[Arid_gardener] Re: Bulbing Onions

[Olin Miller]

----- Original Message ----- From: <jayconstruction at cox.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 11:37 AM
> jay grant 85213
> last year i grew onions from sets. i wanted onions but after thinning the
> green onions from 2inch to 4 inch spacing all i got were big green onions.
> what needs to happen in order to get onions not big green onions

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You need to plant the right variety at the right time.  Because our growing
season is during the short winter and spring days, you need to plant short
day onions.  Best short days varieties for our climate are Grano, Granex
(Vidalia if grown at Vidalia GA),White Bermuda (Crystal Wax), and a globular
red variety called Southern Belle.  Start seeds in October.  Set out plants
as soon as possible after January 1.  You can order plants from Texas
growers  My personal favorite is:
http://www.dixondalefarms.com/

The so-called day neutral varieties, Candy and Super Star, will also form
bulbs if shaded and allowed to grow into the hot summer months.

Short day onions have a high sugar content and do not store well and
consequently, are not available as sets.  The generic long day sets usually
available locally in packets of 100 will produce great green onions but will
seldom form large bulbs.

You might also find useful information about growing onions in the low
desert at
http://home.att.net/~millero/Onions.htm

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
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