Content
Among the many varieties of onions, winter varieties are popular among gardeners because they bear fruit earlier. Shakespeare onions have a number of advantages over many winter varieties, both in terms of care and yield.
History of variety selection
Onions themselves appeared 4 thousand years BC. The homeland of this cultivated plant is China. But the Shakespeare onion is a variety of Dutch selection. The variety appeared in Russia quite recently, but has already gained some popularity. Breeders developed a variety that is intended exclusively for planting in the fall; when planted in the spring, the yield is much smaller. This variety is sown with sevka.
Description of the bow
Shakespeare onion is a winter variety, its bulb weight is about 100 grams. Another advantage is the early ripening period.
The bulb is round in shape, covered with round hard scales of yellow-brown color. The pulp of the fruit is white, quite juicy, and tastes semi-sharp.It is not prone to bolting, which greatly distinguishes it from other winter varieties.
Characteristics of winter onions Shakespeare
There are several main characteristics that characterize the Shakespeare winter onion and give it positive reviews. First of all, this is an early-ripening variety that produces one of the first crops among all known varieties of winter onions. The bulbs have excellent taste.
Productivity
With proper care and competent agricultural technology, you can harvest the crop within 70 days after the first shoots. Onion yield is 3.5 kg/m2 . The fruits have a dense shell that helps withstand severe frosts. This allows you to grow the onions in question even in the conditions of the Siberian winter. Tolerates frosts down to – 18 °C.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Onions for winter Shakespeare is perfect for beginner gardeners because it is resistant to most diseases and pests. But the onion fly still affects the plant, and therefore preventive measures should be taken.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Shakespeare variety winter onion has a number of advantages for which gardeners value this variety.
Advantages of the variety:
- the sets do not need to be stored until spring;
- ripens much earlier than what is sown in the spring;
- excellent taste;
- resistance to the formation of arrows;
- resistance to common onion diseases.
The only drawback of Shakespeare onions can be considered the shelf life, but this applies to all winter varieties.
Planting and caring for winter onions Shakespeare
In order to reap the maximum harvest, it is necessary to follow the rules of agricultural technology.Shakespeare onion sets are winter because it is not recommended to plant them in the spring. It is important to meet deadlines and properly prepare the land. The timing primarily depends on the climatic conditions of the region where planting takes place.
When to plant winter onions Shakespeare
The planting date may vary each year depending on air and soil temperatures. Usually this is the end of October and the beginning of November. If onions are planted too early, this will lead to early shoots and subsequent freezing. If planted late, the onions will not have time to take root before winter. The air temperature should be +5 °C. In this case, approximately 2 weeks should remain until the temperature reaches 0 °C. Winter onion sets of the Shakespeare variety take root and grow even in Siberia, but according to reviews, it is important to plant it a couple of weeks before the frost so that it does not freeze and has time to take root.
When to plant winter onions Shakespeare in Siberia
For planting in Siberia, earlier dates are required. At least a month must pass after planting before the onset of severe frosts. Therefore, in Siberia, the planting date is approximately mid-October or a little earlier.
Preparing the bed
It is advisable to prepare the beds for planting in advance so as not to do this in the cold. First of all, the ground must be dug up and cleared of the remains of previous plantings. To improve soil fertility, you can use humus, potassium salt, and superphosphate. Wood ash is also perfect for increasing the nutritional value of the soil, but you should be careful with fertilizers containing nitrogen. It is also prohibited to use fresh manure.
It is advisable to choose a sunny and dry place for the onion bed. The bed is made 15–20 cm high. Furrows for planting are made at a distance of 15 cm.Bulbs should be planted at a depth of 3 cm.
How to plant Shakespeare onions before winter
Initially, the seed should be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes. This will prevent many diseases and strengthen the seedlings before planting. Then dry the bulbs thoroughly and only then begin planting. You can plant one bulb at a time, but for this variety it is also permissible to plant in nests of 3-4 sets in one hole. If you plant it deeper than 3 cm, then in the spring it will be difficult for it to rise, and if planted superficially, the onion may freeze in winter.
Growing onions
When growing, it is important to comply with the basic requirements for watering, fertilizing and care. Then the yield will be as high as possible. After planting, onions must be mulched. In winter, make sure there is enough snow on the beds. In the spring, the mulch should be removed and then a thin layer of ash should be added to the beds.
Watering. After planting, the vegetable does not need watering. In spring there is enough natural precipitation, and therefore the soil is already moist. The first watering is needed no earlier than in the first half of May. The characteristics of the Shakespeare onion show that it is unpretentious in care, but you still need to ensure sufficient humidity.
Feeding. The first time the soil needs to be fed is when the bulb begins to ripen. The second feeding is after 14 days. Potassium phosphate fertilizers are perfect for this. The best option would be to apply fertilizers in liquid form, since they are better absorbed this way.
Be sure to weed the garden bed so that weeds did not interfere with the plant’s growth and development. And also be sure to loosen the soil, since the bulbs need access to air.
Harvest and storage
Approximately 2.5 months after germination, you can begin harvesting Shakespeare onions. The bulbs are dug up using a pitchfork. Shake off the soil from the bulb and spread the crop out in the open air. The crop is then transferred under a canopy to dry completely until the necks of the bulbs are dry. At this point, you need to cut off the roots and remaining stems.
If you put the crop in a cool place, it can last up to six months. The room must be completely dry and without signs of mold on the walls. High humidity will not allow the harvest to survive.
Onion propagation methods
The main propagation method for the Shakespeare variety is the use of sets. Sets can be of different sizes, depending on the purpose of cultivation. Very small bulbs up to 1 cm are used to obtain a harvest with the longest shelf life. If you use a set of larger diameter, you can get a good feather for spring use.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The most common pest is the onion fly. To combat it, you can plant marigolds around the beds, which will repel the pest. When the first signs of any disease appear, it is necessary to treat the plant with fungicides. Treatment with copper oxychloride is also useful. In more severe cases, systemic fungicides are suitable.
Conclusion
Shakespeare onion is a winter variety of Dutch selection. It is also grown in Russia due to its frost resistance. Easy to care for and resistant to many diseases. Has excellent taste. When planting, it is important to follow the deadlines and arrive before frost so that the seedlings can take root. Winter onions Shakespeare are also suitable for growing in Siberia with proper care.
And when I planted Shakespeare sets in the spring, the bulbs grew 1.5 times larger than in the winter.