Early ripening onion variety "Alpha", which stores well

Alpha is one of the most popular varieties of early ripening onions. Brought out in England, it quickly attracted the attention of gardeners in many countries due to its high yield and resistance to diseases. Vegetables ripen quickly and are stored for a long time.

The article will tell you about the features of growing the variety and the conditions for obtaining a rich harvest.

Description of the variety

Alpha is an early crop: the crop ripens in just 40–60 days.

Attention! Small-growing vegetable, single- and two-germ: 1-2 bulbs are formed in 1 nest from 1 set.

Alpha was bred by English breeders, the originator is Allium Seeds Uk Ltd. The variety was included in the State Register of Russia in 2014.

Composition and beneficial properties

Nutritional value of vegetable (per 100 g):

• proteins - 1.4 g;
• fats - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 8.2 g;
• calorie content - 41 kcal;
• water - 86 g;
• dietary fiber - 3 g.

Vitamin composition of onions:

Basic macro- and microelements:

Phytoncides in the vegetable have a detrimental effect on tuberculosis and dysentery bacilli and destroy other pathogens.Onions have tonic, expectorant, antiseptic properties, strengthen the immune system, reduce blood pressure, improve blood composition, and activate metabolism.

Ripening period

It takes no more than 2 months for Alpha onions to ripen when standard agrotechnical practices are followed. On average, the harvest is harvested after 50 days.

Disease resistance

The variety has strong immunity to major crop diseases and is rarely attacked by pests. However, frequent watering, violation of crop rotation rules reduce the stability of onions.

Characteristics

Ripe bulbs have a round shape, a thin neck, and golden-yellow dry scales, which over time acquire a brownish tint. The pulp is white or yellowish. The taste is spicy. Vegetable weight: 90–120 g.

The marketable yield is high, 176–236 c/ha. The maximum result (393 c/ha) was obtained in the Belgorod region.

What regions is it suitable for?

Alpha is recommended for the Central Black Earth region, but due to its frost resistance it is suitable for areas with a temperate climate.

Main advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the variety:

• high productivity;
• duration of storage of vegetables;
• immunity to diseases and pests;
• frost resistance;
• early ripening.

Flaws:

• demands on soil;
• the need for regular fertilizing.

Unlike other varieties, Alpha ripens early, is resistant to various diseases with proper care, and produces consistently high yields.

Features of planting and growing

Although the cultivation of this variety is largely standard, it is important to observe some nuances.

Preparing for landing

For sowing, use only last year's nigella, otherwise germination will be low. Seeds, purchased in a store, do not require additional processing.

Choose a flat, well-lit area. The soil is first dug up, treated with herbicides, and furrows are made.

Important! Do not plant onions in lowlands: by absorbing excess moisture, they will significantly reduce their keeping quality.

Soil requirements

Alpha is more demanding on soil composition than most varieties. Prefers slightly alkaline soil. Too acidic soil is alkalized. Dolomite flour is used for liming. If the soil is depleted, organic fertilizers (10 kg/m2) are applied in the fall.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

In spring, onions are planted in the first or last days of May, when the soil warms up to +10°C. The layout is standard: row spacing is 30 cm, width between plants is 5–10 cm, planting depth is 3–5 cm.

Before winter, the crop is planted in mid-October according to a similar scheme.

Attention! Onions planted in late autumn, before frost sets in, do not sprout and are stored for a long time. When sowing in spring, the yield will be higher.

Features of cultivation

For proper development of onions, the soil must contain nitrogen. If it has not been fertilized since the fall, then in the spring, before sowing, add 30 ml of ammonia to a bucket of water, mix thoroughly and water the soil.

After planting, the beds are mulched and covered with film for better seed germination. When sprouts appear, the shelter is removed and the soil is sprinkled with sand to retain heat.

Nuances of care

Growing onions is standard: the beds are regularly watered, fertilized, weeded and loosened.

Watering mode

Alpha needs plenty of moisture during the growing season: 1-2 buckets of water at room temperature are poured onto each bed. Do this once every 2 days.In rainy weather, do not water the onions, otherwise the bulbs will rot. Irrigation is stopped before harvesting.

Loosening and weeding

To prevent the formation of the earth's crust and ensure access to oxygen, the soil is loosened every 2 weeks after germination. Along with loosening, weeding is carried out, since weeds grow faster than onions and take nutrients from them.

Feeding

2 weeks after the first shoots, the crop is fertilized with a mixture of minerals (40 superphosphate, 30 g ammonium nitrate, 20 g potassium chloride per 10 liters of water). For every 1 m2, 1-2 liters of product are used.

Summer residents often use herbal infusion: about 1 kg of cut grass is poured with a bucket of water, left for a week, diluted by half, and 1 tbsp is added. wood ash.

As an organic fertilizer, use a solution of chicken manure (1:20), which is infused for 10–14 days. After this, dilute it again with water 15–20 times and water the onion at the root.

Disease and pest control

If the care rules are not followed, onions are susceptible to diseases and pest attacks:

1. Onion flies. Insects are repelled by the smells of carrots, tomatoes, and parsley. Plantings are sprayed with infusions of tobacco dust, wormwood, and lemon balm. As a preventive measure, after harvesting the soil is carefully dug up and treated with saline solution before sowing.
2. Secretive proboscis. Leaves damaged by the beetle are removed. A mixture of tobacco dust and ash (1:2) is scattered between the rows. For prevention, they follow the rules of crop rotation, destroy plant residues, and dig the ground deeply.
3. Thrips. Insecticides are used against them, and sticky traps are placed between the beds. The row spacing is periodically weeded, and for the winter the soil is treated with Karbofos (0.15%).

Basic illnesses:

1. Downy mildew. For treatment, seedlings are treated with Oxychom; for prevention, seedlings are heated before planting.
2. Fusarium. To combat the disease, “HOM” is used. Planting material is treated with fungicides.
3. Gray rot. Limit the application of nitrogen fertilizers and increase the dose of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Harvest and storage

Ripe onions are identified by the yellowed feathers that lie on the ground and the characteristic color of the dry scales.

How and when to collect

The harvest is harvested in dry, clear weather before the first frost, around the end of September or mid-October. The bulbs are placed carefully and dried in the sun. If vegetables were planted before winter, they are dug up at the end of spring.

Storage features and keeping quality of the variety

Store the crop in a dark place with sufficient air circulation, low humidity and a temperature not lower than +10°C.

Important! Thoroughly dried onions are placed in nets or baskets. In plastic bags, oxygen will not reach the vegetables, which will lead to rotting of the fruit.

If the crop has been thoroughly dried and a suitable storage location has been chosen, then the onion will not lose its presentation and taste for 6–9 months.

Difficulties in growing

The main problems that vegetable growers face when cultivating Alpha onions:

• yellowing of leaves due to prolonged rains, prolonged drought, temperature changes;
• rotting of vegetables due to excess moisture or planting of infected seeds;
• change in feather color due to lack of nutrients.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Farmers' recommendations for obtaining a quality harvest:

• all the resulting arrows are broken off at the root;
• at the very beginning of the growing season, water the onions abundantly, gradually reducing the amount of water;
• Harvest the crop before prolonged rains so that it is well preserved.

Reviews

In general, farmers speak positively about the variety, noting its productivity and early ripening.

Svetlana, Omsk: “After living in the city for many years, my husband and I moved to the village. First of all, I planted onions on my plot, but the first experiment was not a success. I read rave reviews about the Alpha variety and its description. I was really pleased with the bow. It grows just fine and produces a rich harvest every year. I recommend!"

Raisa, Barnaul: “Since childhood, I’ve been used to working in the garden. I have a small plot of land where I mainly grow greens. I don’t put any special effort into growing it, and it doesn’t require much maintenance. Even our children readily eat fresh onions.”

Ekaterina, Moscow: “A neighbor recommended the Alpha onion, and I decided to try planting it at home. I didn’t expect a big harvest, but in vain: the vegetables grow quickly and are large in size. Now I plant only this variety.”

Conclusion

The Alpha onion variety appeared in Russia not so long ago, but has already become popular among gardeners. The harvest can be stored for 6–9 months, and planting vegetables does not require much time and effort. The culture is frost-resistant, ripens quickly and delights with a rich harvest of sharp bulbs.