Allium cepa var proliferum (bulbils) |
Origin: Middle East?
Zone Range: 3-9
Preferred Situation: Full/semi sun with fertile, well draining loam.
Harvest Date: Friday 01 September, 2006
Description:
Fall shipping only (not to USA). A unique hardy perennial onion (60 cm tall) that doesn’t require annual digging, special soil, or treatment. Truly versatile vegetable. Bulbils (top sets) at the end of its stalks that are excellent pickled if you don’t want to increase the onion grove’s size, the stalks used as green onions and the bulbs used instead of shallots. Bulbil's weight lowers the stalk to the ground where they quickly root. This trait is called ‘walking’ hence ‘walking onion’.
Notes:
Thought to originate in India or the middle East and brought to Europe courtesy of traveling Romans.
Hardy as far north as Alaska. Disease free, deer proof. Thought to originate in India or the middle East and brought to Europe courtesy of traveling Romans. For those living in prolonged cold climates, apply mulch as thermal cover to protect young bulblets every year.
Cultivation:
5 nice bulbs. Dig shallow trench for row planting or individual holes for 'here and there' planting. Apply some greensand and/or compost to the transplant hole and plant bulbs so upper part of bulb just above surface. Gently water to firmly seat the plants. Stand back and watch! Pretty much maintainence free when established. Don't let bed get overgrown with weeds. When bulbils are formed, wait until roots can be seen until you separate the clump and individually plant for maximum bulb growth. Never use chemical or high nitrogen fertilizers as this will seriously compromise the hardiness and bulb's ability to overwinter. A side dressing of compost or hand broadcasting of greensand is enough.
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