What are the sun requirements for Allium cepa 'Bridger'?

Allium cepa 'Bridger' is Bridger onion (Bridger yellow storage onion), a biennial grown as an annual for bulb production, 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) wide. Globe-shaped bulbs 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) diameter with golden-bronze papery skins and white flesh. A long-day storage onion: requires 14-16 hours of daylight for bulbing (latitudes above 36°N). Open-pollinated: seed can be saved. Mild to moderately pungent raw, mellows when cooked. Stores 6-8 months at 32-40°F (0-4°C) when properly cured. Blue-green waxy hollow tubular foliage. In the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). Developed for northern growing regions (zones 3-7). Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen and yellowed (110-120 days from transplant). Cure 2-4 weeks in a warm dry location. All Allium contain thiosulfates: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (Heinz body anemia). Onion maggot (Delia antiqua) and thrips are primary pests. Deer-resistant. Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar developed for northern growing regions. The species A. cepa is native to Central Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L). Long-day storage onion for northern zones (3-7). Stores 6-8 months. Open-pollinated — save seeds. Toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by globe-shaped bulbs with golden-bronze papery skins and white flesh on a plant with blue-green waxy hollow tubular foliage. A long-day storage type. The open-pollinated status distinguishes Bridger from F1 hybrid storage onions. In Amaryllidaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 8"

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 with waxy surface, hollow tubular; 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

110-120 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Long-day onion — 14-16 hours daylight (latitudes above 36 degrees N). Start seed 10-12 weeks indoors. Consistent moisture during bulb swelling. Reduce watering as tops yellow. Stores 6-8 months. Open-pollinated — save seeds. 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), roots to 0.25 inch (6 mm). Cure 2-4 weeks.