Keravel, organic seeds

Eco Heirloom

Information

Mild, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor are the characteristics of this beautiful onion of French origin. The skin is pink, and the inside is pale pink with deeper pinkish-red rings.

The history of the French pink onions dates back to a monk who brought onions from Portugal to Roscoff in Brittany in the mid-1600s. They were highly valued for their mild flavor. Today, the special onions from Roscoff are protected by a geographic origin designation under the name 'Oignon de Roscoff.'

In the 19th century, the onions were brought to England by farmers from Brittany, who cycled around selling the popular pink onion braids. The onion sellers became known as 'Onion Johnnies.'

Keravel, like other seed onions, should be pre-cultivated and planted out once the frost has passed to fully develop. On Öland and in Skåne, direct sowing can be successful.

One portion contains about 150 seeds.


 

Product number:6075
Scientific name:Allium cepa
Botanic family:Amaryllis plants - Amaryllidaceae
Organic:Yes
Days to maturity:110
Lifespan:Biannual
F1 Hybrid:No
New variety:No
Sowing time:Pre-cultivate: March–April
Sowing depth:1 cm
Germination time:10–20 days
Plant spacing:Sow in groups/10 cm
Row spacing:25–50 cm
Height:40–50 cm
Plant location:Sun
Harvest/blooming:August
Seeds/g:200–300 seeds
Heirloom variety:Yes

Cultivation advice

Sowing

Sow the black seeds about 1cm deep in March-April indoors or in hotbeds. Keep the sowing warm during germination, 20-25°C, preferably. When the seedlings have sprouted put them in a light, airy, cool place. Especially during the last weeks before setting it is important that the temperature not be too high (max. 15°C), because the onions may begin to swell to early believing it to be summer. The plants become sturdier if the foliage is cut now and then to a height of 6 cm. Eat the cut off tops in the same way as spring onion. Set out in a plot as soon as the soil has warmed up a bit and the risk of frost is over. Set the onions shallowly and firmly! Onions develop for a long time and can only be sown outdoors in the southern parts of the country. 

Spacing

Sow 40-60 seeds/meter. Keep a mutual distance of 2-5 cm during pre-cultivation. Keep 10 cm between the plants outdoors and 25-50 cm between the rows! 
Sow 4-500 seeds in a 10 cm wide strip for sets!
250-300 seedlings/m is just about right for growing onion sets.

Harvest

Harvest the onions in dry weather! As soon as the tops of ¼ of the onions have begun to wither and fall, break down the tops of the rest of the onions. Pull them out in a few days and if the weather is dry and mild they can be allowed to remain on the ground for ab. 1 week to dry.  It is, however, safest to place them under a roof in an airy, dry place. You get the best keeping qualities if the onions are allowed to dry in warm air (30°C) for 1 week before trimming and placing them  in a dry, cool space, free of frost.

Seed

200-300 seeds/g, one portion yields 75-100 good seedlings for setting and is sufficient to sow a few meters directly and 20-30 g for 100m.  
A portion contains about 150 seeds.