Growing advice
To provide our customers with an excellent service, we have developed a cultivation guide. Naturally, you are always welcome to contact us for up-to-date advice.
Cultivation advice table
| Mika | Julia | Saskia | Tina | Donna | Hoza | Rolein | Romy | ||
| Soil type PH KCl above 5.5 | South NL | 10-35% | 10-40% | 15-50% | 18-55% | 15-50% | 18-60% | 10-45% | 15-50% |
| Soil type PH KCl above 5.5 | North NL | 10-40% | 10-45% | 15-55% | 18-60% | 15-55% | 25-65% | 10-55% | 15-60% |
| Fertilization per ha. Incl. soil reserve | Nitrogen | 175KG | 175KG | 150KG | 140KG | 150KG | 125KG | 125KG | 125KG |
| Fertilization per ha. Incl. soil reserve | Phosphate | 120KG | 120KG | 120KG | 120KG | 120KG | 120KG | 120KG | 120KG |
| Fertilization per ha. Incl. soil reserve | Potash | 250KG | 250KG | 250KG | 250KG | 250KG | 250KG | 275KG | 275KG |
Sowing time
On drought-sensitive soil, from the end of February onwards. On soil susceptible to compaction, not before the end of March. Sowing should be carried out on firm, moist soil that has been prepared whilst dry to a depth of no more than 3 cm.
Weed and disease control
In accordance with the regulations in force at the time. You can contact us at any time for the latest advice.
Irrigation
Only under extremely dry conditions. Start at an early stage. Stop irrigation as soon as the foliage begins to wilt. This is to prevent a loss of quality due to fungal infection.
Do not irrigate at high temperatures either, due to the risk of bacterial infection
MH treatment
As soon as the foliage begins to wilt. Under favourable conditions, use the recommended amount of product and water, plus an adhesion/spreader agent, e.g. Disigner. It is preferable to carry out the treatment in the evening.
Do not stop controlling fungal diseases after your MH spraying!!!
Harvest time
As soon as 50 per cent of the foliage has died back. Delaying harvesting any longer increases the risk of bare onions and loss of colour. The foliage should not be cut too short – i.e. above the top leaf lobe – to prevent the spread of various fungal diseases.
Charging
If the crop is harvested in good time, a field-drying period of a few days is recommended. A crop harvested too late (completely dead) should be threshed a few hours after harvesting.
Storage
After bringing them in, dry them using air heated to a maximum of 20°C. Continue this drying process until the onions are thoroughly dry. You can check this by holding the neck of the onion between your thumb and forefinger. If it no longer ‘rolls’, the moisture has been removed and the onion is thoroughly dry. The temperature can then be reduced by approximately 0.5°C per day. The recommended storage temperature is approximately 5°C. During warm, humid periods when ventilation with outside air is not possible, internal ventilation should be provided for approximately 2 hours per 24-hour period.
Summary
Broadly speaking, what this means is that when a grower cultivates and stores their onions based on their own experience and judgement, this usually yields the best results. Soil, weather conditions and market conditions are never the same.
Looking for
the right onion variety?
Would you like to know which variety is best suited to your soil type, growing strategy or target market? Please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to help you find the right solution.