Onion sets “Sturon”: is it possible to plant before winter and care features

Sturon onion was created using Dutch breeding technologies on the basis of the famous German variety Stuttgarter Riesen. The culture has won recognition throughout the world for its valuable qualities. Variety It is easy to care for, has strong immunity and high productivity. If optimal conditions are created, vegetables will retain their presentation and taste for eight months, which allows them to be grown in industrial quantities.

Description of the variety

The Dutch variety Sturon is easy to care for and has a long shelf life of the bulbs. Recommended for cultivation as a biennial or annual crop. It is grown from nigella or sets.

Reference! Nigella are the seeds of ordinary onions, from which you can grow full-fledged onions.

The culture is resistant to bolting. The height of the feathers is 40-45 cm, the color is bluish-green. The flower shoots left to produce nigella stretch up to 1.5 m. When opened, the inflorescence forms a white ball. The seed capsule contains up to six seeds.

Origin and development

This is a relatively young culture, but already widely known in many countries. The variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia in 2009.

It can be grown both for personal farming and on an industrial scale.

Chemical composition, vitamins, microelements and beneficial properties

The chemical composition of onions is extremely rich for a relatively small vegetable.

Macroelements per 100 g:

• calcium (30 mg);
• magnesium (15 mg);
• potassium (170 mg);
• phosphorus (56 mg).

Microelements per 100 g:

• iron (0.8 mg);
• zinc (0.8 mg);
• fluoride (30 mcg);
• boron (200 mcg);
• iodine (3 mcg);
• manganese (0.23 mg);
• chromium (2 mcg).

Protein content per 100 g – 1.5 g; fat – 0.2 g; carbohydrates - 8.2 g. The presence of vitamins such as vitamin C, a complete group of vitamins B, E and PP makes onions a biologically valuable product. It also contains phytoncides and polysaccharides.

Reference! Phytoncides are volatile substances that inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. To restore the human body’s defenses, it is enough to inhale onion vapor for 30 minutes.

Ripening period

The ripening period is average, the growing season lasts 110-120 days.

Productivity

Productivity depends on the composition of the soil and growing conditions. Average figures vary between 250-350 c/g or 2.5-3.4 per 1 sq. m. At the time of harvesting, the share of ripe vegetables reaches 70-75%. After ripening, ripeness is 100%.

Disease resistance

The culture is endowed with increased immunity to fungal and viral diseases. But with improper care, rot and downy mildew can occur. Excess moisture leads to disease. Frequent fertilizing also makes the crop vulnerable.

Reference! Applying fertilizers in large doses makes the emerging bulbs larger, but reduces the plant's immunity. Also, an excess of fertilizers reduces shelf life and nutritional value.

Characteristics of the bulb, taste and appearance

The bulbs are large, average weight from 180 to 220 g. The shape is slightly elongated, the neck of the bulb is thin. Onion scales are dense, yellow-brown in color.

The variety has a spicy and pronounced taste.It is great for preparing fresh salads, first and second courses, especially for frying.

This is interesting! The sugar content in an onion reaches 6% - this is more than in a pear. This is the reason why onions taste sweet after frying.

The photo shows the onion variety Sturon.

Suitable regions and climate

Despite the average ripening time, the culture has taken root in many regions. The Central and West Siberian regions are considered the most favorable in terms of climate and soil composition.

The plant is cold-resistant and can withstand minor frosts. The soil suits it is loose and fertile; light loam is considered ideal.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many gardeners note a number of advantages of the crop, especially its unusual taste, which perfectly complements any dish.

The advantages also include:

• ease of care;
• disease resistance;
• high productivity;
• planting in cold regions;
• marketable condition;
• long storage.

The disadvantages include a decrease in yield due to improper care. The soil composition also affects the yield volume: dense or poorly drained soil will reduce crop productivity.

What is the difference from other varieties

Long shelf life sets Sturon apart from other varieties. At a humidity of 70% and a room temperature of 2-3℃, the bulbs retain their taste and presentation for 7-8 months. The ability of onions to grow in almost any region of Russia is also appreciated.

Features of planting and growing

Most often, the variety is grown using the two-year method. To do this, Sturon onion seeds are first sown to obtain sets, and in the second year the sets are planted to obtain marketable bulbs.

When is the best time to plant greens?

You can plant Sturon onions on greens throughout the year. In winter, a greenhouse is suitable for this, and in warm weather it is planted in open beds. When planting with sowings, further care is reduced to a minimum. It is much more difficult to grow onion feathers from seeds. Seeds take longer to germinate and require more attention.

Is it possible to plant before winter?

Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to plant Sturon onions before winter. Yes, you can, this is a common practice.

Planting before winter is carried out at the end of September - beginning of October, depending on the region. The main thing is that there are at least three weeks left before the onset of frost. Winter onion sets Sturon for sowing choose the smallest ones, no more than 1 cm.

Soil requirements

For full development, the culture requires loose and nutritious soil. The soil is dug up twice, the first time in the fall with the addition of humus or chicken droppings. To further saturate the soil, wood ash is added. In addition, ash destroys many pathogenic microorganisms. During spring digging, before planting, chicken manure is also added to the beds. For lightness, washed river sand is added to the soil.

The beds are organized in a sunny area with deep groundwater. Lack of sunlight will negatively affect the formation of bulbs.

Preparation of seed material and planting dates

Nigella (seeds) are sown in late March - early April. Direct sowing into the ground is carried out only in the southern regions. In other cases, the crop is grown through seeding.

Before sowing, the seed material is germinated. The growth stimulator “Epin” is added to a glass of warm water and the seeds are placed in the prepared solution for a day. Then put it on a damp cloth and leave it for three days in a warm place.

Sow to a depth of 2 cm in well-warmed soil.. Leave 20-30 cm between rows.When planting densely, seedlings are thinned out so that the distance between seedlings is at least 10 cm.

Sturon onion sets are planted before winter and in spring. Spring sowing begins no earlier than mid-April or early May. 3-4 days before planting, the seedlings are heated near the radiator, so it will sprout faster. Immediately before sowing, the planting material is soaked for 30 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.

Landing is carried out in clear weather. The depth of the planting holes is no more than 4 cm, the distance between them is 15-20 cm. Place a little wood water at the bottom of the hole and fill it with water. After planting, do not water.

Reference! The signal to start sowing for all regions is the flowering of bird cherry. Bird cherry will not bloom in case of return frosts.

Features of cultivation

Caring for the crop is not difficult. The main thing is to create optimal conditions for full development, namely: drainage and air permeability of the soil.

Watering mode

In the first half of the growing season, the crop requires regular and abundant watering. But there is no need to create stagnation of moisture: this will lead to the formation of fungal diseases. In addition, the developing bulbs can rot. From July, water only when the top layer of soil is very dry, but frequent loosening is carried out.

Loosening the soil and weeding

For full development, onions need access to oxygen - for this, loosening is carried out. The soil is loosened to a depth of 3 cm, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the roots.

The beds are weeded so that weeds do not take away nutrients and interfere with the growth of seedlings. Weeds also retain pathogenic spores that are dangerous to the plant.

Feeding

The crop is fed twice during the entire period. The first feeding consists of potassium and calcium nitrate.One tablespoon of each drug is dissolved in 1 bucket of water. The plant is fed the second time as soon as 5-6 leaves are formed, using phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. It is not recommended to apply fresh manure.

Disease and pest control

Onion fly sucks the juice from the leaves, causing the plant to wither. The larvae of this pest are no less dangerous. To combat flies, salt and tobacco dust are used. The salt solution is prepared simply: dissolve 200 g of salt in 10 liters and carefully water each seedling. And tobacco dust is sprinkled between the rows; its pungent smell repels insects.

Downy mildew (downy mildew) affects the plant at all stages of development. Fungal disease leads to decreased yield and short shelf life of bulbs. Compliance crop rotation rules and the use of healthy seed material reduces the risk of developing the disease.

To prevent planting, spray with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. When the disease manifests itself, stop watering and spray the seedlings with a solution of copper sulfate.

Important. If you pick green feathers for food, keep in mind that pests and fungal spores penetrate into the resulting sections.

Harvest and storage

The harvest is harvested in the second half of July. Signal to gather yellowed feathers serve. Cleaning is carried out in the morning, in clear weather. The turnip dug out of the ground is left on the site until the evening.

Storage conditions

After drying, the onions are placed in a dry, well-ventilated room. Lay out in no more than one layer or tie into bundles for hanging. After the tops dry, they are cut off or braided. Long roots are trimmed carefully without damaging the bulb. The optimal temperature for long-term storage is 2-4℃.

Difficulties encountered during cultivation

When groundwater lies close to the surface, onions are grown on raised ridges. Otherwise there is a risk of them rotting.

If fertilizers were not applied during the autumn digging, then in the spring they saturate the soil with all components, using a full range of minerals. The soil especially needs nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

The best predecessors for onions are cucumbers, tomatoes, early cabbage and greens. After them, the land will retain its fertility and necessary nutrients.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Gardeners willingly share tips and observations that will help keep plants healthy and increase productivity.

1. If you plant carrots or dill next to onions, you don’t have to worry about the health of your seedlings. These plants will repel each other's pests.
2. There is no need to delay harvesting, as this leads to onion sprouting. As a result, ripe vegetables do not store well.

Reviews about culture

Reviews about Sturon are numerous and positive. Almost everyone who grows this crop is satisfied with the result:

Irina, Penza: «Last year I decided to plant winter onions Sturon. I planted a small amount in the greenhouse. Overall I was satisfied. The plant is unpretentious, caring for it is very simple. I watered it infrequently, but carried out preventive measures against fungal diseases. The culture turned out to have strong immunity and did not get sick. Now I will plant in the spring to get a marketable harvest.”

Lyudmila, Bryansk: “I’ve been growing it for more than one year. For planting I use only purchased seedlings. The culture is high-yielding and unpretentious. Onions are large and sweet, suitable for salads, first courses and side dishes, and for winter preparations.The culture is resistant to diseases and pests, but for preventive purposes it was treated twice with Fitosporin. I applied fertilizing only once, but the harvest was still great: I collected at least 2.5 kg per square meter.”

Conclusion

The numerous advantages of the Dutch onion Sturon have not gone unnoticed by gardeners. The crop is valued for its high yield of up to 320 c/ha, stable immunity to diseases and simple agricultural technology. The piquant taste of the vegetable complements the list of benefits and gives dishes a slight sweetness, harmoniously combined with moderate spiciness.