High-yielding onion variety with amazing taste “Parade”

Most often, onions are grown in Russia, but not much attention is paid to the onion. The only exceptions are a few popular varieties, one of which is Parade. Its juicy greens have a semi-sharp flavor and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this onion, what characteristics does it boast and how to grow it - read below.

Description of the Parade variety

Parade onions do not form bulbs and are grown only for greens, which are ideal for preparing salads and as an addition to soups, okroshkas, marinades, fish or poultry dishes.

The Parade variety was bred by Dutch breeders from BEJO ZADEN B.V. It was added to the State Register of Russia in 2000.

Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins, beneficial properties

The Parade variety contains:

• vegetable protein, carbohydrates, fats;
• vitamins A, C, E, K, PP, group B;
• amino acids;
• micro- and macroelements: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, selenium, iron, manganese.

Use This onion has a beneficial effect on metabolism and heart function, helps eliminate toxins and prevent atherosclerosis. Also onion strengthens the immune system and supports kidney health.

Ripening time and yield

Parade is a mid-early variety; about 60 days pass from planting to harvest.

This onion is characterized by high yield - up to 4.2 kg per 1 sq. m.

Disease resistance

The Parade variety is resistant to diseases, affecting bulbous crops.

Characteristics of the bulb, description of appearance, taste

Onion Parade is a tall plant, reaching 60 cm in height, with a powerful, erect rosette of leaves. Each plant weighs about 50-60 g.

The false stem (white part) is short, bulbs are not formed, the leaves are cylindrical, grow at the base, green with a blue tint, covered with a thin layer of waxy coating.

The feathers are juicy, tender, have a pleasant semi-sharp taste and a light garlic aroma.

Reference. The Parade variety does not have any special climate requirements and is successfully cultivated in all regions of the country.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Parade variety

Advantages of the variety:

• high productivity;
• frost resistance;
• possibility of growing in open ground and greenhouses;
• long growing season;
• high content of vitamins and minerals.

There are no downsides to this onion, you just need to understand that it does not form bulbs.

Difference from other varieties

A comparison with Parade and other varieties of onions is presented in the table:

Features of planting and growing

The peculiarity of the Parade variety is that it can be grown in open ground and greenhouses, by seedlings and without seedlings. Depending on the chosen method, the onion requirements for planting times and rules vary. The seedling method is more often used in the northern regions.

Preparing for landing

When planting onions directly in open ground, pre-treatment of the planting material is not required. When sowing seeds for seedlings, they are soaked for a day in a solution of a growth stimulant, for example, "Epin", for speedy germination.

The beds, including those in the greenhouse, are dug deep in the fall and up to 10 kg of organic fertilizers, as well as phosphorus and potassium, are added to the soil. In the spring, before landing, the soil is enriched with nitrogen (30-40 g per 1 sq. m).

When growing seedlings in boxes, the soil is first disinfected - spilled with a 2% manganese solution and covered with a dark film. After a week, the film is removed, the soil is fertilized with potassium chloride (15 g) and superphosphate (20 g) per 1 square meter. m of boxes put together.

Soil requirements

The variety grows well and produces a bountiful harvest in any soil. However, he still prefers light, organic-rich soil with good moisture and air permeability and an acidity level of pH 6-7.

Predecessors

It is best to plant Parade onions after cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes or legumes.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

When growing onions without seedlings in open ground, seeds are sown in early May.

Planting pattern:

1. Dig up the bed, adding nitrogen fertilizers to the ground (40 g per 1 sq. m).
2. Level the soil and make grooves maximum 1.5 cm deep at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other.
3. Sprinkle them with sand or chalk and sow seeds every 5 cm.
4. Sprinkle the seeds with soil, water a little and cover the beds with a non-woven cloth, which is removed after the seeds germinate.

When planting onions for seedlings, pre-soaked seeds are sown in early or mid-March, following the following scheme:

1. Prepare wooden or plastic boxes measuring 60 cm by 40 cm with nutrient soil.
2. Make grooves 1 cm deep in it, the distance between which should be 5 cm.
3. Spray them with warm water.
4. Sow the seeds in the grooves, deepening them to a maximum of 1 cm, cover with soil and spray with water again.
5. Cover the boxes with seeds with polyethylene and put them in a bright place at a temperature of +18...+25°C.
6. After emergence, remove the film and move the boxes to a cooler place at a temperature of maximum +16°C.

Crops must be regularly watered and fed once every 10-14 days with organic and mineral fertilizers. At the end of May, when the frosts have completely subsided, the seedlings are transplanted into the beds.

Features of cultivation

To achieve the highest possible yield, onions should be planted in well-lit areas protected from the wind.

In the greenhouse, the air temperature before germination should be no lower than +22°C during the day and approximately +18...+20°C at night. When sprouts appear, the temperature is reduced to +12...+15°C for a week, and then maintained at +20°C.

The lighting inside the greenhouse can be varied at first, but after a few weeks of sprouting, the onions need to be lit around the clock, otherwise the greens will be too thin and pale.

Caring for onions involves watering, weeding, loosening and fertilizing. It is important to note that there are some differences in the care of plantings depending on the place of cultivation.

Watering mode

Parade has small roots, so watering is especially important for it. The soil is moistened approximately once a week, making sure that the soil does not dry out more than 3-5 cm in depth.

Loosening the soil and weeding

Weeds take nutrients from the soil, which negatively affects the growth and development of onions. Therefore, the beds are regularly weeded to get rid of weeds.Weed growth can be prevented by mulching the rows with straw, sawdust or agrofibre.

Also, the soil is loosened 1-2 days after watering - this helps improve oxygen access to the roots.

Top dressing

Onions grown in open ground are fed for the first time when consistently warm weather sets in. Plants are watered with an infusion of weeds and other herbs, previously soaked for 2-3 days in 10 liters of warm water.

When 3-5 feathers appear on the sprouts, the soil is fertilized with potassium and phosphorus: 1 tbsp is dissolved in 10 liters of water. l. fertilizers and spill the soil with the resulting solution. The same feeding is required when the plants have 8 leaves.

Important! Feed the plants in the morning in dry weather, making sure that the fertilizer does not get on the feathers.

In the greenhouse, fertilizing is applied as needed. If the feathers turn pale and begin to thin, the plants are watered with urea or “Crystallon” (15 g each) diluted in 10 liters of water.

Disease and pest control

The variety has good immunity and, subject to the rules of agricultural technology and crop rotation, is practically not affected pests and diseases. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing downy mildew, Alternaria, gray mold and attacks by onion flies and mites.

At the first signs of damage to the plantings, they are treated with fungicides and insecticides.

Important! Onion feathers can be eaten at least three weeks after treatment with chemicals.

Difficulties in growing

During the process of growing Parade, some problems may arise:

1. Onions go into hibernation when the air temperature rises to +27°C. To stimulate growth, it must be watered with cool water.
2. Drying of the green part and generally poor development of plants with insufficient watering.
3. Damage by insect pests when onions grow nearby.

Harvest and storage

Parade is an onion variety that can be harvested several times per season, and when grown in heated greenhouses, throughout the year.

How and when to collect

The first harvest is harvested in mid-summer, by pulling the onion out of the ground by the roots or cutting off the feathers. You can cut onions 3-4 times per season with an interval of approximately 38-50 days.

Storage features and keeping quality of the variety

The cut greens are wrapped in cling film, with small holes made in it for ventilation, and stored in the refrigerator. In such conditions, the onion retains its quality for a month.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Farmers' recommendations for growing Parade:

1. Water your onions regularly. This variety can tolerate short-term drought, but it is better to avoid this.
2. Burn all plants affected by diseases or pests away from the site.
3. Before planting seeds, pour boiling water over the soil. This helps get rid of some fungi and pests.
4. Water the plants in the morning, not in the evening, otherwise they will not have time to dry out, and the accumulation of moisture will lead to the growth of bacteria.
5. Do not plant onions nearby. He is often attacked by onion flies, which can switch on Parade.

Reviews about the onion variety Parade

Most gardeners are satisfied with growing Parade onions, which is confirmed by their positive reviews of this variety.

Pavel, Tver: «I grow onions not only for myself, but also for sale, so I choose varieties especially carefully and scrupulously.I am completely satisfied with the parade: the harvest is large, you can cut the greens 3 times per season, the feathers are juicy and beautiful.”

Valentina, Belgorod region: “In our family, everyone loves feathers more than bulbs, so we almost never plant onions. Among the varieties grown for greenery, we chose Parade, because it combines all the main advantages - pleasant taste, quick germination and abundant harvest. Our plot is small, but one bed of these onions is enough to always have fresh herbs on the table.”

Conclusion

Parade is a mid-season onion variety successfully cultivated in all regions of Russia. Breeders managed to secure in it resistance to bolting, diseases and pests, which, combined with other positive characteristics, such as ease of care and pleasant taste, made it one of the most popular onion varieties.