Learning to grow onions from onions offers a straightforward and fulfilling gardening experience.
Onions, a staple in many dishes, are remarkably resilient when propagated from existing bulbs. By cutting the bottom of an onion and planting it in soil, you bypass the need for seeds, making the process accessible to all gardening enthusiasts.
With consistent care - regular watering and patience - you can watch your onion cuttings transform into mature bulbs in just 90-120 days. This method simplifies gardening and allows you to savor the satisfaction of cultivating your own fresh produce.
Whether you're snipping green onions for salads or harvesting mature bulbs for long-term storage and cooking, growing onions from onions is a rewarding journey that connects you more intimately with your food and enhances your culinary experience.
| Scientific name | Allium cepa |
| Common name | Yellow onion, red onion, white onion, sweet onion, green onion (scallion), shallot |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Height | 12 to 18 inches |
| Width | Up to 5 inches |
| Color | Yellow, red, white, green |
| Flavor | Mild, sweet and pungent |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained |
Most onion varieties, including those from grocery stores, can be used for propagation.
Select a firm onion without signs of rot, mold, soft spots, or blemishes. The onion should have a dry, papery outer skin and feel solid when gently squeezed.
Carefully chop off the bottom of the onion, ensuring all roots remain intact. Leave approximately 1.5-2 inches of the onion bulb attached. This section, often called the "meat" of the onion, is where roots will sprout and develop.
Let the bottom of the onion dry for 12-24 hours on a flat surface with the cut side facing up. This drying period allows the cut surface to toughen up, aiding in root development. Use the rest of the onion for cooking or composting.
Next, divide the onion bottom into four sections and insert toothpicks halfway into each side, spacing them evenly. Hang the onion bottom over a small bowl of water so that the bottom just touches the water's surface.
Place the setup in a sunny spot or near a sunny window. In about 3-4 days, you should see small, white roots growing from the bottom of the onion.
Choose a well-draining soil mix from a plant nursery, or mix equal parts garden soil, compost, and perlite or vermiculite. To check if the soil drains well, dig a 12-inch (30 cm) hole and fill it with water. If the water drains away in 5-15 minutes, the soil is good for planting onions.
Select a large pot with holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out. Fill the pot halfway with the soil mix, ensuring it is evenly moist but not too wet.
Fill a starter pot about two-thirds full with your prepared soil mix. Press down gently to compact the soil. Create a small indentation in the center to cradle the onion bottom, ensuring good soil contact for healthy root growth.
Place the onion cutting into the indentation with the roots facing downwards. Cover the onion bottom with 1-2 inches of soil, ensuring it is securely planted. As the onion cutting grows, you may notice white roots developing from the bottom. Continue filling the pot with soil until it reaches about 1-2 inches from the top.
Ensure onions receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors, place them near a sunny window or use grow lights. Rotate pots for even exposure.
Partial shade can affect onion growth. In partial shade, onions may grow more slowly and produce smaller bulbs.
For healthy onions, use well-draining soil with pH levels around 6.0 to 7.0. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Add compost to enhance nutrients and improve soil structure.
Once your onions are planted, water them deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water. It's best to water them early in the morning or late in the afternoon to minimize evaporation and allow the water to penetrate deeply into the soil.
Check the moisture level by gently feeling the top 2 inches of soil; if it's dry, water until moist, ensuring optimal conditions for healthy onion growth.
Regularly weed around onions to prevent competition for nutrients and space. Use your hands to gently pull out weeds, being careful not to disturb the onion roots.
Mulching lightly can help suppress weed growth. Check regularly and remove weeds promptly to support healthy onion growth and maximize yield.
Fertilize onions every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer 10-10-10, which provides essential nutrients for leaf and bulb growth. Once bulbs start emerging, discontinue fertilizing until harvest to ensure robust onion development.
Be vigilant against common pests such as onion thrips, aphids, and onion maggots, which can harm plants by feeding on leaves and bulbs. Diseases like onion rot and downy mildew can also affect onions, causing discoloration and reduced growth.
To combat these issues, use organic pesticides sparingly and ensure pots have good drainage and adequate air circulation. Regularly inspect plants for early signs of pests or diseases to promptly apply appropriate treatments and safeguard onion health.
Yellow leaves are caused by nutrient deficiencies or overwatering. Ensure the soil has proper drainage and avoid excessive watering to prevent root rot and yellowing foliage.
Additionally, monitor soil nutrients and supplement with balanced fertilizer as needed to maintain healthy green leaves and promote robust onion growth.
If multiple new onions sprout from a single bottom piece, it can lead to smaller bulbs. To remedy this, divide the onion bottom carefully with a sharp knife, leaving enough roots and leaves on each section for robust growth.
Additionally, ensure each onion has adequate space and nutrients in the pot to promote healthy development and maximize yield.
When onion leaves reach about 3-4 inches, you can harvest them to add to your daily meals. Use a sharp knife to cut the leaves out of the base to prevent hurting the onions.
On average, onions grown from cuttings take about 90-120 days to form new bulbs. Harvest them when their tops have turned yellow and fallen over. Carefully loosen the soil around each onion and lift them from the ground.
Trim the roots and tops, leaving about 1 inch intact. Let the onions cure in a warm, dry place with good airflow for about 2 weeks.
Store the cured onions in a cool, dry area with adequate ventilation, such as in a mesh bag or crate. Check regularly for signs of spoilage and use promptly.
Growing onions from onions offers a rewarding experience, providing fresh onions from your own home.
Visit our site and see all other available articles!