The life cycle of walking onion plant , also bed as Allium cepa var . proliferum , is quite alone and riveting . Although they are technically biennial , meaning they complete their life cycle over two years , they are commonly treat as perennials due to their power to self - disperse and provide a continuous supply of onions class after year .
The life cycle of walk onion begins with the planting of their lowly electric-light bulb , which are typically about the size of a pearl onion . These bulbs can be planted directly in the solid ground or in container , depending on your orientation and useable space . Once planted , the electric light will shoot fleeceable shoot above the grunge aerofoil .
In the first year of their life cycle , walking onion pore on establishing a strong root system and growing green foliage . The shoots will uphold to elongate and produce leaf throughout the growing season , typically attain a height of 2 - 3 feet . The foliage is slender and grass - comparable , enter the flora an aesthetic appeal .
During the first twelvemonth , walking onion plant may also produce lowly , pearl - sized lightbulb cry bulbil at the top of their stems . These bulblet are essentially miniature onions and serve as a mean of propagation for the flora . As the bulbils senesce , they become heavier and cause the radical to flex downwards , finally rival the dry land . This unequaled characteristic give the plant its name “ walking onion plant . ”
In the second yr of their life cycles/second , the bulblet that have touched the ground will take root and get into new plants . This unconscious process is cognise as “ ego - generation ” or “ walking . ” The bulbils will grow into new onion flora , and the cycle continues .
It is important to notice that take the air onions can be quite fecund in their self - extension . Once a single bulb is plant , it has the potential to produce legion bulblet and produce a perennial onion plant patch . This draw them a wild addition to any garden or landscape painting , as they need minimum travail to maintain and provide a uninterrupted supplying of flavourous onion .
In addition to their self - propagation , walk onions are also know for their ability to survive harsh atmospheric condition atmospheric condition . They are quite resilient and can permit cold temperature , making them worthy for a wide reach of climate . This adaptability adds to their ingathering as a perennial harvest .
To summarize , the life cycle of walk onion plant regard institute little bulbs , which develop into plants with green foliation in the first year . During this time , bulbils are make and finally equal the ground , leading to the ego - multiplication of unexampled onion plants in the second year . This perpetual oscillation allows for a lifelong supply of walk onion , making them an excellent choice for any nurseryman or food enthusiast .
Caroline Bates
