An overview of the best varieties of onion sets for your site

One of the first crops that gardeners begin to plant is onions. This plant has a large varietal selection, which very often confuses novice gardeners and gardeners. After all, it can be quite difficult to choose a plant without knowing its characteristics. In this article, we'll take a look at the very best onion sets.

How to choose a good set

Before choosing a seed plant that will later be planted, you need to make sure that it is a really good choice. You can buy a set in a store or prepare it yourself. But in any case, it is necessary to proceed from the criteria for choosing a suitable seedling.

Sevka selection criteria:

• taste characteristics. First of all, you should start your choice with this parameter, because it is because of this that onions are grown;
• form. This criterion depends only on varietal variety and taste characteristics. After all, few people will plant onions just because they are round;
• resistance of the variety to temperature indicators, as well as humidity. Onion sets respond to these factors by reducing their growth activity. Therefore, remember that the more the onion is transported, fiddled with, the earlier it will start to grow and begin to sprout;
• the smell emanating from the bulbs should be characteristic of the onion. There should be no smell of rot, dampness, mold;
• good specimens should have a small amount of dried onions (no more than 1%);
• the dried onions should rustle. This is a sign of a good set;

• all bulbs must correspond in shape and color to the characteristics of the selected variety;
• appearance. The bulbs must be firm and flat. They should be free from traces of diseases, pests, rot or deterioration;
• the color of the bulbs should be uniform, without various spots;
• the sevka should be free of any mechanical damage;
• the bulbs must be dry. In case of contact with wet specimens (their color is slightly darker), it will be enough just to dry them;
• the seller must indicate the exact name of the variety, as well as its characteristics and shelf life. This is a necessary condition, since the varieties of onion sets have different species parameters, on which germination and yield directly depend. These parameters should also be indicated on the packaging.

In addition to these criteria, not the least is the size of the bulbs. Sevkas for this indicator are divided into the following groups:

1. small-breeding varieties. This group includes plants with a bulb size of 10-15 mm. These bulbs can be planted before winter;
2. medium-sized varieties. The group includes plants with bulbs of sizes 15.1-22 mm;
3. multi-nested varieties. This includes onions with bulb sizes ranging from 22.1 to 40 mm.

There is another classification of onion sets according to their size:

• fine fraction - 8-14 mm. The most optimal size for winter planting. This fraction is not suitable for spring planting. Their bulbs do not give arrows. However, due to their small size, such sets often freeze out. Plants with such bulbs may be three weeks behind in maturity from the seedlings of the middle fraction. When planted on nutrient-poor soils, forms small bulbs;

• the middle fraction is 14–21 mm. Often used for winter planting. Bulbs also do not form an arrow. Optimal size for spring planting;
• large fraction - 21-24 mm. It is used for sub-winter planting and is planted only to obtain greenery. In the case of spring planting, it can form arrows (some varieties give in case of early planting or improper storage). A big plus of this fraction is that ripening and harvesting are guaranteed. This fraction is advised to be planted by the most novice and inexperienced gardeners;
• coarse fraction - 24-30 mm. This fraction appeared on the market relatively recently. The advantage of this group is the low stage. It is used for winter planting and only for obtaining greenery. Spring planting is carried out similarly to the previous fractions;
• very coarse fraction - 30–40 mm. Used to get greenery. No arrows, but only if stored correctly. Experts recommend warming the bulbs before planting the soil.

Today on the market you can find sets and larger sizes. But these bulbs have a high probability of shooting. This bow is not very suitable for planting.

The use of sevka of one fraction has the following advantages:

1. high uniformity of planting material;
2. when using a homogeneous planting material, an increase in yield growth occurs up to 20%;
3. the onion grows to a predictable size;
4. the maximum correlation of the ripening dates of the plant is ensured.

Therefore, the choice of onion sets should be carried out depending on the planting time and its purpose. The most optimal size of the bulbs for their further normal growth is 1-2 cm.

Benefits of using sevka instead of seeds:

• the opportunity to get a harvest much earlier;
• the culture has a faster development, which has a positive effect on the quality of the crop itself at the end of the growing season;
• the plant has a stronger and more powerful root system. This property is of great importance when growing plants in arid soils;
• plants grown from seedlings are less susceptible to the negative influence of weeds;

• in the case of growing onions on light soils, the loss of yield due to wind erosion is minimal;
• onions tolerate mechanical processing well.

The choice of onion sets should be approached thoroughly, since the yield and growth rate of plants depend on this stage.

The best varieties

In addition to choosing a good planting material, not the last place in horticulture and horticulture is the choice of a variety of onion sets. They differ from one another in terms of basic characteristics, as well as ripening time, price and yield.

Description of the most popular varieties of onions that are used as sets:

• Sturon is considered one of the best varieties of onions. Early ripening is characteristic. The onion has a semi-sharp pleasant taste. Its bulbs are medium to large in size. They are unilocular. The mass of one onion ranges from 90-100 to 140-150 grams. The variety has a stable and excellent germination and productivity. Not used for growing on greens. The advantage of this variety is that the harvest is carried out 8 or even 12 days earlier than other plants. Grown in northern latitudes (Russia, Northern Europe, Scandinavia). Possesses high resistance to various diseases. Grown commercially. Long-term storage onions;

• Stuttgarter Riesen is the most famous early ripening variety. It grows in our area. The bulbs are medium to large in size. They are flat or flat-round, dense in consistency. Possesses a pronounced pungent taste. The mass of one bulb is from 50–94 to 150–300 g. It contains a large amount of vitamin C. It can be propagated by seedlings, seedlings and seeds. A significant disadvantage of the plant is susceptibility to diseases such as downy mildew and neck rot. High yield, germination and excellent keeping quality. Plastic variety, picky about watering, loosening and weeding. Bulbs are stored for up to 6 months;
• Centurion.It is a new selection variety of Stuttgarter Riesen. The shape of the bulb is uniform and elongated. The mass of one bulb is about 110–150 g (it can reach 180 g). Bulbs keep well (up to 8 months). The taste is spicy or semi-sharp. Under favorable conditions, 100% germination is possible. The yield is high. The variety is resistant to most diseases. Grown for sevka, but not for greens. Characterized by high resistance to shooting, increased keeping quality. Grown commercially;
• Hercules. A mid-early hybrid with one of the largest round bulbs. Grows well throughout Russia. The shape of the bulbs is broadly elliptical, and the mass is about 160 g. The taste is spicy. High yield is described. The variety keeps well. The plant is resistant to fusarium onion, bottom rot, pink rot;

• Red Baron. Excellent early variety of red / purple onions. The bulb is round and has a mass from 25-40 to 130-150 g. They are well stored. The taste of the bulbs is pleasant and semi-sharp. It is appreciated for its stable yield and excellent ripening properties. Requires regular watering, loosening and weeding. Propagated by seedlings, seedlings and seeds. Due to its excellent taste, it is often included in salads or consumed fresh.

In addition to these varieties, there are other fairly widespread varieties:

• Shtur BS-20. Medium late new variety. Its bulbs have a smooth, rounded shape. They contain a lot of dry matter. The husk is yellow. Long-term preservation is characteristic;
• Orion. Exclusive early maturing hybrid English variety. Produces perfectly round and large bulbs. Their weight is about 150-200 g. It is well stored. This variety is especially preferred by gardeners;
• Stardust. Medium early grade. The bulbs have a pleasant and semi-sharp taste. Good germination and productivity are described. They are smooth and round in shape, large in size. The mass of one bulb is about 30-50 g. Propagated by seeds and seedlings. Can be stored for a long time;

• Carmen. A variety of red onions. The taste of the bulbs is weak. They are of medium density and rounded, which is slightly flattened. Contains a lot of vitamin C and dry matter. The mass of one onion ranges from 50-80 to 100-120 g. 90-100% ripening and good keeping quality are described. Propagated by seedlings, seeds and seedlings;
• Chalcedony. Mid-season variety. The bulbs have a pungent taste. The mass of one onion is 85-100 g. Good keeping quality is described. It is affected by small rot, but is resistant to peronosporosis, cervical rot. It is also grown for greenery. A variety of universal use.
• Ellan. An early elite variety. The bulb is round or elongated. Bulb weight up to 300 g. Resistant to various pests and diseases.

As you can see, the choice of varieties of onion sets is truly huge. Among this variety, every gardener will be able to find the most suitable variety for himself or even several varieties.

Video "Varieties of onion sets"

In the video, an overview of the most popular varieties of onion sets. Brief characteristics of varieties, criteria for choosing bulbs for planting, tips for planting.