Onion California Red ( Allium cepa ) are grown as annuals and are ‘short day’ onions. Short day onions are varieties that require the least sunlight to reach maturity. On average a short-day onion variety needs 10-12 hours of daylight every day. This makes them suitable for most climates, including the warmer regions, unlike some other varieties.
This globe variety has a great flavour, which makes it fantastic for salads, salsas, coleslaw and cooking. Allium cepa are best stored in the fridge, where they will stay fresh for about a month. Onions have loads of health and medicinal properties.
Our other onion varieties include the Gladalan Brown and the Spanish White.
Growth
Usually grown as annuals, the Californian Reds have a vibrant red colour that tints every layer making it a beautiful chopped onion. This variety is very cold hardy and germination to harvest time averages around 180-240 days. Plant onions straight into the garden or started them in pots and transplanted 4-6 weeks later.
Onions can be grown in containers / pots if the pot is large enough. 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 Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10-35°C / 50-95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil should be loose and well-draining but kept moist. Nutrient rich soil / compost is where onions will thrive the most.
LOCATION:
Full Sun. Will tolerate some light shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 45 cm’s (1.5 feet) above ground
WIDTH:
Up to 10 cm’s (4 inches)
pH:
5.5-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual. Onion can be grown as a biennial for seed collecting the following year.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Insects, Open Pollination
MATURITY:
Average 180-240 days
GERMINATION RATES:
94%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days at temperatures between 13-22°C / 55-75°F
GERMINATION DIIFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) for 1-2 years.
FACTS ABOUT ALLIUM CEPA (Onion)
The most widely cultivated member of the Allium genus is the onion.
Onions have an inbuilt survival instinct that causes a release of gas during cutting. This gas is irritating to our eyes and triggers tears to flush out the irritant.
