Cipollotti Rossi
Like the bulbing onions, most varieties of bunching onions grow best during the fall and winter months in Kihei. Cipollotti Rossi and Crimson Forest had good germination during the coolest winter months and very low germination and slow growth as the temps heated up in the spring.
Cipollotti and Crimson have intense red-violet skins. The Cipollotti were the most beautiful bunching onion I've grown.
The Cipollotti were predominately white below the surface but the violet coloration went much deeper in Crimson Forest. The Crimson were beautiful when sliced into an omelet or fritatta.
Shimonita Negi
Shimonita Negi was also a cool season onion - it had good germination during the winter months. Shimonita Negi seeds are widely available.
Shimonita Negi was also a cool season onion - it had good germination during the winter months. Shimonita Negi seeds are widely available.
Cipollotto da Mazzi had excellent germination during the cooler months and lower germination in the heat. Even though germination was lower, I was able to grow them through June.
Bianca di Lucca
Bianca di Lucca had the best germination of all the bunching onions I trialed during the summer but seeds are not consistently available.
Bunching onions need 3 to 4 months to grow from seed to maturity but they can be pulled at any time. They need full sun, daily water and twice-monthly applications of fish emulsion. They grow well in containers with a potting soil depth of at least 7 inches. I amend the soil with well rotted compost, green sand and a natural or organic all-purpose fertilizer.
The green portion of the onions did show some evidence of damage from a small sucking type of insect, especially during the summer. Bunching onions don't seem to be bothered by any other Kihei bugs or the seasonal larvae/worms.
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