Onion Seeds

Onion, sometimes called the plant that brings tears to the eyes and sometimes recognized by its pungent smell, is also known for its medicinal values and its prominent taste in food. Onion has been used since centuries and according to the survey of archaeological departments, they had been cultivated from about 5000 BC. The rings of the onion were considered to be the symbol of eternal life by the ancient Egyptians. Well, nowadays onions are grown across the globe, either from the set bulb or the onion seeds. Onion seeds are considered to be the best option as you get firmer seeds at the time of harvest. In this article we are going to discuss onion seed structure and how to grow onions with the help of seeds.

Onion Seed Description

Onion seeds are angular shaped, rough in texture and as small as a pin head. These black onion seeds are very commonly mistaken to be Nigella Sativa due to their similar appearance. Hence, sometimes Nigella Sativa is known as the onion seeds spice. These seeds are very helpful in growing a full-fledged onion plant. Onion seeds can stay for more than a year if stored properly. They take around 21 days to germinate and do not require intensive care. They can be sown in early spring and can be harvested in the fall winter. If you want to store the seeds you need to avoid moisture so as to restrict the attack of mold. Storing onion is also very easy, but just keep moisture away from them.

How to Grow Onion from Seeds

Growing onions from seeds is very easy and are considered economical too.The following are some of the instructions on how to grow onion from seeds.

• Going further with the onion seeds, for a better quality of onion you need to select the best seeds. You can get the seeds from the nursery according to the type of onion you want to grow in your garden. There are basically two types of onions: short day onion and long day onion. The short day onions need 9 to 10 hours of daylight to set bulb whereas, long day onions need at least 15 hours of day light. Hence, you need to decide among these two types, according to the area place and the amount of sunlight that it receives. Then just select the dry and mold free seeds for your garden and start with planting the onion seeds.
• Onion plant should be sown in the early spring. This gives them a warmer climate. After selecting the seed you need to have a location which can support the onion plant i.e. you need to have a sunny site. The soil should have the pH around 6 to 7 and should be well drained.
• Once you get the right seed and the right place, place the seed approximately 1 inch inside the soil. You can add compost and manure to improve the soil quality. If you are planning to put many seeds in a row then maintain at least a distance of half or one foot between each. Leave the place slightly drained but not wet.
• The growth of the onion plant depends upon the temperature. In lower temperature, the seeds take more time to generate. Hence a slightly high temperature can make everything all right for the onion plant.
• Normal seeds will take 21 days to germinate but green onion seeds will germinate in 12 to 14 days. The bulbs will be ready to harvest in around 7 to 8 months.

Now you know what are onion seeds and how they can be used for growing onions. Onion seeds have no other additional uses and hence, can just be used solely for growing onion plants. Just keep the onion plants away from weeds, keep them moist, and allow them to get lots of light. This will be enough for the magic bulb to grow properly.