Notes:
Prefers a sunny location in a light well-drained soil but tolerates most soils. Does not grow well on heavy clays. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7 and tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3.
This is a genuinely perennial form of A. cepa that is widely grown in temperate and tropical areas for its edible bulbs. These are milder but smaller than the onion and there are several named forms. The plant is easier to grow than onions, matures faster and keeps better, though yields are lower. Plants are very tolerant of high temperatures up to 86°F and bulbing only occurs at temperatures above 68°F. Plants rarely produce viable seed in temperate areas, they are usually propagated by means of their bulbs, each one dividing up in the growing season to produce from 2 to more than 12 new bulbs.
Bulbs can become infected with virus, so it is important to only plant clean stock.
Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beets and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a poor companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagation: Plant out bulbs in late winter or very early spring. Plant firmly to half the bulbs depth and protect from birds until the bulbs have rooted. (Birds seem to have a fascination for pulling the bulbs out of the ground and then leaving them lying on the surface.) Traditionally, bulbs were planted on the shortest day and harvested on the longest. Smaller bulbs are less likely to bolt as a result of exposure to cold conditions.
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