The Spring Onion Pompeii ( Allium cepa ) is a popular open pollinated variety that is usually grown as an annual and performs well in cold or temperate climates. Often sown in spring to be harvested in summer, the Pompeii produces small, white, and round bulbs that are ideal for salads, soups and pickling. Their bubs produce a succulent flavour although their leaves too are edible from seed in just two months.
The origin of the Pompeii is as the name suggests, from Italy and in particular the southern region of Campania.
Allium cepa is best stored in the fridge, where they will stay fresh for about a month. Spring onions have lots of health benefits and a wide range of uses in the kitchen.
Growth
Spring Onion Pompeii is usually grown as an annual, that reaches a height of around 30cm. Germination to harvest time averages around 80-90 days.
Spring Onions can be grown in containers / pots prior to transplanting and unlike most vegetables don’t require much or any spacing between seeds. Do not plant onions or other members of their family such as garlic, leek, chives in the same location as the season before to avoid any disease development.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Amaryllidaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Temperate although they can be grown in warmer climates the harvest is smaller.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 35°C / 50 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil should be loose and well-draining but kept moist. Nutrient rich soil / compost is where onions will thrive the most. Avoid using soil that has grown onions in previous seasons.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 35 cm’s (1 foot) above ground
WIDTH:
Up to 8 cm’s (3 inches)
pH:
6.2-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual. Can be grown as a biennial for seeding the following year.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Insects, Open Pollination
MATURITY:
Average 80-90 days, although leaves can be harvested from around 70 days.
GERMINATION RATES:
93%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-14 days at temperatures between 10-22°C / 35-75°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 350
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1 year, Cold storage at -18 to-20 (Freezer) 2-3 years.
FACTS ABOUT ALLIUM CEPA (Spring Onion Pompeii)
Spring Onions are an excellent source of Vitamin C and calcium and are also high in dietary fibre, folate and Vitamin A. They are commonly used as garnishes, in stir fry, stews and as substitutes for chives and leeks.
The botanical name Allium fistulosum is derived from the latin word Allium, meaning garlic and fistulosum literally translates into hollow, which describes the plants leaves and stems.
Also known as Welsh Onion, Green Onions, Japanese Bunching Onion or Scallions.
