A little history
Onion is one of the oldest cultures of the Mediterranean culture. Formerly known by the Egyptian culture.
Nutritional properties
The onion has a very comprehensive nutrients, vitamins, carbohydrates and fiber but the most valuable is the content in phytochemicals that give it taste so characteristic. It is consumed in many ways, raw, cooked, canned and as a condiment and accompanying large variety of dishes of meat, fish or vegetables.
A bit of botany
The onion is a plant of the lily family, its scientific name is Allium cepa. It is a biennial plant. The onion bulb is formed during the first year for the accumulation of reserves to the base of the leaves. It has a shallow root system that is well suited to growing in containers.
Varieties
There are many types of onions, some typical of certain geographical areas. They are classified by the shape of the bulb, the growing season or climate adaptation.
Onions need minimum day length (photoperiod length) to induce the formation of the bulb. According photoperiod requirements are classified as summer varieties are harvested in the summer and need a long photoperiod, ie, several hours of light to form the bulb. Also known as long-day varieties. Winter varieties are harvested in autumn and early winter. Varieties are known as short days or short photoperiod although actually would mean less largo.También photoperiod are classified according to whether harvested dry, tender or sent (refer to the fact that sold in bundles or sent several onions). Although all tender onions can be harvested or dried for harvesting dry varieties are those that are best stored for several months after harvest. The color of the bulb is another feature for grouping varieties. There are varieties of bulb white, yellow or red, as Figueres onion.
How to Grow
This plant is hardy but requires slightly higher temperatures and minimum day length to form the bulb. It makes campus. The cycles are recommended transplant in late winter and dry onion harvest in summer and late summer transplant and onion harvest in winter. It can make planting pots with 4-5 then by boat or small trays or pots. From planting to transplantation can spend about 30 to 90 days, depending on the time is made. If transplanted to bareroot plant separates each about 15-20 cm. If we use boat squad, with two or three plants per mancho, increase the spacing between plants to 25-30 cm. Keep in mind that if the onions close together transplanted get smaller bulbs. If you want to reap the dry bulb and keep for several months, we have to wait until the leaves begin to dry, 3 or 4 months after transplantation.