Content
Hercules onion sets are planted in the spring, and after 2.5-3 months the weighty, long-storable heads are collected. When growing, the requirements of agricultural technology are observed, the plantings are watered and fed. Gardeners themselves sow branded hybrid seeds to obtain high-quality sets.
History of variety selection
This is a mid-early hybrid of Dutch selection from the company Bejo Zaden B.V. Included in the State Register since 2006. It is recommended to cultivate Hercules f1 in the areas of the Central region. Hobbyists grow this high-yielding onion variety almost everywhere because of its excellent preservation until spring.
Description of the Hercules onion variety
The first generation hybrid onion Hercules, the variety is also called Hercules, is a two-year heat-loving crop. In the spring, seeds are sown, which by autumn form small bulbs, sets, for planting in the next warm season. The root system of the variety is powerful, with long shoots, due to which the crop develops well even in the dry period, although this reduces the yield.The few feathers, 35 cm high, are juicy and dark green in color. Mature heads are elliptical in shape, on average from 120 to 160 g, with a neck of regular thickness. Dry yellow-golden husk surrounds the bulbs in three to four layers. The inner scales are juicy and thick, white, with a tight fit.
The heads are mostly single-germinate, but there are also two shoots. There are few leaves, which contributes to better weight gain of the bulb. The Hercules variety is spicy to taste, but without pronounced bitterness. Dry matter is 15%. The Hercules onion variety is one of the best for industrial cultivation.
Sevok Hercules: description
A high-quality seed of the Hercules hybrid should not exceed 21-24 mm in diameter. The bulbs of the Hercules set in the photo look like large round-oval heads. There are rudiments of roots at the bottom, the neck is dry, without sprouts. The upper scales are golden in color, folded in several layers around the head of the set. The bulbs are uniform in shape and size.
Onion sets Hercules: characteristics
Selected onion sets Hercules with yellow upper scales without spots or damage gives a high yield of large heads that are stored for a long time.
Productivity
After April or May planting, the Hercules set develops in 75-85 days. The heads are dug up when the leaves have withered. Depending on the nutritional value of the soil, timely watering and fertilizing, bulbs weighing from 80 to 200 g grow. For a good harvest, the site is prepared in the fall, adding the necessary minerals and organic matter. Considering the time of planting the Hercules set, ripe onions are selected in August. The variety gives from 1 sq.m 7-8 kg of juicy heads. Without fertilizing with onion, Hercules f1 sets, according to reviews, grow 5-6 kg, which is an impressive result.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The hybrid is resistant to characteristic onion diseases, so the heads develop well. Also, the bulbs last a long time without being infected by diseases. But if the seed of a high-yielding variety was purchased by hand, it should be soaked in disinfectant solutions before planting. The procedure will clean the onion from insects and infections. Pests are controlled using folk remedies. It is important to observe crop rotation and not plant plants in the same areas. Insects can overwinter in the ground and develop in new plantings.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Numerous descriptions with photos of Hercules onion sets confirm that this is one of the best varieties. The advantages of the hybrid are obvious:
- precocity;
- high productivity;
- excellent commercial performance;
- storage duration;
- resistance to the formation of arrows;
- drought resistance;
- resistance to pathogens.
Summer residents, in their reviews of the Hercules onion set, also point out a drawback: you cannot grow your own seeds from the hybrid, which are quite expensive in specialized stores.
Planting and caring for onions
The Hercules variety reveals its potential subject to timely planting and proper cultivation. The sets are prepared for planting by soaking in salt solutions, potassium permanganate, copper sulfate, and industrial special preparations to remove possible pathogens and pests. Spores can get into the seedlings if they are improperly stored in the store, if the planting material is not sold in branded packaging.Sevok may be infested with pests in the previous plot if it is purchased at the market.
Predecessors are also taken into account:
- onions develop successfully after tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, lettuce, spinach, and melons;
- Do not plant where garlic, corn, carrots, and sunflowers grew.
Onion planting dates
Following the description of the variety, Hercules onion sets are planted in the garden when the soil warms up to + 10 °C - from early April to mid-May.
Is it possible to plant Hercules onions before winter?
Seeds of this variety are also planted in the fall to get a harvest by the end of July, beginning of August. Before winter, Hercules onions are placed on the site approximately 17-20 days before the onset of frost. It is important to choose the time so that the seedlings do not begin to germinate. In cold weather, its delicate feathers will freeze, which will have a bad effect on the condition of the entire bulb. For pre-winter planting of the variety, the smallest seeding is chosen. The bulbs will begin their development early and will ensure a good harvest. The bed is mulched with dry grass and sawdust in a layer of up to 10-12 cm.
Preparing the beds
How to choose the right place for the Hercules variety:
- choose a sunny, unshaded site for unpretentious but heat-loving onions;
- cannot be planted in lowlands where moisture accumulates after precipitation;
- onions like neutral sandy loams, loams and loose chernozems, light, enriched with nutrients;
- For autumn planting, when digging up the area, only 500 g of wood ash per 1 sq. m. is added. m;
- for spring work, in the fall add 35 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium chloride, half a bucket of humus, but not manure;
- in April, 15 g of urea or 12 g of ammonium nitrate are added to the soil.
Planting onions
According to the characteristics of the Hercules onion, the heads grow large, the sets are planted according to the scheme: 30 cm between rows, 15 cm between holes. The soaked sets are dried and placed at a depth of 5 cm.
Growing onions
The Hercules onion variety from sets, according to reviews, does not require daily care:
- water two to three times a week in June and early July;
- after July 16 or August 1, the feathers fade and watering is stopped;
- loosen the soil by 2-3 cm;
- weeds deleted.
The Hercules onion variety is fertilized 3-4 times, watered with 5 liters of fertilizer per 1 square meter. m:
- In the spring, when the first shoots appear, 20 g of urea are dissolved in 10 liters of water.
- After 2 weeks, 40 g of nitrophoska are diluted in 10 liters.
- Then phosphate-potassium fertilizers are used.
Harvest and storage
When the neck dries and closes, the onion is dug out with a pitchfork and the feathers are cut off. The heads are dried for 4-5 days, then they are placed in containers with loose walls. Store in cool and dry places.
Onion propagation methods
The seeds of the variety are sown in the soil in the spring, and a conditioned set is obtained in July. The bulbs are dried, freed from remaining feathers and stored at a temperature from + 5 °C to + 15 °C. In the spring, the sets are planted to form heads.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
According to the description, Hercules onions are not susceptible to diseases. The variety is harmed by onion fly and mite, tobacco thrips, which are repelled by ash or saline solution, and neighboring carrot plantings. Insecticides are used on plantations. For prevention, seedlings are treated with disinfecting infusions.
Conclusion
It is important to plant Hercules onion sets on time, treating them with disinfectants. Watering and fertilizing will ensure the formation of large heads. The variety is easy to grow and stores well until spring.