What are the sun requirements for Allium cepa 'Red Wing'?

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Allium cepa 'Red Wing' need?

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' has Medium water needs.

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' (Red Wing Storage Onion) growing in a vegetable garden showing characteristic deep reddish-purple bulbs and blue-green foliage

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Vegetables

Allium cepa 'Red Wing'

Red Wing Storage Onion

Amaryllidaceae

F1 hybrid cultivar; parent species native to Central Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Width6-8 inches (15-20 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Deer Resistant Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Allium cepa 'Red Wing' is Red Wing storage onion, a biennial grown as an annual for bulb production, reaching 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) tall and 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) wide. Plants produce globe-shaped bulbs 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) in diameter with deep burgundy to reddish-purple papery outer skins and white to cream flesh with purple-tinted outer layers. 'Red Wing' is a storage cultivar that holds for 6–8 months at 32–40°F (0–4°C) — a storage window matched by few other red onion cultivars. Foliage is blue-green hollow tubular. 'Red Wing' is an F1 hybrid — saved seed does not grow true to type. The cultivar is a long-day type, requiring 14–16 hours of daylight to trigger bulbing, which restricts production to latitudes above 36°N. Flavor is moderately pungent raw and mellows in cooking. The thin neck dries quickly during curing, sealing the bulb — the structural key to extended storage. Separated from 'Walla Walla' by pungent (not sweet) flavor, thin (not thick) neck, 6–8 month (not 2–3 month) storage, and burgundy-red (not golden-tan) skin. Seed is started indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost. Harvest occurs when 50–75% of the tops have fallen and yellowed, at 105–120 days from transplant. Bulbs cure for 2–4 weeks before storage. All Allium contain thiosulfates and are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (Heinz body anemia). Onion maggot (Delia antiqua) and thrips are the primary pests. Deer-resistant. Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate. Family Amaryllidaceae.

Native Range

'Red Wing' is an F1 hybrid cultivar. The parent species Allium cepa is native to Central Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of 3 gallons (11 L) or larger. The 6–8 month storage capacity suits home gardens that use onions through winter and into spring. Long-day bulbing requirement limits production to latitudes above 36°N. F1 hybrid — saved seed does not grow true. All Allium are toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by globe-shaped bulbs 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) with deep burgundy to reddish-purple papery skins and white flesh showing purple-tinted outer layers, carried on a plant with blue-green hollow tubular foliage. The thin neck combined with the burgundy skin separates 'Red Wing' from sweet onions (which carry thicker necks and paler skins). Long-day storage type. F1 hybrid. In the 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 lavender spherical umbels on a hollow scape. The cultivar is grown as an annual for bulb production, and any flower scapes that appear are cut at the base immediately because flowering reduces bulb size and storage quality.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale lavender spherical umbels on a hollow scape — only if the plant is allowed to bolt; flowering is undesirable in bulb production

Foliage Description

Blue-green; hollow tubular; 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) diameter; yellows naturally 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

105-120 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant outdoors after frost risk has passed in full sun (6+ hours direct sunlight) in well-drained fertile loamy soil at pH 6.0–7.0. The long-day bulbing requirement (14–16 hours daylight) restricts production to latitudes above 36°N. Seed is started indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost date and transplanted at 4-inch (10 cm) spacing. Consistent moisture through the bulb-swelling phase supports size; watering is reduced as the tops begin to yellow to harden the bulb for storage. Harvest occurs when 50–75% of the tops have fallen and yellowed (105–120 days from transplant). Cured bulbs store 6–8 months at 32–40°F (0–4°C). The cultivar is an F1 hybrid — fresh seed is purchased each year rather than saved. All Allium contain thiosulfates and are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Pruning

Flower scapes are cut at the base if they appear during the first season because flowering reduces bulb size and storage quality. Green foliage is not cut during growth. Harvest occurs when 50–75% of the tops have fallen; tops are trimmed to 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the neck and roots to 0.25 inch (6 mm). Bulbs cure 2–4 weeks in a warm dry airy location before long-term storage.