Onion Ailsa Craig [Allium cepa]

The annual onion 'Ailsa Craig' is an early, fast-growing, cold-tolerant, and large variety with tall, round, straw-yellow bulbs. It has an excellent mild and sweet flavor without the characteristic pungency. It is ideal for raw consumption. Ideal for direct sowing or pre-cultivation, pot culture possible, sowing in spring, good for mixed culture, harvesting the fruits.

 Description 
The 'Ailsa Craig' onion is a remarkable annual onion variety from 1887 with its origins in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The fast-growing and very large variety develops tall, round, straw-yellow bulbs. The popular old variety is one of the largest and earliest vegetable onions and reaches a diameter of up to 20 cm and a weight of up to 2.5 kg. The taste of the cold-tolerant variety is excellently mild, sweet and free of the characteristic, sharp onion taste. It is ideal for eating raw. Mature bulbs can be stored for up to 2 months.

 General information 
Plant family: Amaryllidaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 130 days
Plant height approx.: 30 cm
Root type: Shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -5°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6.5 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 15-20 days
Plant and row spacing: 10x25 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Savory, Dill, Cucumber, Tomato, Strawberry, Spinach, Lettuce, Camomile, Carrots, Marjoram, Beetroot, Salsify, Zucchini, Rose, Fruit trees, Parsnip
Unfavorable mixed culture: Artichoke, Potato, Cabbage, Bean, Pea, Leek, Garlic

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation from January to April or in autumn from September to November. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation from March to May. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
We recommend direct sowing in rows or pre-cultivation in small bowls or directly in seed trays. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow to a height of around 20 cm and stable stems, then plant them out directly at the specified planting distance. Or sow around 5 seeds together directly in small pots or seed trays and plant them directly in the prepared bed when the root ball has sufficiently developed roots.
Onion 'Ailsa Craig' prefers a permeable, nutrient-rich, moist and humus-rich loamy soil. Also thrives in sandy loam soils. Doesn't tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loose, nutrient-rich and moist soil is fundamentally important for growth and the formation of large, high-quality bulbs. Depending on the condition of the soil, fertilization is recommended after 8 weeks.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Allium cepa
English names: Onion
German names: Zwiebel
Portuguese names: Cebola
Spanish names: Cebolla
French names: Oignon

 Origin 
Country: Portugal