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Onions are an indispensable vegetable in cooking. Almost every gardener grows it. There are many varieties in the world, among which Cupid’s onion occupies a special place. From the article you will learn what characteristics this variety is famous for.
Breeding history and variety description
Onions Cupid, also known as Cupido f1, is considered one of the highest yielding. It was bred in Holland and is famous for its large bulbs, the weight of which reaches 150 g.
Cupid is famous for its strong root system, which determines the overall resistance of the variety to a variety of fungal diseases and pests. The only thing Cupid is unarmed before is the cold. The culture is quite thermophilic, therefore it needs reliable shelter for the winter.
The fruits have good transportable qualities, they are stored warm for a long time – about 3-4 months. It is fundamentally important that the taste and appearance of the fruit remain unchanged.
Video “A proven way to plant onions before winter”
From this video you will learn how to properly plant onions before winter.
Onion characteristics and yield
The yield of each hundred square meters of such onions is about 450 kg. The appearance of Cupid is similar to other varieties of culture: yellowish husk color, thin skin, oval shape. The taste characteristics of onions are quite universal: medium sharpness, rich taste.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cupido f1 is considered one of the most sought after crops among gardeners. Such popularity of the variety of onions is due to the presence of the following advantages:
- early boarding;
- early germination of sprouts;
- resistance to many fungal diseases and insect pests;
- plentiful and high-quality harvest;
- excellent taste characteristics;
- high rates of transportability;
- long shelf life of bulbs.
The only drawback of culture is its thermophilicity. In this regard, the onion does not tolerate temperatures down to -10 ° C. That is why growing a variety in the northern regions, which are characterized by harsh winters, requires the creation of a full-fledged shelter.
Features of growing agriculture
The description of the variety of this crop gives every reason to assume that the cultivation of Cupid does not require special efforts and skills. However, the presence of a minimum amount of knowledge regarding the features of planting and breeding will be the key to successful cultivation.
Growing from seeds for seedlings
The variety belongs to biennial crops. Therefore, the first year of cultivation is characterized by the production of sets, and the second – by the ripening of the bulb. However, experienced gardeners manage to fit these processes into one year, which, in turn, ensures a faster harvest. To do this, at the end of autumn, seeds are sown in boxes, and by spring, when the sowing has already formed, the seedlings are transplanted into garden beds.
Site selection and preparation of soil
The onion hybrid is very thermophilic, therefore, when choosing a landing site, preference should be given to a sunny zone, securely sheltered from drafts. An excellent place to grow a crop will be a garden bed near the walls of a house or barn.
For a rich and high-quality harvest, it is important to plant a vegetable in the ground where gourds and legumes used to grow.
The main stages of soil preparation for planting Cupid are digging and fertilizing the earth, cleaning the beds from weeds. Fertilize the soil, as a rule, with natural material: cow manure, chicken manure or compost composition. To cover the landing from wind and frost, you can use hay, dry foliage or spruce branches.
The process of planting seedlings in the ground
Planting seedlings in the ground should be done only when the weather has finally stabilized. Holes must be made at intervals of 12-15 cm from each other, and about 25 cm should be left between the beds.
For planting, it is recommended to select seedlings up to 2 cm in size. It is important to carefully examine the bulb for mold, damage and rot. If there are any, you should choose another set. The aroma of the onion is also important. It should be light, unobtrusive, without foreign impurities.
Before transplanting into the ground, the seedlings should be warmed up for two weeks. This will ensure complete drying of the planting material. Next, it must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate and treated with a composition that promotes rapid growth.
Watering, loosening and weeding
Further planting care involves systematic watering. In the spring, it should not be carried out, since the soil is already wet. In summer, watering is recommended about twice a week. An important point in cultivation is the regular loosening of the soil, which contributes to the penetration of a sufficient amount of oxygen to the root system. Weed beds with sevka should be as necessary.
Additional fertilizing
A couple of weeks after planting, when the culture has already managed to adapt to new conditions, you need to feed. To do this, you can use any nitrogen or phosphorus compounds. An excellent solution would be organic fertilizers: chicken manure, mullein, compost.
Pests, diseases and prevention
Variety Cupid is considered one of the most resistant to various fungal diseases and pests. The only truly dangerous threat to this variety of onions is the onion fly. In order to protect and prevent, it is recommended to regularly spray plantings with special insecticidal preparations.
Harvesting and storage of crops
This type of hybrid onion is characterized by early ripening. As a rule, no more than 4–5 months pass from the moment the seed is planted in the ground until the first harvest. That is, by planting seedlings in early spring, by the beginning of autumn, the gardener will receive the first full-fledged harvest.
Bulb storage does not require special conditions. The variety is characterized by high transportability and a long shelf life, so the harvested crop will lie in the cellar, refrigerator or any other dark cool place for more than six months.
The unpretentiousness of Cupid determines its ability to adapt to almost any environmental conditions. The main thing is to protect the plantings from strong winds and frosts.
Cupid, along with Condor, rightfully occupies a leading position in the list of the most popular onion varieties. The quality of the hybrid variety is confirmed by numerous reviews of gardeners.