- Authors: Dutch selection
- Name synonyms: Snowball
- Ripening terms: mid-early
- Bulb weight, g: 100-150
- The form: almost round
- Dry scales: white
- Coloring juicy scales: white
- Density: high
- Taste: slightly spicy
- Disease and pest resistance: has a high immunity to diseases, but weakly resists powdery mildew
Snowball onions are a popular onion variety among gardeners. The culture attracts with excellent taste characteristics, high yield and quick survival in almost any soil.
Breeding history
The variety was bred by breeders from Holland. It belongs to a group of plants with a medium early ripening period. Despite its small age, it quickly gained popularity in Russia.
Description of the variety
Snowball is a popular onion variety with a juicy flavor and high yield. The variety is resistant to cold conditions, therefore it is grown in many regions of the country.
Characteristics of the appearance of plants and bulbs
Snowball got its name for its snow-white color and the corresponding shape. Other characteristics include:
shape - almost round;
onion weight - up to 150 g;
dry scales are white;
the color of juicy scales is white.
The high density of the peel makes it possible to transport the onion over long distances. On average, 2 bulbs are formed in the nest, the shelf life of a vegetable is six months, subject to the necessary conditions.
Purpose and taste
The semi-sharp taste of Snowball onions is appreciated by the tasters. The variety is mainly suitable for use in salads, but can also be useful in other dishes or for fresh consumption.
Maturation
The mid-early ripening period guarantees the formation of bulbs after 100 days from the moment of planting the seeds or sowing in the ground.
Yield
Snowball has a high yield. From 1 m2 it is possible to collect up to 4.7 kg of commercial white bulbs, subject to agrotechnical recommendations.
Growing and care
The sowing season for Snowball onions starts in March. Planting is carried out mainly by seedlings, however, some gardeners prefer both seeds and seedlings of seedlings. Before planting in early spring, the site is digged in order to saturate the soil with oxygen, and also fertilize the earth with organic matter.
Regardless of the method of planting, onion seeds also require preparation.
Selection. To begin with, the seed is carefully examined for various deformations and sizes, giving preference to bulbs up to 1 cm in diameter.
Drying. Then the seeds are dried in a warm place for 1-2 days.
Disinfection. It is carried out by soaking the seeds in a saline solution or a special preparation for 3-5 minutes.
Only then can you start planting. If the onion is grown by seedling, the seeds are placed in previously prepared containers with fertile soil. Then cover the pots with polyethylene and put in a warm place until sprouts appear. When growing onions, the seeds are placed in moistened gauze until germination, and then transferred into the ground. In warm regions, onions are grown directly from seeds. Landing scheme.
Up to 11 cm recede between the holes.
21-25 cm are kept between the rows.
Planting depth is 3-4 cm.
At the end, the bulbs are sprinkled with fertile soil and watered abundantly. The next step is caring for the plant. It includes a number of activities.
Watering. Onions are undemanding to watering; on average, it is recommended to add water to the soil 1-2 times a week.At the same time, it is important to take into account climatic and weather conditions, reducing irrigation in rains and increasing irrigation during the dry season.
Top dressing. Fertilize onions 2-3 times per season. For the first time - 14 days after planting, giving preference to organic compounds. Further, the onion is fertilized every month, using mineral complexes.
Loosening and weeding. Mandatory procedures with which it will be possible to accelerate the flow of nutrients to the roots and rid the crop of unwanted pests and diseases. It is recommended to loosen and remove weeds after each watering.
2 weeks before harvesting, it is worth stopping watering the crop in order to prevent the bulbs from starting to rot in the ground.
Since the onion is an unpretentious and cold-resistant plant, it can be planted both in spring and autumn. It is necessary to properly prepare the planting material, competently prepare the garden bed and determine the timing of planting.
Soil requirements
Snowball takes root well in almost any soil. However, to increase the yield indicator, it is worth considering several recommendations for choosing a place for planting:
the soil should be fertile, well lit;
the site should not be exposed to drafts;
the groundwater level should be low.
If the site is located in a lowland, it is worth considering drainage.
The bow is not as unpretentious as it seems. For good growth, you need fertile soil, quality care and nutritious fertilizers. Without top dressing, the bulbs will grow small, and the greens will not be lush. At different stages, it should be fed with different substances. The vegetable needs organic and mineral feeding. A good result for fertilizing onions is the use of folk remedies.
Disease and pest resistance
The variety is distinguished by strong immunity and demonstrates excellent resistance to most diseases and pests characteristic of onions. But if you provide improper care of the crop, then there is a high probability of rapid death of the plant or a decrease in the yield indicator. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to decontaminate seeds, as well as prophylactic spraying of the culture during the period of active growth.
Despite the fact that the onion is a very useful plant, capable of repelling and killing many microbes and bacteria, it itself is often damaged and suffers from various misfortunes. Diseases and pests of onions can significantly reduce the yield. It is necessary to correctly determine the presence of this or that disease and take appropriate measures in time.
Review overview
Gardeners leave positive reviews about Snowball. Among the advantages of the variety are:
frost resistance;
high productivity;
good keeping quality;
excellent survival rate.
And also gardeners note the excellent taste of onions.