What are the sun requirements for Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet'?

Allium cepa 'Texas Super Sweet' is Texas Super Sweet onion, a biennial grown as an annual for bulb production, 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) wide. Large flattened globe-shaped bulbs 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) diameter with golden-tan papery skins and white juicy flesh. A short-day sweet onion: bulbs at 10-12 hours of daylight (latitudes below 35°N). Developed for the Texas 1015 program — named for the target planting date (October 15) in south Texas. The largest of the short-day sweet types: bulbs routinely reach 1 pound (0.45 kg). Blue-green hollow tubular foliage. In the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). F1 hybrid — seed does not produce true to type. The thick neck and high water content limit storage to 2-4 weeks — use fresh only. This is a significant limitation for gardeners seeking storage onions. Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost, or fall-plant in zones 7-10 (October 15 in south Texas). Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen (110-130 days from transplant). All Allium contain thiosulfates: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Deer-resistant. Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

F1 hybrid cultivar developed for the Texas 1015 program. The species A. cepa is native to Central Asia.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Short-day sweet onion — the largest short-day type. Stores 2-4 weeks only — use fresh. F1 hybrid. Toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by large flattened globe-shaped bulbs 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) with golden-tan skins and mild sweet juicy white flesh on a plant with blue-green hollow tubular foliage. The large size (routinely 1 lb) and the short-day requirement distinguish Texas Super Sweet. In Amaryllidaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread4" - 6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Biennial: flowers in the second year if overwintered — white spherical umbels. Grown as an annual for bulb production. Cut flower scapes at the base if they appear.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White spherical umbels — only if allowed to bolt; undesirable

Foliage Description

Blue-green, hollow tubular, 0.5-0.75 inch (12-18 mm) diameter; yellows at maturity

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

110-130 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Short-day onion — 10-12 hours daylight (latitudes below 35 degrees N). Fall-plant October 15 in south Texas, or spring-plant. Consistent moisture. Stores 2-4 weeks only — use fresh. F1 hybrid. All Allium toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

Pruning

Cut flower scapes at the base if they appear. Do not cut green foliage during growth. Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen. Trim tops to 1 inch (2.5 cm). Minimal curing — thin skins and high water content.