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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] onions

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  • From: Bill Shoemaker <wshoemak AT illinois.edu>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] onions
  • Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:20:53 -0500 (CDT)

> I think onions like it wet, real wet, for a long time.
>

Onions have short, dense root systems so its really easy for them to run out
of water most years. Long ago I did some work with drip irrigation on onions.
It made an immense difference to water every 3 days. Onions have a a
plant-building stage, then a bulb-building stage. Daylength (actually length
of night) determines when the shift occurs. Different varieties have
different daylength requirements (long-day, short-day, intermediate). It is
critical to have the plant well-developed before this shift. Water is the
key, both before and after the shift. Mulch and weed control are just as
important, but mainly because of how they impact water availability. Use
well-developed transplants and never let them starve for water. You can grow
great onions this way.

Bill
William H Shoemaker, UI-Crop Sciences
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
St Charles Horticulture Research Center
535 Randall Road St Charles, IL 60174
630-584-7254; FAX-584-4610




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