Modern varieties of onion sets
The varieties of onion sets are very diverse. They can differ in taste, shape, color, ripening time. When choosing a particular variety, you need to take into account the region of residence. Some species are more suitable for the south, while others grow well in the north or in temperate climates. If you are going to grow onions for the winter, see how well they keep.
Varieties of onion sets
Characteristics and classification of varieties
There is no single classification of onion sets. They are divided among themselves according to many characteristics. To choose the type that suits you, you should take into account several features.
Ripening terms
For many, the characteristics of the ripening time is perhaps the most important. Onion sets are one of the first crops to be planted in the garden. Onion greens once saved people from vitamin deficiency in the spring, now greens are becoming a tasty and healthy addition to salads, when fresh vegetables and fruits are still scarce. On this basis, onion sets are divided into:
- Early maturing or early maturing - the growing season is 90 days.
- Mid-season - growing season up to 110 days.
- Late ripening - growing season up to 120 days.
Early varieties of onions are suitable for greening, but they are poorly stored in winter. Late ones give a large turnip, they can be stored all winter, but in cold regions there is a risk of freezing the crop.
Taste qualities
Onion taste is no less important characteristic than ripening time. Some varieties are suitable for ready-made meals, others are used in salads. Also, each person has their own preferences. By taste, onion varieties are divided into:
- Sharp. Most of them ripen early, store well, have a tough skin, and contain a large percentage of essential oils. Their yield is low.
- Semi-sharp. They differ in average yield, but less keeping quality. The pulp is juicy, easily damaged when cleaning with equipment, therefore it is better to dig them out by hand.
- Sweet. They have a delicate taste, are suitable for making salads, and are grown more often in the southern regions.
Feather branching and number of bulbs
Different varieties may have a different number of leaves and turnips in one nest. On this basis, they are divided into:
- Small-nested - form one, maximum - two heads in one nest.
- Middle-nesting - 3-4 turnips can be formed in one hole.
- Multi-nested - from one head can form from several pieces to several tens of bulbs.
The more turnips are formed in the nest, the more luxuriant the crown and more greenery can be obtained from one plant.
Bulb size
The size of the heads is a very important characteristic that directly affects the yield. True, there are varieties that give many bulbs in one hole, which makes the mass of production satisfactory. By size, onion varieties are divided into:
- Small - turnips up to 50 g.
- Mediocre - the mass of turnips is 50-120 g.
- Large - the weight of the heads is more than 120 g.
Growing methods
There are differences between onion varieties and in terms of growing methods:
- Universal perennial, planting with seeds and sevk is possible.
- Annual varieties that are planted with bulbs and seeds.
- Annual varieties that can only grow from seeds or seedlings.
Regional features
Onions are grown in different climatic zones. According to regional characteristics, the varieties are divided into:
- Southern varieties of onion sets for the Kuban, the Caucasus, Stavropol, southern Ukraine, Moldova. Mostly they are red or purple, sweet or semi-sharp. Drought tolerant.
- Northern varieties of onion sets for the Moscow region, Belarus, Siberia, the Urals and other regions. Semi-sharp or sharp, purple or white, frost-resistant.
A separate group includes white salad onions. It is sweet and suitable for raw consumption, but the bulbs do not store well and quickly rot.
Below are the best varieties of homemade onion sets, their description and brief characteristics. You can take a closer look at how each of them looks like in the photo.
Strigunovsky local
An old Russian variety that still has not lost its popularity. Strigunovsky local onion is very spicy in taste, small-breasted (forms 1-4 onions in a hole). Its scales are dense, therefore they are well stored, the color of the scales is golden. The shape of the bulb is round, the flesh is plump, white, although the neck is sometimes colored purple. Here are the main characteristics of the variety:
- Ripens early.
- Bulb weight - 45-85 g.
- The yield is high, from 1.2 to 3.3 kg per meter of the garden.
- It can be safely stored until spring.
- Ripens from 49% to 97% of the bulbs, depending on the weather.
It is permissible to grow the variety both for turnip and early greens. An excellent yield is obtained after sowing with seeds and planting seedlings. It can be bred both in the southern warm and cold areas. In the south, you can get an average turnip in one season. In the north, it is grown mainly as a two-year-old.
Golden Semko
Onions of this variety are obtained as a result of hybrid selection. For breeding, they crossed Balakleisky, Valencia onions, Golden Ball, Krasnodarsky G-35, Nosovsky No. 138, as well as Pavlogradsky. The result is a delicious medium-ripening onion. 1-4 heads are formed in one socket. They are rounded flat in shape, oval specimens are rarely found.
Semko's golden onion got its name from the color of its scales. The flesh of the onions is white, sometimes green veins are found. The onion has a spicy taste. Here is a description of the main qualities of the variety:
- Ripening periods are average.
- Sockets of 1-4 heads.
- Bulb weight - 51-130 g.
- Productivity - 2.1-2.6 kg per meter of the garden.
- Stored almost until the next harvest.
The golden variety is suitable for cultivation in southern regions and in temperate climates, as it matures for a long time. In the south, a good harvest is obtained from it both when grown by seeds and when planting seedlings. In temperate and northern regions, it is better to take sevok for planting.
Exhibition
The homeland of this bow is Holland. Differs in sweet taste, like numerous European varieties. Ripening periods are medium late. The bulbs are large, oval in shape, with plump flesh. The shade of the scales is yellow, the pulp is white. Here is a brief description of the variety:
- The growing season is 115-120 days.
- Bulb weight - not less than 80 g, sometimes 150-200 g (with good weather and care).
- The taste is sweet.
- High resistance to various diseases.
- 1-3 heads are formed in one socket.
In one season, the Dutch onion Exhibition grows to a large size. It is grown only from seeds. Sevok or seedlings are not suitable for this crop. Possesses good adaptability, can easily grow in the Moscow region and northern regions. The disadvantage of this variety is its short shelf life. The high sugar content of the pulp stimulates the decay process.
Aleko
A purple variety with a spicy, pungent taste and medium ripening. It is used for salads and ready-made dishes, often decorates culinary masterpieces with rings.The bulbs are round and flat, resembling plates. The color of the scales is dark purple, the flesh is white with a purple tint. The heads are beautiful in appearance, so they sell well. The variety is grown for feather and turnip. Here is a description of the qualities of the Aleko bow:
- The growing season is 90-100 days.
- The number of bulbs in the nest is 2-4.
- Bulb weight - 90-105 g.
- The taste is spicy and full-bodied.
Onions grow well in both the north and south. For breeding, both seedlings and seeds are grown. If sowing early, even in cool climates, full heads can be obtained by the end of the season. The disadvantage of the Aleko variety is its sensitivity to various diseases.
Timiryazevsky
Onions with a spicy or semi-sharp taste were created on the basis of the Rostov onion. Onion ripens early. Differs in high productivity. Its head is round and flattened, covered with golden scales. The pulp is plump, white. Here are the main qualities of the Timiryazevsky onion set:
- Vegetation lasts 85-95 days.
- There are 2-3 primordia in the nest.
- Head weight - 50-70 g.
- Ripens about 100% of the turnips if the weather is right.
- The onion lasts for a long time, about 95% of the heads remain until spring.
- The taste is spicy.
The cultivation of this variety is most often carried out in Siberia, the Volga region, and the Urals. It produces a thick, juicy green feather and medium-sized bulbs. Only sevok is suitable for breeding. Only small bulbs can be obtained from seeds for planting next year. The seeds are best grown in greenhouses.
Chalcedony
This variety of white onion sets has medium ripening times. Chalcedony has a high yield. Bulbs are round or oval, large. The scales are yellow-brown or golden, the flesh is white, juicy. It is well stored in winter, less than 1% of the heads rots.
Here is a description of the quality of the variety:
- Vegetation lasts 95-115 days.
- Productivity - up to 4 kg per meter of the garden.
- There are 1-3 bulbs in the nest.
- The mass of a turnip is 85-100 g, the giants reach a weight of 300-400 g.
- The taste is spicy or semi-sharp.
Most often, Chalcedony is grown in the southern regions for feathers and turnips, but greens and heads can be obtained in the northern regions. The vegetable is propagated by sevkom and seeds. Possesses high resistance to downy mildew, slightly less - to cervical rot.
Shakespeare
Winter variety of onion sets with early ripening. Shakespeare has rounded bulbs covered with golden scales. Their shape is round, but not flat. The husk is very dense, therefore it is perfectly stored in winter, it can even withstand freezing down to -18 ° C, it is poorly shooted. The pulp of podzimny onion is juicy, dense, white. Here is a description of its main characteristics:
- Vegetation - 75-85 days.
- Heads weight - 100 g and more.
- The number of heads in the socket is 1-3 pieces.
- Onion taste is semi-sharp.
Onions are resistant to many diseases. Due to its increased frost resistance and early ripening, it is recommended for cultivation in the northern regions. Most often, the variety is planted for the winter. Then in spring a fresh, juicy feather grows quickly, and by the beginning of August - large bulbs. You can sow seeds both in the autumn and in the spring.
Red Carmen
The Red Carmen onion set is another relatively new product of Dutch breeding. The onion ripens quickly, its bulbs are purple or red, both scales and pulp. The shape of the heads is flat-round, the size is medium. Gives good yields, is grown for fresh greens and for winter turnip. Most often, this onion is used for cooking salads, less often for frying. Here are the main qualities of the Red Carmen variety:
- The growing season is 75-85 days (the feather turns completely yellow 100 days after planting).
- The number of bulbs in the nest is 1-3.
- Bulbs weight - 60-80 g, sometimes up to 120 g.
- Feather 30-35 cm high.
- Productivity - 1.5-2.5 kg from the garden.
- The taste is semi-sharp.
Red Red Carmen is grown in both northern and southern regions. It is quite picky about soil and watering, so the beds should be well fertilized before planting.You cannot plant this onion twice in the same place, after garlic, carrots, beets or corn. The variety is quite resistant to diseases and various agricultural pests. Keeps perfectly in winter.
Troy
To create a new Troy F1 look, the Dutch crossed the best varieties of onion sets. As a result, he significantly surpassed his parents in qualities. It is fruitful, with early ripening, all bulbs are the same size and ripen at the same time. It is able to bear fruit even in not very favorable conditions, but with good care and feeding, its yield is higher. Troy is resistant to many diseases and is rarely affected by pests. Unfortunately, all these qualities are preserved only in the first generation, so onions can only be grown with purchased seeds.
The main characteristics of the Troy onion set:
- Vegetation - 65-75 days.
- Bulbs are round or flat-round.
- Heads weight - 90 g and more.
- 1-2 turnips ripen in one nest.
- The feather is 20-45 cm high, branches intensively (a distinctive feature of the variety).
- Productivity - 5 kg / m².
- The taste is half-spicy, with moderate harshness.
Troy onions are well stored in winter, they have dense scales, the pulp contains a large percentage of dry matter. This variety can be grown in any climatic conditions. The correct selection of fertilizers and planting sites can significantly increase yields. Large bulbs and a lot of greenery grow from seeds in one season. Unfortunately, the seed of the Troy variety is quite expensive, and the quality of the crop grown from the seed the next year drops significantly.
Corrado
New hybrid onion sets have the highest yields. These include the Corrado F1. It has large, round-flat heads with plump golden or brown scales. The pulp is juicy, white in color. It does not ripen very early. Here are the main characteristics of this variety:
- The vegetation period is 100-105 days, with good weather conditions - 85-95 days.
- Head weight - 100-120 g.
- Feather height - 30 cm.
- Productivity - up to 8 kg per meter of bed, consistently high.
- The taste is semi-sharp, closer to sweet, without bitterness.
It is better to grow onions in the south or in the temperate zone, it has a weak winter hardiness. For breeding, it is best to buy seeds, since varietal qualities are lost in subsequent generations. Use onions for salads, various dressings.
Stuttgarter Riesen
The German onion variety Stuttgarter Riesen is bred on an industrial scale, but it is also suitable for a small family business or for growing on a personal plot exclusively for yourself. It has large, round and flattened bulbs. The scales are yellow-brown, with light stripes visible on them. Sometimes the husk can be completely white. The pulp is dense and juicy, white in color. Here are the main characteristics of the Stuttgarter Riesen variety:
- Vegetation is average, 95 days.
- The yield is high, about 3 kg per meter of the garden.
- Bulb weight - 120-150 g (sometimes 250 g).
- There are 1-3 onions in the nest
- The taste is semi-sharp.
It is possible to grow Stuttgarter Riesen in any region, but it gives the best harvest in the south. It is bred as an annual seed variety. Sevok is used much less often, mainly in the north. In the second year, the onion loses many of its varietal qualities. The variety is well stored in winter, it can even be frozen. It is resistant to diseases and pests.