YELLOW BULB VARIETIES
A biennial herbaceous plant, the onion belongs to the Lily family and has a medium-sized bound root system that extends horizontally for approximately 20 centimeters, and approximately 25-30 centimeters deep.
The edible portion is a bulb consisting of an enlarged portion of the bottom of the leaves, which are inserted into each other in a very short stalk known as the "heart".
Although widely adaptable, the onion prefers medium-grain, loose soil. It also adapts to clay-based soils as long as they are cool, deep and rich with organic substance; its ideal growing conditions are when the pH is around 6-7.
Native to temperate climates, this vegetable species is highly adaptable to Italian climate conditions, especially those in regions such as Emilia-Romagna. The most suitable locales are those that are well-ventilated, dry, and exposed to the sun.
Crops are classified based on the shape (extended, tapered, oval, spherical, sub-spherical, flat), the color of the outer tunic (white, yellow, red and purple), and the light period (short day, long day, neutral day).
Yellow bulb varieties include local crops such as the Parma Golden and Mondragone Yellow, as well as hybrids such as ISI 711 F1 and Density (long day), Sonic F1, ISI 306, Spring Sun F1, Aldobo and Alix, all short day varieties.

THE CALENDAR FOR YELLOW BULB VARIETIES

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Harvest period

Market presence

MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS
Appearance
Straw-yellow bulb for precocious varieties, and golden yellow for later varieties

Colour
The internal tunics are pale yellow-white in color

Shape
Rounded or globular

Gauge
Medium-large

Flavor and texture
Sweet flavor for precocious varieties, pungent for later varieties

Sale period
January through December

Storage
Onions should be stored in well-ventilated warehouses or sheds: To delay the sprouting process, the temperature should be above 0 °C and below 25 °C.
In these conditions, the most adaptable varieties may be stored for 60-90 days.

Things to avoid
Do not store in damp, poorly ventilated areas which encourage sprouting.

WHITE BULB VARIETIES
A biennial herbaceous plant, the onion belongs to the Lily family and has a medium-sized bound root system that extends horizontally for approximately 20 centimeters, and approximately 25-30 centimeters deep.
The edible portion is a bulb consisting of an enlarged portion of the bottom of the leaves, which are inserted into each other in a very short stalk known as the "heart".
Although widely adaptable, the onion prefers medium-grain, loose soil. It also adapts to clay-based soils as long as they are cool, deep and rich with organic substance; its ideal growing conditions are when the pH is around 6-7.
Native to temperate climates, this vegetable species is highly adaptable to Italian climate conditions, especially those in regions such as Emilia-Romagna. The most suitable locales are those that are well-ventilated, dry, and exposed to the sun.
Crops are classified based on the shape (extended, tapered, oval, spherical, sub-spherical, flat), the color of the outer tunic (white, yellow, red and purple), and the light period (short day, long day, neutral day).
White bulb varieties include local crops such as the Chioggia White, Margherita White, Early Barletta and Pompeii White, preferably eaten fresh, while long-term crops include the Blanco Duro, Silver Late, and Himera F1.

THE CALENDAR FOR WHITE BULB VARIETIES

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Harvest period

Market presence

MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS
Appearance
White bulb

Colour
The internal tunics are white in color

Shape
Rounded

Gauge
Medium-large

Flavor and texture
Sweet flavor

Sale period
January through December

Storage
Onions should be stored in well-ventilated warehouses or sheds: To delay the sprouting process, the temperature should be above 0 °C and below 25 °C.
In these conditions, the most adaptable varieties may be stored for 60-90 days.

Things to avoid
Do not store in damp, poorly ventilated areas which encourage sprouting.

RED BULB VARIETIES A biennial herbaceous plant, the onion belongs to the Lily family and has a medium-sized bound root system that extends horizontally for approximately 20 centimeters, and approximately 25-30 centimeters deep.
The edible portion is a bulb consisting of an enlarged portion of the bottom of the leaves, which are inserted into each other in a very short stalk known as the "heart".
Although widely adaptable, the onion prefers medium-grain, loose soil. It also adapts to clay-based soils as long as they are cool, deep and rich with organic substance; its ideal growing conditions are when the pH is around 6-7.
Native to temperate climates, this vegetable species is highly adaptable to Italian climate conditions, especially those in regions such as Emilia-Romagna. The most suitable locales are those that are well-ventilated, dry, and exposed to the sun.
Crops are classified based on the shape (extended, tapered, oval, spherical, sub-spherical, flat), the color of the outer tunic (white, yellow, red and purple), and the light period (short day, long day, neutral day).
For red bulb varieties, the most widespread in Italy are the Tropea Red, Florence Red and Milan Blood Onion.

THE CALENDAR FOR RED BULB VARIETIES

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Harvest period

Market presence

MINIMUM QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS
Appearance
Red bulb

Colour
The internal tunics are reddish-white in color

Shape
Rounded or top-shaped

Gauge
Medium-large

Flavor and texture
Slightly pungent flavor

Sale period
January through December

Storage
Onions should be stored in well-ventilated warehouses or sheds: To delay the sprouting process, the temperature should be above 0 °C and below 25 °C.
In these conditions, the most adaptable varieties may be stored for 60-90 days.

Things to avoid
Do not store in damp, poorly ventilated areas which encourage sprouting.

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