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In the cold season, there is a lack of fresh herbs rich in vitamins. After all, it is not always possible to buy it in a store, and its quality is questionable. Therefore, if desired, you can grow green onions in a plastic bottle. To do this, you only need to properly prepare the container, nutrient substrate, planting material and further provide the necessary conditions and care. Therefore, it is worth figuring out how to properly organize a bed on the windowsill in order to have fresh greens when there is still snow outside the window.
Is it possible to grow onions in a bottle on greens
You can grow onions for greens in a plastic bottle, like any other container. Using this container allows you to get a good harvest and save space on the windowsill for other plants. Therefore, this method of growing is now one of the most popular. But it is worthwhile to understand that in order for the idea to be successful, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for planting and further caring for plants.
The advantages and disadvantages of the method
The method of growing green onions in a plastic bottle on the window has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before using it, you need to familiarize yourself with them in advance.
The main advantages:
- fresh herbs at any time of the year;
- availability;
- space saving;
- long harvest period;
- easy planting care.
Disadvantages:
- the need for careful preparation of containers, substrate;
- painstaking work during landing.
Suitable varieties
You can grow onions in plastic bottles for greens of different varieties. But there are certain types that show maximum performance and are characterized by a high content of vitamins and minerals.
Recommended onion varieties for growing in a plastic bottle on a windowsill:
- Rostov.
- Karatalsky.
- Chalcedony.
- Slime.
- Schnitt.
- The shawl.
How to plant onions in a plastic bottle
To get enough fresh herbs, it is recommended to grow onions in a five-liter plastic bottle on the windowsill. But before you start planting, you must first prepare the container and fill it with a suitable substrate. Any ignorance of the recommendations in this case may cause failure.
Bottle preparation
For growing onions on greens, you can use any plastic bottles from 1 to 5 liters. But the wider the bottom of the tank, the more convenient it is to land. The container must first be rinsed and dried.
Then it is necessary to initially cut off the neck of the plastic bottle to its widest part, so that it is convenient to pour the earth and lay out the bulbs. Drainage holes should be made in the bottom of the container to remove excess water. After that, on the surface of the plastic bottle, draw holes for the bulbs with a marker. Moreover, they need to be arranged taking into account the diameter, the larger it is, the farther apart from each other so that the onion is well lit during the growth process.
The bottom row of holes should be at a height of 6 cm from the bottom, and the subsequent ones every 2 cm. There should be 5-6 cm of space from the last tier to the top of the plastic container. The markup must be applied in a checkerboard pattern.
Cut holes with scissors or a utility knife. Experienced gardeners recommend first collecting water in a container and freezing it. In this case, making holes will be much easier, since the plastic will stop bending. When cutting holes, you need to act slowly so as not to get hurt on the sharp edge. At the final stage of preparing a plastic container, it is necessary to pour a layer of drainage 1-2 cm thick on the bottom.
Soil preparation
Growing onions in a five-liter or other bottle is not difficult if you use the right substrate, namely, it must have good moisture and breathability, be loose and neutral. You can buy it in a specialized store, choosing marked “universal”.
You can prepare a suitable soil yourself at home. To do this, it is recommended to mix peat, humus and sod in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. Also, in addition to the soil, you can add 30 g of wood ash and mix everything thoroughly. In the absence of peat, it is recommended to replace it with coconut fiber or vermiculite.
The soil 2-3 days before planting should be watered with a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate and slightly dried until a characteristic flowability appears. This will allow it to be disinfected and prevent the development of soil fungi and bacteria.
Preparation of planting material
Onion bulbs also need preparation before planting. To do this, you must first of all lead the selection of specimens, with a diameter of 2-4 cm, without signs of rot and mechanical damage.
After that, the selected bulbs are immersed in hot water with a temperature of + 50-55 ° C. But first you need to add a little potassium permanganate to it so that the liquid acquires a pink tint. After 20 minutes, put the bulbs in cold clean water and leave for ten minutes. After the waiting period, take out the planting material, dry it and cut off the top by 1-1,5 cm.
Rules for planting onions in plastic bottles on greens
Planting onions on a feather in a plastic bottle consists of several successive stages, the further growth of greenery depends on the implementation of which.
Algorithm of actions:
- At the bottom of the container, pour nutrient soil over the drainage so that it reaches the bottom holes.
- Moisten it liberally and lightly compact.
- Arrange the prepared onions so that the cut edge comes out into the hole.
- Sprinkle the top with the substrate to the next row of holes.
- In the future, repeat the procedure until the container is completely filled.
- Top bulbs should be planted vertically, close to each other.
At the end of the procedure, the structure must be placed in a deep pan and transferred to the windowsill.
Necessary conditions and care
For the successful cultivation of green onions in a plastic bottle with soil, it is necessary to provide favorable conditions. It is not difficult to do this if you properly organize the care of the culture and choose the best place for it on the windowsill.
It is not recommended to fertilize greens in the process of growing on a window due to its accelerated growth rate. After all, the bulb contains a sufficient supply of nutrients. The use of fertilizers can provoke the accumulation of nitrates in the crop.
Lighting
Onion growth directly depends on its illumination. Therefore, southern and southwestern windows are optimal for him. In the process of green growth, the structure must be periodically rotated, which will ensure a uniform growth of the feather. If it is necessary to get a quick harvest, it is recommended to turn on an additional lamp in the evening, hanging it at a height of 30 cm above the bottle.
Temperature
After planting in the first week, it is necessary to ensure the maintenance of onions within + 23-25 ° С. This temperature contributes to the rapid rooting of the bulbs. In the future, the mode can be lowered to + 18-20 ° C, which contributes to a uniform growth of the feather.
Humidity
Successful cultivation of feather onions in a bottle requires regular watering and a moderate level of humidity. The taste of greens directly depends on this. After all, onions belong to the category of moisture-loving crops. Therefore, poor moisture and regular drying of the substrate in a plastic container provokes the appearance of excessive sharpness. In this regard, it is necessary to water the onions as the soil dries out in the bottle abundantly. During humidification, excess water should flow out of the holes, which is normal.
In this case, you need to ensure that the substrate in the bottle has time to dry slightly between waterings. Otherwise, stagnant moisture can lead to rotting of the bulbs, the appearance of insects. For watering onions, it is recommended to use settled water at room temperature.
Also, in addition, in especially hot periods, it is necessary to spray the greens from a spray bottle to prevent it from wilting. It is necessary to carry out the procedure in the morning or in the evening, spraying water around the plants in the form of a mist.
Harvest Rules
Collection of greenery can be carried out as it grows. The first harvest ripens 2-3 weeks after planting the onion in a plastic bottle with soil at a moderate temperature. Cut with a knife or scissors.
The crop can be harvested for two months. In the future, the bulbs lose their potential, and this leads to a slow growth of the pen, the loss of taste and useful qualities. If it is necessary to grow greenery all year round, new bulbs should be planted every month so that the bed on the windowsill constantly produces a crop.
Conclusion
Growing onions in a plastic bottle is not so difficult if you organize the process correctly. First of all, it involves the preliminary preparation of containers and planting material, as well as the placement of bulbs in containers, taking into account their development. In the future, caring for such a bed on the windowsill will not be particularly difficult, the main thing is to water moderately and create favorable conditions for the growth of the feather.