The onion is a root plant that almost grows secretly in the soil from start to end. These are some of the easiest crops to grow in the field once you know how they grow and what types you should be planting in your growing zone.
Onion’s life cycle involves many stages from start to end and every stage demands keen attention. Some gardeners find onion planting the easiest in the backyard garden but for some, it can be difficult. There are different onion growing stages that you have to keep in mind when you are harvesting this amazing plant.
How Many Phases Are Involved in Onion’s Growth?
There are two or three significant phases of onion growth. These phases may include the vegetative phase, the bulbing phase, and the flowering phase. Sometimes, you prefer only to harvest onions to any flowering or seed head production, this phase would be beneficial if you were planting to save onion seeds so that you could replant them later.
When the seeds emerge from the soil, green leaves will begin to grow. Over time, these leaves will thicken and new leaves continually grow throughout the growing stage. Each new leaf will appear in the form of a ring that grows during the bulbing phase. In this phase, the onion produces 8-12 leaves.
The vegetative phase is slightly simpler than the bulbing phase. The start of the bulbing phase is easy to identify because the soil starts to crack. When the bulbing phase begins, the onion stops producing leaves because it is now using most of its energy to produce the large bulb that you are going to harvest.
Varieties of onion begin to bulb when the sunlight hours per day reaches 13-14 hours. These varieties work well for those living in the middle of the country.
Different Stages Of Onion Growth
There are varieties of onions available in the market like red, white, and sweet onions. Their growth stages may vary from region to region and area to area. Here are the different stages of onion growth:
Germinate a Seed
You can grow indoor onions as well as directly sowing seeds in the garden but for that, you need to pay attention to the climate and the particular type of onion you are growing. You need to plant the seed a little deep in the rich soil and well-draining soil. You need to maintain the ideal soil temperature of 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit for the onion germination.
If you are planting indoor onions, you have to put them underneath a grow lamp or beside the window. The onion seeds begin to germinate within 7 to 10 days. Your starting the seeding of onions will affect the germination rate and growth of plants. Time plays a crucial role in producing high-quality onions at home.
Seedlings
When the onion starts to grow it comes under the category of monocots with a single proto leaf. It used to look like a life blade of grass. After growing cotyledon, the foliage used to appear is now matured foliage. Nitrogen is their primary need to be grown in full size so you need to provide them with sufficient amounts of nitrogen.
Trimming of the plant during this stage helps to encourage more compact growth. To trim the plants make sure to use a sharp blade, it is beneficial to cut onions to 4 inches tall when the seedlings are grown for at least 5 inches.
Vegetative Growth
The stage of Vegetative growth starts here, you need to focus on growing leaves such as bunching and bulb onions. There is a need to maintain healthy foliage even if you are not harvesting them. This plant is used to store energy in their leaves which further develops into bulbs.
A particular type of onion that has direct energy into vegetative growth. The number of days between the sowing and the stage of mature vegetative growth is not the same everywhere because it varies from region to region and area to area, it also depends on the climate and the temperature of a particular place.
Bulb Formation
When the daily sunlight duration matches the length of the bulbing onion, it moves its energy away from the vegetative growth towards bulb initiation. The whole process progresses under the soil, you might observe the changes like the soil cracks as the bulb forms.
This is important not to disturb the plant in order to check the growth of the bulb. The number of leaves and the size may differ from plant to plant because it depends upon the energy you utilize.
Harvesting Leaves
The harvesting of leaves starts when they reach some maturation and bulbs of the onion are grown. You have to be careful while cutting the base leaves of the onion plant. They can be stored in the refrigerator, you can use them later.
The best time to harvest the leaves is when they appear in a vibrant green color, which signifies their peak flavor. This process can be done daily which will help the plant to grow continuously on a daily basis and it will enhance the production of new leaves.
Maturation
This stage indicates the full development of the onion. At this point, the flavor and the texture of the onion reach its peak. The sign of the bulb’s maturation is the wilting of the bottom leaves which shows that the bulb has become mature. The neck of the onion bulbs will be toughened and bent over when it reaches maturity.
This stage marks the climax of the onion’s growth cycle, here its flavor becomes rich and its texture reaches its top quality. It’s the sensitive period for harvesting, ensuring the onions are harvested at their peak for the best taste and storage.
Onion Harvest
You have to make a decision at this stage whether you should harvest the onion or allow the plant to remain in the ground for the next year. This process helps to access the fresh onions while leaving them in the soil for the next year allowing an extended period of onion growth.
This stage needs your preference, it’s totally up to you what you will prefer to do. There are some factors such as the use of onions, the capacity of storage, and the future planning of planting that can help you to make a decision with ease.
There are some signs that make it clear that the onions are ready to harvest such as yellow tops and bulb size. If you notice the onions have turned yellow and the size of bulbs has increased than usual, it will be an obvious point of their maturity.
Leaf Senescence
If you choose not to harvest them, you will observe some changes as winter reaches. The plant will start to show signs of aging. The vibrant green leaves will turn yellow and will start to shrink which is a significant process for the onion life cycle.
There are many causes behind the growth of senescence. When plants stop photosynthesis due to less amount of sunlight can be the reason behind it. The second reason could be the storage of energy that plants store for the next season.
Year 2 Vegetative Growth
When the plants successfully pass dormant in the winter, they will start to grow again in the spring season; this is known as year two vegetative growth. At this stage, the onion plants used to grow new leaves which are the same as the leaves that grew in the previous season.
During this stage, the plant will grow leaves in immense amounts, maybe double the amount and they will be larger in size than the leaves of the previous year. The onion plants are used to grow continuously when they reach maturity.
Flowering Stalk Emergence
As the seasons change and the temperature rises, the plants start to grow. You will notice changes in them. After the vegetative growth, they will show flowering stalks. Their stems will sprout little buds getting ready to bloom. These blooms will energize you with their ever-changing colors.
When the stems appear and blooms emerge, the plant is done growing. Here you will experience the dying moments of onion’s life.
Pollination
Cross-pollination is an important part of the growth stages that is required for seed production when the male part of the onion flower starts to drop the pollen into the female part and prepare it to be fertilized. Insects and wind play crucial roles in the pollination of onions.
During the stage of seed production, the onion plants go out and use up every last nutrient collected in the bulb to get precious seeds. This is an amazing part of the stages of onion’s growth.
Formation of seeds
When the pollination process is successfully completed, the seed starts to grow over the next few weeks. During this phase, it will increase in size and weight as well. The outer shed of the seed will grow hard and will fall to the ground further which will germinate in the spring season.
The seeds which are fully matured and dry, can be harvested. They will start to change their color and texture. There are some steps you have to follow to harvest onion seeds. You will have to wait for the seed to turn back and get fully dry. You will have to shed flower heads so that the seeds get released.
Plant Senescence
The Senescence usually grows in the final stage of the plant life cycle. Senescence begins when the reproductive process ends, nutrient levels decline, and environmental factors like cold temperatures come into play.
During this phase, plants usually appear yellowing, browning, and wilting as they gradually fall. Senescence represents a natural process within the life cycle of onion plants.
Using the Onion Growth Phases to Your Advantage
This comprehensive knowledge about stages of onion growth can be beneficial for you while buying onions from the market. When you are about to buy onions you can make an assumption whether it is of good quality or not. Because the good quality of onions can be stored for a long time.
These phases of onion growth will help you choose a good quality seed to yield the valuable onions in your garden. You can make use of this knowledge to your advantage. It will also help you by saving your energy and money as well.
Conclusion: Onion Growing Stages
It is important to understand the complete onion growing stages. This will prove beneficial for you if you want to cultivate the onion in your garden. Making yourself aware of each stage of their growth is crucial for ensuring their health as well as preserving them for the future.
These stages from germination to senescence provide you with the necessary insight that is important for any gardener to know. These stages can lead you to achieve the best yield of onions in your home garden.
FAQs
How long does it take for onions to form bulbs?
It usually takes 2 to 3 months after planting. It also depends upon the onion variety and growing conditions.
How do I know when onions are ready for harvest?
When their tops start to yellow and fall over, they are ready to harvest. You can easily push back the soil around the bulb to check the size. Mature bulbs should be firm and large in size.
Can onions produce flowers?
Yes, onions can produce flowers, especially when they experience long daylight hours. Most commercial onion varieties are bred to prioritize bulb formation over flowering.
What happens if onions flower?
Flowering can divert energy away from bulb formation, resulting in smaller bulbs. To prevent flowering. It’s important to select the appropriate onion variety for your region and provide the best-growing conditions.