Onion - Red of Florence

SKU: ON30018A
CA$3.90
CA$3.90
Unavailable
per item
Approximately 340 seeds per gram
Allium cepa
Lot# ON30018
The Red of Florence onion is considered a long day type.  It produces a beautiful long bottle or spindle shaped bulb that is about 10-15 cm (4-6”) long and a very attractive purple red color.   It has an outstanding flavor that is mild and sweet and is used for fresh eating and cooking.  It is well adapted to Western Canada.  Plant very early in the spring in a sunny location as soon as the ground may be cultivated and enriched with organic material.  Press soil firmly over seeds.  Allow plant tops to fall and die before harvesting.  Smaller bulb sets can be stored to replant next year
Planting Instructions:
  • Start indoors in February to mid-March, and transplant in April.  Scallions can be direct sown every 3 weeks from April to late August.  Sow 3 seeds 6 mm-12 mm (¼-½") deep in each cell of a 72-cell tray.  Transplant spacing for cells should be around 12-15 cm (5-6") apart in rows that are 45-75 cm (18-30") apart.  You can also sow seeds directly into garden. The soil should be moist before sowing so check the soil the day before sowing and water if the soil is dry. We string our rows about 15.2 m (50’) and etch a furrow about 5 mm-12 mm deep and drop seeds about 2-4 seeds per 2.5 cm (1”) and cover lightly with soil.  Thin when onions reach about 5 cm (2")  in height. Thin them so that they are spaced about 10 cm (4") apart. If planting onion sets, wait until soil can be worked thoroughly in the spring.  A well worked, loose soil is best for planting onion sets.  We string our rows and sow about 10 cm (4”) apart. If soil is nice and loose, you can just push the onion set into the soil with necks upwards and cover up, leaving just the top of the neck poking out of the soil.
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked rich, loose well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 6.2-6.8. 
  • Planting Depth:  6 mm-12 mm (¼-½").Germination:  4-10 days.
  • Height at Maturity:  Red of Florence Onions tops grow to about 45-60 cm (18-24”).  Spread: 10-15 cm (4-6”) 
  • Days to Maturity:   100-120 days for maturity from transplant.  
  • Watering: 2.5 cm (1") of water a week ensures good growth, whether onions are grown in single or wide rows. The amount of rain that falls during the week affects how much you should water your garden. Keep soil consistently moist until bulbs enlarge and mature. Onion roots are shallow; so a light watering will suffice. 
  • Sun/Shade:  Full Sun    
  • Spacing after Thinning:  12-15 cm (5-6") apart in rows that are 45-75 cm (18-30") apart.

Additional Information
Open pollinated-untreated seeds.Pull onions at any stage for fresh eating. Harvest young onions to eat as scallions. For full-sized bulbs, don’t pull onions until bulbs are big and tops start to yellow and fall over.  To harvest, pull onions and shake off soil.  Cure onions by placing them in a warm, place with lots of air flow.  During curing, roots shrivel and necks dry and tighten. After 7 to 10 days of air curing, cut off onion tops and trim off roots with snipers or scissors.  Carefully rub dry dirt from bulbs, taking extra care not to remove papery outer skins from the bulb. Onions will last the longest in a dark, cool (but not cold), dry storage area. Don't ever store onions in plastic bags. Potatoes and onions should not be stored together.