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Jesse Saylor
Liliaceae
ALLIUM cepa( Aggregatum Group)
Scallion, Shallot
Onions in the Aggregatum Group produce numerous small bulbs rather than a single large bulb. Like other varieties of garden onion (known collectively as Allium cepa), they are biennials that originated in Central Asia but that are unknown in the wild.
The pale- to mid-green, hollow, awl-shaped leaves of these onions arise from clusters of small papery-coated bulbs. Some varieties produce globular heads of greenish-white flowers on upright stems in the summer of their second year. Hot weather may induce first-year plants to bloom (or "bolt"). Many members of this group have sterile flowers which produce no viable seed. The edible flower buds of some shallots are used in salads.
Members of the Aggregatum Group include shallots, which have clusters of numerous slender bulbs; potato onions, with relatively large and few bulbs; and ever-ready onions, grown for their mild-flavored, persistent foliage.
Garden onions are categorized by the day length at which they form bulbs. Some require relatively short days to produce harvestable bulbs; others require long days. Most are planted in early spring and harvested in late summer. In regions with cool but mild winters, they may be planted in fall or early winter for harvest in spring and early summer. Harvested bulbs of Aggregatum Group onions usually store well.
Garden onions require full sun and regular watering because of their shallow roots. Grow them in loose, rich, well-drained soil. Onions in the Aggregatum Group are usually grown from shallowly planted "sets" (small "starter" bulbs). When most of the leaves are in decline and yellowed, dig the bulbs and dry them in a shady well-ventilated place for several days. Clean off any remaining soil and then store the bulbs in a cool, dark, dry spot, where they will keep for months.
12 - 1
4 - 12
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun, Partial Sun
1'-3' / 0.3m - 0.9m
4"-12" / 10.2cm - 30.5cm
Summer
Asia
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Clump-Forming
Showy
White
Green, Light Green
Green, Light Green, Chartreuse
Green, Yellow Green
No
Yes
Single
Medium
Matte
Semi-Evergreen
Edible, Herb / Vegetable
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