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

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Vegetables

Allium cepa 'Red Wing'

Red Wing Storage Onion

Amaryllidaceae

F1 hybrid cultivar; the species A. cepa is 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, 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 deep burgundy to reddish-purple papery outer skins and white to cream flesh with purple-tinted outer layers. A storage onion: stores 6-8 months at 32-40°F (0-4°C) — one of the longest-storing red onions. Blue-green hollow tubular foliage. In the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). An F1 hybrid — seed does not produce true to type. Long-day type: requires 14-16 hours of daylight to trigger bulbing (latitudes above 36°N). Moderately pungent raw, mellows when cooked. The thin neck dries quickly during curing, sealing the bulb — this is the key to long storage. Distinguished from 'Walla Walla' by: pungent (not sweet), thin neck (not thick), 6-8 month storage (not 2-3 months), burgundy-red skin (not golden-tan). Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen and yellowed (105-120 days from transplant). Cure for 2-4 weeks before storage. All Allium contain thiosulfates: 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.

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). Long-storing red onion (6-8 months). Long-day type (latitudes above 36 degrees N). F1 hybrid — cannot save true seed. Toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by globe-shaped bulbs with deep burgundy to reddish-purple papery skins and white flesh with purple-tinted outer layers on a plant with blue-green hollow tubular foliage. The thin neck and the burgundy skin distinguish Red Wing from sweet onions. Long-day storage 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 lavender spherical umbels. Grown as an annual for bulb production. Cut flower scapes immediately if they appear.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale lavender spherical umbels on a hollow scape — only if 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

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained fertile soil pH 6.0-7.0. Long-day onion — 14-16 hours daylight for bulbing. Start seed 10-12 weeks indoors. Consistent moisture during bulb swelling. Reduce watering as tops yellow. Cure 2-4 weeks before storage. Stores 6-8 months at 32-40 degrees F (0-4 degrees C). 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 2-4 weeks in a warm dry location.