepa) in a cool, dry place
  • germination begins with heat and higher humidity
  • Germ has no influence on edibility
  • Planted in the garden, new bulbs emerge
  • Onions are weak consumers, no nitrogen fertilization required

Store onions properly

Onions are considered to be easy to store. They can be kept for up to six months. Anyone who grows onions in their own garden can supply themselves with the harvest throughout the winter. The right time for the harvest can be seen from the onion leek. The onion harvest can only begin when two-thirds of the leeks have dried up. Choose a dry, sunny day. If there is no rain in sight, the onions can be left on the bed to dry for a week.
Remove coarse dirt and trim the roots with a sharp knife.

About five onions are then tied together with twine and hung in an airy place.
Alternatively, lying down on a dry, absorbent surface is possible. Cut the onion leek to three centimeters.

Storage works best in a cool, dry and airy place.
Germinating onions are a result of storage conditions. When there is sufficient moisture and heat, germs form.

Plant germinating onions

You can use sprouting onions in meal preparation or simply plant them. After all, the plant with the germ has heralded the beginning of the new growth period. The best time for planting is in spring, when there is no longer any fear of night frost.

Manual:

  1. Prepare a bed in a sunny spot.
  2. Loose, humus-rich garden soil is preferred. A proportion of clay strengthens growth.
  3. Use the small shovel to dig holes 10 centimeters apart.
  4. Insert the germinating onions or onion sets individually into the holes.
  5. Pour water over the freshly planted onions.

maintenance

Onions are very undemanding. You hardly have to take care of them. Neither fertilizing the soil nor additional watering is required. Waterlogging is a danger for the tubers, which easily begin to rot.
If the soil is very dry in the summer, superficial hoeing is worth it. Deep chopping should be avoided by Spe, as this will disrupt the growth of the tubers.

pests and diseases

Onion plants are often attacked by downy onion mildew (Peronospora destructor) in damp weather. It is recommended not to grow onions in the same place for several years to reduce the effectiveness of the fungal spores. A sufficient distance between the plants makes it easier for the leeks to dry off after rainfall. This can reduce the risk of downy mildew infection.

The most dangerous onion pest is the onion fly (Delia antiqua). Their larvae eat their way through the tubers. Dense nets, with which you cover the plants, help to prevent the onion fly from laying eggs. A layer of mulch made from shredded ferns and herbs such as sage and mint is recommended.

maggots of the onion fly; Source: Rasbak at Dutch Wikipedia, Uienvlieg maden, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

To protect against the fly, you can prepare a tea of tansy or wormwood and spray the bulbous plants with it. Nettle manure, which you pour on the beds, also drives away the vermin.

Tip: To protect against pests, plant carrots between the bulbous plants.

frequently asked Questions

Are there differences between the onion and the shallot?

Shallots and onions are closely related. Shallots have a milder taste. Due to their pleasant, noble aroma, they are often preferred to onions.
Shallots are smaller. The shallot skin can vary in color. Red, green-violet, yellow or gray shallots are known.

Can germinating onions still be eaten?

The germ does not change the edibility of the onion. You can process them as usual. If the germinating onion sits longer, the bulb will become soft and cannot be fried as well.

How do you use onions that are in bloom?

In modern onion breeds, the willingness to bloom has been reduced. Nevertheless, bulbous plants may bloom. Remove the bloom as soon as you notice it. The flower draws the power from the tuber. You can harvest the plant right away, because as soon as it flowers, the tuber will no longer get any bigger. Onion flowers are edible. They are excellent for salads. We recommend not consuming all of the flowers. Onion sets can be obtained from the seeds.

Category:

Vegetable garden