The multi-tiered bow has recently appeared in garden beds. This plant has an exotic look, but in fact it is not difficult to grow it. The vegetable has a high yield, is unpretentious in maintenance, and will also serve as a decorative decoration for your garden.
Description of multi-tiered onion variety
The vegetable gets its name from its unusual appearance. On its tall, strong arrows, instead of the usual inflorescences, airy fruits are formed in several tiers. This type of onion has several more names - "viviparous", "horned", "Egyptian".
The feathers of the onion are fistulous, hollow, and especially juicy. The aerial arrow grows into a height of about 40 cm, on which inflorescences are formed first, and then bulbs. An arrow is also formed from the first tier, and then air bulbs are formed. Thus, a plant can have up to 4 tiers.
It should be noted that on the first tier, the bulbs are the largest, up to 3 cm in diameter, weighing up to 25 grams. The higher the layer, the smaller the bulbs become. The inflorescence can have from 3 to 30 heads. The fruits are crispy, spicy, with a dense skin.
Onion greens are tender, juicy, and do not become rough during the entire spring-summer period. Multi-tiered onions are a perennial plant, the highest yield is observed in 2-3 years of growth.
Beneficial features
Multi-tiered onions have a rich vitamin and mineral composition... In terms of its useful properties, it surpasses varieties of onions. It has anti-inflammatory properties and strengthens the immune system. It contains large quantities of carotene and vitamin C. It also contains vitamins E, PP, group B. Calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, which are part of the mineral composition of the product, have a positive effect on the general condition of the body.
With moderate and regular use, this vegetable is able to normalize blood pressure, increase the tone of the heart muscle and vascular walls. Improves skin condition, prevents some stomach diseases, works as an antibacterial agent.
It is not recommended to use the vegetable for people with individual intolerance to the product, high acidity, peptic ulcer and pancreatitis. It is enough to eat 1-2 small onions or 50 g of fresh green feathers per day.
Features of planting and reproduction
Tiered onions can be grown in both northern and southern regions. The plant is unpretentious and gives high yields. There are also no special requirements for the soil, but if the soil is not fertile, then it is necessary to apply organic fertilizers before planting. For planting, it is better to choose an open sunny area, then the plant will bear fruit well for 4-5 years.
Such onions do not produce seeds, therefore reproduction occurs in a vegetative way.
For planting, air bulbs from the second or third tiers are used... It can also be propagated by dividing the mother bush. Bulbs for planting material are harvested at the end of summer, so they have time to take root by the cold and harden enough in the soil. You need to use only non-sprouted heads. In spring, it is convenient to propagate onions by dividing the bushes.
Before planting, the soil must be well loosened, organic fertilizers (cow dung, bird droppings) must be applied. The heads are buried about 4 cm in the ground, at a distance of 6-8 cm from each other. There should be at least 25 cm between rows. This pattern is suitable for large or underground bulbs. If the planting material is small, the distance between the heads should be reduced to 5 cm.
When growing onions in an apartment or in a greenhouse on greenery, the heads are planted in boxes with nutrient soil tightly one after the other and watered abundantly. Fresh greens can be harvested after 20 days.
Care
It is easy to care for a multi-tiered variety, but some features should be taken into account:
- The soil under the plants should not be too wet, otherwise the bulbs may rot.
- It is necessary to loosen the soil weekly to saturate it with oxygen.
- During active growth (at the beginning of summer), the plants should be fed with special mineral fertilizers for vegetable crops.
- When bulbs appear on the green feathers, the arrows must be tied to the support (pegs) so that they do not break off.
- Remove weeds regularly as they appear.
With long-term cultivation you need to start caring for onions in early spring. As soon as the snow comes off the beds, you need to remove any dead feathers from last year. You should also thin out the plants. It is enough to leave 2 heads in each mother socket. The torn roots can be used for planting or eaten.
Cleaning and storage
Onions can be cut for the first time after 25 days... The foliage is cut a second time after 25-30 days. A third cut is not recommended, as the yield of air bulbs will decrease. The bulbs themselves fully ripen at the end of August. They become brown and easily detach from the arrow. After harvesting, they can be planted immediately.
If they are sent for storage, they need to be dried and placed in paper bags. They are well stored in unheated rooms, in attics, in the refrigerator. The bulbs are not afraid of frost, they remain viable even at temperatures of -20 degrees.
It is recommended to store them at about 0 degrees. Non-severed bulbs are better preserved.
Diseases and pests
Multi-tiered bow is disease resistant, but sometimes it is affected by some fungal diseases - powdery mildew, peronosporosis. In this case, the greens are urgently processed with Bordeaux liquid. After a week, repeat the procedure. A solution with soda ash (for 1 liter of water, 1 tablespoon of soda) can also help.
From pests, onions are attacked by weevils and onion flies. To avoid this, dry, rotten feathers and weeds should be removed in time.
In growing, a multi-tiered variety is not difficult. At the same time, it is distinguished by excellent yield and its useful properties. A decorative exotic plant species will decorate your beds with dignity.