What are the sun requirements for Allium cepa 'Yellow Sweet Spanish'?

Allium cepa 'Yellow Sweet Spanish' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Allium cepa 'Yellow Sweet Spanish' need?

Allium cepa 'Yellow Sweet Spanish' has Medium water needs.

Allium cepa 'Yellow Sweet Spanish', Yellow Sweet Spanish Onion

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Vegetables

Allium cepa 'Yellow Sweet Spanish'

Yellow Sweet Spanish Onion

Amaryllidaceae

Open-pollinated cultivar of Spanish type onion; 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 'Yellow Sweet Spanish' is Yellow Sweet Spanish 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. Large flattened globe-shaped bulbs 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) diameter with golden-brown papery outer skins and white to pale yellow flesh. A sweet onion: reduced sulfur compounds and elevated sugar content — mild enough to eat raw. Blue-green hollow tubular foliage. In the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). A long-day onion: requires 14-16 hours of daylight to trigger bulbing (latitudes above 36°N). Open-pollinated: seed can be saved. The thick neck limits storage to 2-4 months — shorter than thin-necked storage types (6-8 months). Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Harvest when 50-75% of tops have fallen and yellowed (110-120 days from transplant). All Allium species contain thiosulfates: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (causes Heinz body anemia). Onion maggot (Delia antiqua) and thrips are the primary pests. Deer-resistant (aromatic). Full sun. Annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar of Spanish type. The species A. cepa is native to Central Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Sweet onion — mild enough for raw eating. Long-day type (latitudes above 36 degrees N). Open-pollinated — save seeds. Stores 2-4 months only. Toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Annual.

How to Identify

Identified by large flattened globe-shaped bulbs 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) with golden-brown papery skins and mild sweet white flesh on a plant with blue-green hollow tubular foliage. Distinguished from storage onions by the thick neck and the mild sweet flavor. Long-day type. 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 greenish-white spherical umbels. Grown as an annual for bulb production. Cut flower scapes immediately if they appear.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to greenish-white spherical umbels on a hollow scape — 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

110-120 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. All Allium toxic to pets. Onion maggot and thrips. Deer-resistant. Stores 2-4 months only. 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 and yellowed. Trim tops to 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) above the neck. Cure 2-3 weeks before storage.