Echallion - Allium cepa var. aggregatum
Full sun.
Jul–Sep depending on sowing time.
Mar–May outdoors after risk of frost.
40–60cm height; 30–50cm spread.
OVERVIEW
A reliable onion / schallot cross producing sweet, mild bulbs with excellent flavour. Plant in well-drained soil and keep weeds down to help bulbs develop. Harvest when foliage yellows and dries. Ideal for sauces, roasting, salads and French-style cooking.
- Vegetable Type: Echallion
- Key Characteristic: Mild, sweet flavour ideal for roasting and French-style dishes.
- Hardiness: Hardy (tolerates normal UK winter conditions).
PLANTING ADVICE
Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Best grown in the ground, though smaller types can be grown in deep containers.
- Outdoor cultivation
Best grown outdoors in well-prepared soil in full sun or light shade depending on crop.
- Greenhouse cultivation
Not suitable for greenhouse cultivation.
CARE & HARVEST
Keep soil moist and weed free. Keep beds free from weeds and avoid overwatering once bulbs begin to swell. Allow foliage to yellow naturally before harvesting and dry bulbs thoroughly before storing.
- Watering: Water while plants are establishing, then reduce watering as bulbs mature to avoid rot.
- Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertiliser in early growth, but stop feeding once bulbs begin to swell.
- Cutting and prunning: Remove any damaged or diseased growth as needed.
- Harvesting: Harvest once tops turn yellow and flop over. Lift and dry thoroughly before storing.
- Pest and diseases: Monitor regularly for pests and remove affected growth promptly.
VERVE RECOMMENDS...
- Harvest little and often to keep plants productive and performing at their best.