GROWING OF ONIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 3

GROWING OF ONIONS

BEST TIME TO SOW SEED. There is some difference o£ opinion as to the best time for sowing. Some advocate sowing about the middle of April, but for Masterton, March is better. When the seedlings are about I Jin high they should be pricked out into boxes, using a slightly rougher mixture of similar compost, but adding 6in potful of bone meal to every bushel of soil. Give thorough watering in, and again place the boxes near the roof glass, where the temperature ranges from 55 degrees to 60 degrees. Frequent light syringings during the day are beneficial at this period. Directly the plants begin to root freely they should be removed to a more airy position, such as a brick pit or on shelves in the greenhouse, close to the glass; either place will answer admirably. The surface of the soil should be frequently stirred witli a pointed stick, and the young onions be damped overhead lightly, twice daily. The next business will be the removal of the plants to a cold frame. Gradually harden them off, removing the lights entirely whenever the weather is suitable.

These plants raised under glass and properly treated will give the best exhibition bulbs and, although the ordinary outside-raised plants are good enough for general purposes, where exhibition onions are required it is a good plan to sow a packet of some well-known exhibition varieties in this manner and make up a special bed of onions for the purpose.