Allium “La Rossa di Tropea’ (Italian purple onion)
Allium “La Rossa di Tropea’ (Italian purple onion)
A very old heritage onion grown for its mild distinct flavour. Unlike most other red onions, this one can be stored for 4-5 months once fully dried off so use them fresh and let some mature. If grown well, they can reach 500g each and typically have a flat bottom with a slightly elongated top.
Sow seeds in late winter in a tray and allow the seedlings 8 weeks to grow large enough for planting out. The leaves of the seedlings can be cut back to half length a week prior to transplanting. If planted too late in spring they can bolt before maturing. Bulbs typically mature in February when they can be dried off or finished drying off under cover if the weather is wet. To harvest your own seeds, allow 3-4 healthy and vigorous bulbs to dry off and leave them to reshoot in autumn, these will send up an inflorescence in early November. Stake the inflorescence as they flow over easily.
150 seeds/packet (some seed husks mixed with seeds)
Germination
Sow seeds in late winter in a tray and allow the seedlings 8 weeks to grow large enough for planting out. The leaves of the seedlings can be cut back to half length a week prior to transplanting. If planted too late in spring they can bolt before maturing. Bulbs typically mature in February when they can be dried off or finished drying off under cover if the weather is wet. To harvest your own seeds, allow 3-4 healthy and vigorous bulbs to dry off and leave them to reshoot in autumn, these will send up an inflorescence in early November. Stake the inflorescence as they flow over easily.
150 seeds/packet (some seed husks mixed with seeds)
Approximate minimum seed count per pack
150 seeds/packet (some seed husks mixed with seeds)