Features of cultivation and beneficial properties of red onions

Red onions will decorate any dish and serve as a prophylactic against vitamin deficiency, colds and many other diseases. It actively stimulates digestion, has antiseptic, tonic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Growing a crop and caring for it does not require much time and effort. However, it is important to know the important features of cultivating red onions.

Description of the species

Red onion is a type of onion. Its main characteristics are the unusual color of the husk and a sweeter taste than regular onions. The flesh remains white.

The turnips are small in size, soft, taste juicy and tender. There is no characteristic bitterness. Depending on the variety, the vegetable can be sweeter or less.

Motherland red onion - Middle Asia. Later, employees of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in Crimea made a great contribution to the emergence of new varieties with excellent taste characteristics.

Varieties

Most plants are found in the middle climate zone.

They are divided into the following groups:

• sweet - suitable for eating even for children (from an adequate age);
• semi-sharp;
• spicy - have the sharpest taste.

Consider the popular varieties of red onions with description and photo.

Crimson Ball

Early maturing crop: the harvest is harvested 80–95 days after sowing. Dark purple vegetables with a regular round shape are formed in 1 season.

The average weight of the bulbs is 80–90 g. The taste is semi-sharp.

The crop has a short shelf life: only 4 months.

Greatful Red F1

Hybrid ripening time is average: 125 days from sowing. The marketable yield is high: 276–650 centners are harvested from 1 hectare. In the Volgograd region, 850 c/ha were obtained. The crop is recommended for cultivation in the Lower Volga region.

The bulbs are large, dark red, weighing up to 120 g. The taste is semi-sharp and juicy.

Important! After ripening, the vegetables ripen completely.

The hybrid is resistant to fusarium rot. It has a high shelf life (stored until March).

Campillo F1

The hybrid produces bulbs that are round in shape, pale purple in color, and have a mild flavor.. It grows both in the south and in central Russia.

The ripening period is medium-late (up to 150 days after planting).

Resistant to pink rot and fusarium. The harvest is stored without loss of taste until the next season.

Retro

Late-ripening variety: 150 days pass after sowing before harvesting. Recommended for the Central region. The bulbs are dark red with white juicy pulp. They taste sweet. Up to 280 centners of vegetables are harvested from 1 hectare.

They are stored for only 3-4 months. Retro is resistant to fusarium and onion fly.

Yucont

Early variety: 85 days pass from the day of sowing to full ripening. Suitable for cultivation in the following regions:

• Central;
• Central Black Earth;
• Volgo-Vyatsky;
• Ural;
• West Siberian.

The bulbs are round, red with purple outlines. The taste is spicy.

In the annual crop, up to 210 c/ha of crops are harvested in the Central region, up to 120 c/ha in the Central Chernozem region, 212 c/ha in the Ural region, and up to 300 c/ha in the West Siberian region. Vegetables can be stored for up to 8 months.

Important! When grown from seeds, onions are harvested after a year, from sets - after 2.

The variety is resistant to fungal diseases.

Yalta

Most popular variety red onion because suitable for cultivation in all regions. Ripening time is average: up to 130 days from the date of sowing.

Wide red bulbs. The pulp is juicy and white, sweet in taste.

Productivity Yalta bow high: up to 500 centners are collected from 1 hectare. The crop is susceptible to onion fly attacks.

Chemical composition

Red onion contains the following beneficial elements::

• boron;
• cellulose;
• sulfur;
• iron;
• iodine;
• calcium;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• sodium
• fluorine;
• chromium;
• chlorine.

The vegetable is low in calories: 40 kcal per 100 g.

The pulp and juice contain anthocyanins - coloring substances, flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage due to oxidation in the intestines.

Onions contain phytoncides - substances that have a detrimental effect on pathogenic fungi and microorganisms.

Characteristics of the bulb

The whole bulb, except for the roots, is used for food.

Important! Some varieties have multi-layered feathers and reach a height of 1.5 m.

Depending on the variety, turnips can be wide, round or oval. Consists of numerous layers of juicy scales. The color changes from soft red to purple.

Advantages and disadvantages

Main benefits of red onion:

• great content useful substances;
• many varieties are suitable for cultivation in almost any region;
• mild taste without bitterness;
• high yield and keeping quality of some varieties.

Vegetables are demanding when it comes to harvesting and storage conditions.

Onions are not eaten when:

• kidney diseases;
• disorders of the liver;
• inflammation of the intestines;
• stomach ulcer;
• individual intolerance;
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding.

Differences from other types of onions

The main feature of red onions is the color of their peel.. It comes in both soft pink and rich dark shades. Almost all varieties have excellent taste, juicy, tender and sweet.

Some plants (for example, Greatful Red) have increased shelf life and resistance to transportation, while others (Campillo) have strong immunity to diseases.

Beneficial properties of red onion:

1. Anti-inflammatory - helps the body fight inflammation and infections.
2. Antiseptic - disinfects the skin, kills pathogenic bacteria.
3. Secretory - promotes the production of acid in the stomach.
4. Anthelmintic - makes the environment unfavorable for parasites.

The vegetable improves blood circulation, dilates blood vessels. Thanks to its high sulfur content, it improves the condition of skin, hair and nails.

Take note:

Is it possible to fry red onions instead of white?

Best recipes: how to pickle red onions

Features of planting and growing

The culture is demanding on light and humidity. The richest harvest of large bulbs ripens in sunny, well-moistened areas.

Is it possible to plant on the head before winter?

Although red onions prefer warm climates, some varieties (for example, Robin, Black Prince) are planted before winter.

Sowing time depends on the region: in the southern regions it is November, and in the northern regions it is September. Suitable ground temperature does not exceed +5°C.

Winter planting technology:

1. Choose an open sunny area with well-drained soil. The earth is dug up with humus, mineral fertilizers, and ash.
2. As soon as the soil settles, the area is leveled with a rake, furrows are made 6 cm deep. The distance between them is 20 cm.
3. The sets are planted 8 cm apart.
4. The soil is sprinkled and compacted.
5. Water only after 10 days.
6. As soon as frost sets in, the ground is mulched with straw.

Some gardeners plant several varieties at once to choose the one they like and prepare it for next year. This procedure will help determine the most winter-hardy onions.

Preparing for landing

Planting material is pre-soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (pink) for 30 minutes. This will destroy pathogens. To speed up germination, the seeds are treated with a growth stimulant and placed in a canvas bag.

Soil requirements

Choose a site for planting that is well-lit and has fertile soil. (pH is 7). If the soil is acidic, add dolomite flour.

Attention! The crop grows best in the place where cabbage was before.

The following fertilizers are applied during digging: (based on 10 liters of water):

• urea - 2 tbsp. l.;
• rotted chicken droppings - 100 g;
• manure infusion - 1 l.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

The prepared material is planted in open ground 2 days after treatment., when constant warm weather has established itself (+22…+23°C) and the soil has warmed up well.

Planting depth: 1.5 cm. Pattern: 3x10 cm.

Plant the seedlings in furrows 5 cm apart. The distance between furrows is 24 cm.

Features of cultivation

Early ripening varieties are cultivated in northern latitudes. For planting, use seedlings or seedlings. These vegetables have a bitter taste.

Onions with medium ripening periods are suitable for the central strip. Seedlings are used as planting material.

In the southern climate, on fertile soil, all varieties grow. The taste of this onion is sweet or semi-sweet.

Nuances of care

Standard care for red onions. Watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries, fertilize - 2 times per season.

Advice! For long-term storage of the crop, the feathers of the plants are not trimmed.

Watering mode

Red onions are watered once every 7 days, at the rate of: 5–10 liters of water per 1 m². At the same time, pay attention to weather conditions. If the summer is dry and the feathers begin to dry out, the frequency of irrigation is increased to 2 times a week. In rainy weather, watering is stopped.

In July, when turnips begin to ripen, the culture is moistened once every 14 days.

Stop watering completely 2 weeks before harvest.: Vegetables are allowed to dry so that they do not rot during storage.

Loosening and weeding

Loosen the ground shallowlyuntil the stems close.

Weeding is carried out regularly: Weeds take nutrients from plants.

Top dressing

Fertilize the crop twice per season:

1. When forming bulbs, organic compounds are used. Prepare a solution of chicken manure (1:10) or liquid mullein (1:5).
2. At the end of June, a composition of 10 liters of water, 60 g of superphosphate, 30 g of sodium chloride is applied to the root. The resulting volume is enough for 2 m².

Disease and pest control

Most often, red onions are susceptible to a fungal disease - fusarium.. It manifests itself as softening of the bottom of the head and death of the roots. The leaves turn yellow and the plant dies. Affected bushes cannot be treated; they are dug up and burned. For prevention, seedlings are soaked in fungicide for 30 minutes before planting.

In dry summers, plants are attacked by onion flies.. She appears as soon as the dandelions begin to bloom. Insect larvae penetrate the vegetable through the bottom or base of the leaves, eating it from the inside. Tobacco is used to control the pest. It is mixed with water at the rate of 250 g per 10 liters, left for 2 days.The resulting product is sprayed onto the plants. At 1 m² you will need 1 liter of composition.

Harvest and storage

Red onions are demanding in terms of harvesting time and storage conditions. It is much more difficult to store than regular bulbs..

Vegetables ripen in late July - early August. As soon as the neck becomes dry and most of the feathers turn yellow and dry, the onion is ready.

Attention! Harvesting is carried out in warm sunny weather.

Store red onions in boxes or on special racks. The humidity in the room should be about 65%, the temperature should not exceed +19°C.

Varieties of this variety have high shelf life. Some (Grateful Red, Campillo, Yucont) are stored until the new season.

Difficulties in growing

Germinating red onion seeds for seedlings is the main difficulty vegetable growers face..

The seeds have low germination. To increase it, the material is pre-prepared:

• disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (30 minutes);
• treated with biostimulator “Epin” (at least 18 hours);
• carefully select a place for seedlings.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Experienced farmers give several recommendations for growing this type of onion:

1. It is better to approach the choice of variety based on the growing region. The taste of vegetables and shelf life depend on this.
2. To get sweeter and larger bulbs, the crop is planted in fertile soil.
3. Store turnips in stockings or tights. The material will protect the crop from excess moisture and provide air flow.

Reviews

Red onions are popular among farmers in various regions. His grown both for food and for making cosmetics.

Anna, Krasnodar region, Yeisk: “I plant Yalta onions in the garden along with carrots.The harvest is strong and lasts a long time. I use it for making salads and preserves.”.

Victor, Moscow region, Krasnoarmeysk: “I’ve been growing the Red Baron variety for 2 years now. The turnips turn out to be large and dense. Great for barbecue and fish. The productivity is very high, and the culture is unpretentious in maintenance.".

Daria, Vladimir region, Alexandrov: “I use red onions not only in cooking, but also for preparing various cosmetics: hair masks, decoctions. The smell is not as strong as the white one. The effect is amazing".

Conclusion

Red or purple onions are a common variety of onions. The culture is unpretentious in care, suitable for cultivation in the southern, middle and northern regions of the country. Vegetables have a pleasant sweet taste, so they are added to various dishes, especially salads.

Thanks to its rich chemical composition, the plant is effective against colds, improves blood circulation, reduces blood pressure and speeds up metabolism. In cosmetology, masks, decoctions and infusions are made from it.