Comments on: 9 Tricks For Growing Onions http://www.weekendgardener.net/blog/2010/05/9-tricks-for-growing-onions.htm Weekly gardening blog giving tips, ideas and tutorials. Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:01:41 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Hilary http://www.weekendgardener.net/blog/2010/05/9-tricks-for-growing-onions.htm/comment-page-1#comment-382 Hilary Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:12:40 +0000 http://www.weekendgardener.net/blog/?p=390#comment-382 Hi Chiko, I think it will be easier to go over the optimal temperatures that onions need to do well and then you can apply those temperatures to your situation. Now from your question I am assuming you are talking about bulbing onions and not bunching onions like green onions or scallions - so my answer is for growing bulbing onions. Optimal temperatures for bulbing onions is on the cool side. They are considered a cool weather crop and do best in air temperatures of 55 to 75 degrees F (13 to 24 degrees C). They can take air temperatures as cold as 30 degrees F (-1 C), but freezing soil can make onion bulbs soft and waterlogged. When temperatures reach 85 degrees F (29 C) or higher, soft, gray, watery bulbs can result. Generally - onions need cool temperatures in the early stages for top growth and warm temperatures later for bulb formation. Onions planted from transplants or set should be ready for harvest in 90 days. From what you said, it sounds like it may be too warm right now, but if you can follow optimal temperature guidlines in addition to the information in this post, about how to get a better yield, you will be just fine. Hi Chiko,

I think it will be easier to go over the optimal temperatures that onions need to do well and then you can apply those temperatures to your situation.

Now from your question I am assuming you are talking about bulbing onions and not bunching onions like green onions or scallions – so my answer is for growing bulbing onions.

Optimal temperatures for bulbing onions is on the cool side. They are considered a cool weather crop and do best in air temperatures of 55 to 75 degrees F (13 to 24 degrees C).

They can take air temperatures as cold as 30 degrees F (-1 C), but freezing soil can make onion bulbs soft and waterlogged.

When temperatures reach 85 degrees F (29 C) or higher, soft, gray, watery bulbs can result.

Generally – onions need cool temperatures in the early stages for top growth and warm temperatures later for bulb formation.

Onions planted from transplants or set should be ready for harvest in 90 days.

From what you said, it sounds like it may be too warm right now, but if you can follow optimal temperature guidlines in addition to the information in this post, about how to get a better yield, you will be just fine.

]]> By: Chiko http://www.weekendgardener.net/blog/2010/05/9-tricks-for-growing-onions.htm/comment-page-1#comment-376 Chiko Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:14:32 +0000 http://www.weekendgardener.net/blog/?p=390#comment-376 I live in Lusaka, Zambia, a country in southern Africa & summer in my country starts in late October early to mid November. Q: Today, I have transplanted onion seedlings with the hope of harvesting in April when summer is ending. Now, is it possible to have a good yield & possibly manage to dry the onion completely? Q: Is it possible to transplant onion seedlings in later December early January & expect to have a successful crop with a good yield? I live in Lusaka, Zambia, a country in southern Africa & summer in my country starts in late October early to mid November.
Q: Today, I have transplanted onion seedlings with the hope of harvesting in April when summer is ending. Now, is it possible to have a good yield & possibly manage to dry the onion completely?
Q: Is it possible to transplant onion seedlings in later December early January & expect to have a successful crop with a good yield?

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