Onions are a great way to add flavor to any dish, and they're also a healthy addition to your diet. But did you know that you can plant a sprouted onion?
It's easy to do, and the results are well worth it – You’ll reap three new onions!
Here, we give you a step-by-step guide for growing onions that have sprouted and all that comes with it.
How Do You Plant an Already Sprouted Onion?
Materials Needed
- Onion (already sprouted)
- Potting soil (to ensure your onion grows effectively)
- Watering can/ Bottle with cap (to water the plant)
Tools
- Board
- Knife
7 Step Guide
Step 1: Slice the Onion
Remove the center sprout of the onion by carefully cutting it lengthwise. Avoid cutting through the root. You can peel them off using your hands, or you can use a knife to cut the onion's layers from the sprouts.
If the layers are firm, you can eat them. However, if they are soft and moist, throw them.
Step 2: Separate the Sprouts
You'll probably notice a few sprouts developing in the middle of the onion bulb. Separate them carefully using your fingers. This separation ensures that each shoot enjoys adequate space.
Your aim should be to grow different onion plants from a single onion sprout.
Step 3: Put the Sprouts in Water
Prepare a container large enough to accommodate the onion sprouts. Fill it with water until just before submerging the roots in the water to keep any larvae in check.
Place your sprouted onion, root side down, in the water. Avoid placing them at an angle. The roots should be facing downwards.
Don't keep your sprouted onions inside a dark chamber. Placing them near a window ensures that they receive adequate sunlight for photosynthesis.
If you don't have a window, use artificial light. Wait until white new roots sprout.
Step 4: Plant Your Sprouted Onion
Have a separate hole for each sprout. Put each sprout at least 4 inches apart for adequate space. You can also separate them by placing them in a pot of soil. Put your sprouted onion upright and cover the root with soil.
Also, cover the soil with mulch to facilitate the growth process. Ensure that the top of the onion, where the sprouts are, remains above ground. This ensures that the sprouts have adequate space to grow.
Step 5: Watering Your Plant
The trick is to keep the soil moist without causing it to become soggy. You can do this by watering your onion once every day and completely letting the water drain out before adding more.
You should plant them in potting soil that doesn't make water stagnate.
Step 6: Fertilizing After Planting
You can use a complete fertilizer for vegetables once your onion starts growing. You'll notice a good number of leaves growing on the sprouted onion.
Step 7: Harvest Onions
After 60 days, you should begin to prepare for the harvest. A bulb is ready for harvest if you see flower stalks and head starts appearing.
Also, check out if the green tops/green sprouts are changing to yellow. At this point, the onion build emerges from the soil, signifying that it’s all ripe for harvest.
After harvesting the onions, keep them dry until they produce a papery outer layer. Get a dehumidifier from Amazon to help in curing your onions. However, you can skip the curing process and eat them right away.
Replant the sprouted onion into new onions!
7 Tips on How to Plant Sprouted Onions
- Be sure to use healthy plants and bulbs. They should not be rotten.
- Plant your sprouted onions in a dry place no more than ½ an inch below the surface. Don't worry about planting them deeper; they will grow regardless of how deep you plant them! They just won't grow as big and sturdy if you plant them too shallow.
- Place the pots in a location with plenty of light but not full sun for at least 4 to 6 hours per day.
- Water sparingly so that the soil doesn't get soggy. Be sure the soil mix is moistened, but avoid having it saturated with water as this can cause root rot problems.
- Be sure to water your sprouted onions regularly. The soil should always be moist to ensure proper root development and growth.
- Plant your harvested sprouted onion in rich topsoil or composting soil. Soil that isn't rich enough will deprive the plant of certain minerals and nutrients it needs to grow properly, preventing growth altogether.
- Protect your sprouted onions from any sort of animal damage/grazing by surrounding them with wire fencing or chicken wire. Cages are also another great option.
Is a Sprouted Onion Safe to Eat?
Yes, as long as the onion is completely cooked before you eat it! Many people will tell you that sprouted onions are healthier for you because they contain even more nutrients than a regular plant.
Just be sure to cook your plant until it's nice and soft, don't just leave it raw or crunchy, and you'll be fine!
When Is the Best Time to Plant an Onion?
You can plant an onion anytime during the growing season. Spring and summer are usually considered high-yielding seasons for outdoor planting, but it's also OK to plant in autumn or winter as well!
You'll just have to be more careful about how to grow your sprouted onions in the elements if it's prime wintertime or extreme heat.
Which Is the Best Location to Plant Your Onion?
Your choice of location is crucial when planting an onion! It's best to be somewhere sunny and not too windy. Be sure you don't plant your sprouted onions in the same spot for several years, as this could attract fungus.
As you grow your own onions, ensure you rotate the onion garden every three years.
Is It Okay to Plant an Onion if It Has Already Started to Sprout?
YES! You can plant sprouted onion bulbs. You can still plant your sprouted onion as long as the bulb is intact and healthy.
As mentioned earlier, just don't try planting them too shallowly, or they won't grow as fast. It's also best to first remove the outer dead skin/layer of the onion to prevent diseases.
Can You Re-grow Green Onions?
Yes, you can re-grow green onions from their white roots. Just eat the green shoots and grow the white root base in an environment with plenty of water and complete fertilizer. T
his ensures the green onion roots grow thick and healthy.