What are the sun requirements for Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple'?

Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple' need?

Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple' has Medium water needs.

Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple', Red Candy Apple Onion

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Vegetables

Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple'

Red Candy Apple Onion

Amaryllidaceae

F1 hybrid cultivar; the species A. cepa is native to Central Asia

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Width6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Deer Resistant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple' is Red Candy Apple 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 burgundy to deep mahogany papery outer skins and white flesh with concentric purple-tinged rings. A red sweet onion: reduced sulfur compounds — mild enough to eat raw. The anthocyanin pigments (burgundy-red skin and purple ring tinting) are partially retained when cooked. Blue-green hollow tubular foliage. In the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). An intermediate-day onion: bulbs at 12-14 hours of daylight (latitudes 32-42°N) — wider geographic range than long-day types. F1 hybrid — seed does not produce true to type. Stores 2-4 months — shorter than pungent storage reds like 'Red Wing' (6-8 months) due to the higher water content of sweet types. Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen and yellowed (110-130 days from transplant). Cure 2-3 weeks. All Allium contain thiosulfates: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (Heinz body anemia). Onion maggot and thrips are primary pests. Deer-resistant. Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

F1 hybrid cultivar. 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). Red sweet onion — mild for raw eating with purple-ringed interior. Intermediate-day type — wider geographic range than long-day. Stores 2-4 months. F1 hybrid. Toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by globe-shaped bulbs with burgundy to mahogany papery skins and white flesh with purple-tinged concentric rings on a plant with blue-green hollow tubular foliage. The burgundy skin with the purple-ringed interior and the mild sweet flavor distinguish Red Candy Apple. Intermediate-day type. F1 hybrid. 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 to pale pink spherical umbels. Grown as an annual for bulb production. Cut flower scapes at the base if they appear.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink spherical umbels — only if allowed to bolt; undesirable in bulb production

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 fertile soil pH 6.0-7.0. Intermediate-day onion — 12-14 hours daylight (latitudes 32-42 degrees N). Start seed 10-12 weeks indoors. Consistent moisture during bulb swelling. Reduce watering as tops yellow. Stores 2-4 months. 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), roots to 0.25 inch (6 mm). Cure 2-3 weeks.