Alpha has been a leader among early varieties of onions for more than a year. Preference is given to him by both professionals and amateurs. A native of Great Britain pleases gardeners with good germination and super-early ripening.
Description and characteristics of the variety
The variety belongs to early ripening. It has high rates of keeping quality. Productivity is 250 kg / ha.
Fruit characterization
It forms round bulbs, the average weight of which is 110 g. The scales have a golden color, which acquires a brown hue as it dries. The fruit tastes juicy, sharp, with a bitter aftertaste.
Ripening time
The ripening period is approximately 50 days from the moment of planting. Ripening period depends on weather conditions.
Did you know? The first onion images were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Disease resistance
Alpha is highly resistant to disease. Not very susceptible to pest attacks.
Advantages and disadvantages
- The advantages include:
- early ripening;
- disease resistance;
- high yielding capacity;
- frost resistance;
- high rates of keeping quality.
The disadvantage of this variety is its soil requirements. Since this onion is planted early and reaches maturity very quickly, it needs good soil and top dressing.
Growing Features
Like any culture, Alpha has its own growing characteristics.
Seat selection
For landing, you should choose a flat, well-lit place. It is not recommended to plant onions in the lowlands, because, having absorbed excess moisture, it will significantly reduce the rate of keeping. Also, when planting too early, the sevc, due to its small size, may freeze.
The timing
Alpha is planted in early spring, subject to a constant average air temperature of at least 10 ° C. The ripening period is 40-60 days and depends on factors such as:
- humidity;
- ambient temperature
- amount of sunlight.
Did you know? During heat treatment, onions retain almost all useful properties.
Soil composition
Onion Alpha is more demanding on the composition of the soil than its counterparts. If the soil for planting is not fertile enough, you must first make organic fertilizers. In addition, onions prefer slightly alkaline soil. Too acidic soil should be alkalinized.
It is best to use dolomite flour for liming plots.
Features of planting seed in open ground
Outdoor cultivation has a number of advantages, and with respect to planting technology and proper care does not cause difficulties.
Under the winter
When planting sowing in the winter, it turns out to harvest much earlier. Plant onion sets in mid-October. The planting pattern is standard: row spacing 30 cm, width between plants 5–10 cm, planting depth 3–5 cm. Before frost, the beds are mulched, and after warming, the mulch is removed.
Important! The onion planted before winter does not let the arrow out and is stored longer.
In the spring
In spring, planting is done after warming up the soil, approximately in the beginning-mid-May. Before planting, it is necessary to apply nitrogen and organic fertilizers, as well as treat the area with herbicides.
Onions are planted in the same pattern as in the winter.
Landing care
Planting care consists in regular loosening of the soil and cutting arrows. Also, during the period of active vegetation, it is necessary to produce abundant watering, which should be stopped before harvesting. Harvest must be harvested in dry weather, dry well before laying it for storage.
Watering and fertilizing
In the fall, organic fertilizers are applied to the onion plot at the rate of 10 kg / m². Before planting onions, nitrogen fertilizers are applied. The next top dressing - phosphate, is made after the onion has risen.
In addition to top dressing, it needs sufficient watering, especially at the initial stage of vegetation.
Soil cultivation and weeding
To prevent the formation of the earth's crust and in order to ensure oxygen access, the soil is loosened. It must be produced every two weeks after the onion has risen. Together with loosening, it is advisable to weed, because weeds grow faster than onions and can negatively affect the future crop.
Pest and Disease Control
Although the Alpha variety has increased resistance to diseases and pests, it can be attacked under adverse conditions.
| Pests | Ways to fight |
| Onion fly | The fight begins with prevention. After harvesting, the beds are dug up and all plant residues are removed. In the planting season, they are treated with saline. |
| Stealthy hunter | To repel a mixture of tobacco ash with wood ash is used. As a preventive measure, regular loosening of the soil is used. |
| Thrips | In the season, deep cultivation of row spacing is carried out. For the winter, the plot is treated with 0.15% karbofos. With a large lesion, agrochemistry is used. |
| Disease | Ways to fight |
| Peronosporosis | If the lesion is treated with an oxychoma. As a preventive measure, onion sets must be processed by dry heating. |
| Gray rot | Limitation of nitrogen feeding and increase in doses of phosphate. Landing in a well-ventilated area. |
| Fusarium | As a preventive measure, crop rotation should be observed. As a fight, the drug "Hom" is used. |
Harvesting and storage
After planting, the Alpha variety ripens in about 50 days. To understand that onions can be ripened by feathers, they should turn yellow and fly to the ground. Cleaning is done in dry weather. It is not recommended to throw bulbs or knock them on the ground when collecting. Damage received will reduce the safety performance.
For storage at home, nets, wicker boxes, baskets are used.
Before storing for storage, you need to remove the roots and allow the onion to ventilate well and dry in the fresh air. It is recommended to dry in shaded places, avoiding direct sunlight.
Important! Polypropylene bags are not allowed for storage. The onion is not aired in them and begins to rot.
The Alpha variety has several advantages over others, however, like all early varieties, it is inferior in terms of germination and keeping quality to later varieties.
