Key points of Welsh onion cultivation techniques: master the methods to grow Welsh onions well

1. For cultivation in Nanzhao, choose between the two types: common Welsh onion and multiplier onion.

Common Welsh onion has weak tillering ability, and its stalk, white portion and leaves are used as food, with propagation mainly by seed. Its varieties include Zhangqiu Welsh onion, Zhonghua Zhengsong, and Dangshi Changbai Tiao onion. Local multiplier onion is propagated by division, has strong tillering ability, less pungency and a short white portion, and is mainly grown for its leaves.

2. Site selection and land preparation

The soil requirements for Welsh onion are: deep soil layers and fertile sandy loam with strong moisture retention, plowed deep and harrowed thoroughly and leveled, with a plow layer depth of 25 cm.

3. Base fertilizer and topdressing

Welsh onion is quite fond of fertilizer throughout its life. Per mu, apply 2000 kg of organic fertilizer or biogas manure and 50-60 kg of NPK compound fertilizer, together with additional calcium, boron and other trace elements. In the vigorous growing season, apply quick-acting fertilizer 2-3 more times as needed, 5-7 kg each time. If it is Spring Festival onion, at Start of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew and Autumn Equinox, combine with earthing up and topdress 6 kg of potassium-containing compound fertilizer, 5 kg of magnesium sulfate, 3 kg of manganese fertilizer and 0.5 kg of borax, which can give Welsh onion good quality and high yield.

4. Field management

After small onions are transplanted and recover from transplanting, growth is relatively slow. At this time the management measures are: do not water if the weather is not dry, and drain promptly when it rains to avoid root rot and seedling death. After rain, carry out intertillage and weeding to promote root development so the onions grow rapidly. After Start of Autumn, temperatures drop and Welsh onion enters its peak growth period. Especially after White Dew, which is the best growing time for Welsh onion, the demand for water, fertilizer and soil is greatest. At this time, topdress once every half month, water once and earth up once. Each earthing up should be just enough not to cover the highest leaf growth point, and never bury the heart leaves, so as not to affect Welsh onion growth. Harvest and store between Start of Winter and Minor Snow.