Almost everyone grew onions for greens. It would seem that there is nothing easier - I stuck the onion into any soil and here's the greens for your table, and at any time of the year. Green onions on the windowsill are also a common sight. They grow it without any experience and without acquaintance with the technology.
If we add to such a great desire for cultivation certain knowledge of forcing onions for greens in the open field, then the harvest can be obtained several times more, not only in the beds, but also on the windowsill.
Selection of varieties and preparation of onions for planting
To grow more green onions, you must choose varieties that are multi-primordial. Such species have several buds, each of which can release about five leaves.
In October, early and medium ripening varieties are usually used for planting. For example, Rostovsky, Strigunovsky or Spassky. But next month - late varieties (Union, Pogarsky or Bessonovsky).
If you prefer milder-flavored green onions, go for shallots. For home cultivation, varieties with an early ripening period are suitable - Off-season, Sprint or Siberian.
Very often, green onions are grown at home from those bulbs that turned out to be the smallest, spoiled, damaged, or began to germinate. It's a pity to throw them away, because you can enjoy at least a few green feathers.
It is more correct to choose the best healthy bulbs for planting on greens, about 4 centimeters in diameter. The process of the appearance of greenery can be accelerated by first cutting off its upper part (by about 1 centimeter) or by making two intersecting cuts with a knife.
The bulbs prepared in this way are recommended to be kept for 24 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for the purpose of prevention and disinfection. You can replace this procedure with heating the bulbs in a warm ash solution (50 grams of ash are poured onto a large bucket of warm water). After such preparation, the process of forcing greens will noticeably accelerate.
Preparation of containers and soil for forcing onion feathers
As containers for growing green onions in the ground, you can use wooden or plastic boxes, flower pots made of any material, and even sturdy plastic bags. Before planting, each container is treated with disinfectant solutions (for example, a solution of potassium permanganate).
Before filling the tanks with soil, a drainage layer is laid on the bottom of any available material (expanded clay, small sea pebbles, coarse river sand or brick pieces).
To prepare the potting mix, you will need peat (7 parts), humus (2 parts) and garden soil (1 part). You can add about one cup of wood ash to this mixture if you like.
Planting bulbs on greens, watering and feeding
During the short daylight period, it is recommended to plant the bulbs very close to each other, practically without gaps. It is not necessary to cover the top with soil. This will not negatively affect the formation and growth of greenery.
With an increase in daylight hours, starting in February, the bulbs are planted at a distance of 1 centimeter from each other and sprinkled with earth. This will provide an opportunity for the development and nutrition of the plant's root system. Irrigation is carried out with warm water only below the growth points. If water gets on them, decay can begin.
After planting, boxes with onions must be kept in a darkened room with an air temperature of no more than twelve degrees Celsius for 7 days until the first feather appears. After that, the containers are transferred to a warm and bright room with a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. These are the most optimal temperature conditions for forcing greens.
If the boxes with the planted onions are immediately put on light windowsills, then the appearance of green feathers will have to wait for a very long time, since the plants have not yet had time to take root. And without a strong root system, it is difficult for a plant to develop.
Watering is carried out in two ways, depending on the purpose of the final result.
For the rapid growth of greenery, the temperature of the irrigation water should be in the range of 30-35 degrees, but the feathers will be weak and light green. But such a crop can be cut after 15 days.
If you want to try a real strong-looking onion with a rich juicy green hue, then it is better to use water with a temperature of about 15 degrees for irrigation. True, the harvest will ripen only after 30 days.
It is necessary to completely stop watering a few days before harvesting.
The period for forcing onions for greens is not very long, but it can be slightly extended with the help of fertilizers, and at the same time the quality and quantity of vegetable crops can be increased.
When the first green feathers appear, the plants are fed for the first time (with the help of ammonium nitrate). The second feeding is carried out after 7 days. It consists of water (10 liters), superphosphate (30 grams) and potassium chloride (10 grams).
As an organic fertilizer, you can use an ash infusion or an infusion on banana peels. These feeds are rich in natural nutrients.
Each onion gives an average of three harvests, that is, the greens are completely cut three times. The optimum height of feathers for cleaning is no more than 40 centimeters.
