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Shetana onion is a Czech variety known to gardeners and farmers for over 20 years. It has tangible advantages – a pleasant peninsular taste, high yield, resistance to diseases. Bulbs of classical rounded shape, medium size, stored for up to one year, so they are suitable for sale.
History of origin
Šetana is an onion variety bred by Czech breeders of the MORAVOSEED agricultural company. Included in the register of breeding achievements in 1998. Approved for cultivation in the regions of central Our Country (including the Moscow region) and the Volga region.
It is recommended to grow in garden plots in private households and on an industrial scale. It can be grown as an annual crop (from seeds) or as a biennial (planting a set).
However, it is the form of “Shetana” that appears in the official register. It is also used by suppliers of planting material (seeds, Shetana MS onion sets).
Description and characteristics of Shetana onion varieties
The variety has good resistance to temperature extremes, short-term frosts and drought. With the observance of the minimum rules of cultivation gives a consistently high yield. The ripening and keeping quality of the crop is very high, which allows it to be used for cultivation in personal subsidiary plots and farms.
Appearance
Bulbs have a rounded shape, medium density, small weight. If onions are grown from seeds, the average figure is 45 g, and if from sets, from 65 to 90 g. Dry scales are straw-yellow in color. Necks of medium thickness. The structure is triangular.
Ripening time and yield
In terms of ripening, Shetana onion belongs to medium-early varieties. The harvest is formed on average for 90, maximum 100 days, i.e. three months after planting. The specific timing of the onset of technical maturity (from the moment of emergence of seedlings) depends on the method of cultivation:
- if you sow the seeds, it takes from 88 to 98 days;
- if you sow sevok – from 64 to 87 days.
Shetan bulbs ripen in three months
The crop yield is high and is about 3-6 kg per square meter (in good years, subject to agricultural technology – up to 8 kg). When grown on an industrial scale, the indicator reaches 260–290 c/ha, which corresponds to the standards of Carmen MS and Tatarsky varieties.
The highest yield of the variety was 435 q/ha. This is 160 centners more than the same indicator for Carmen MS. The record was recorded when growing from sevka (as a biennial crop) in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region.
Disease and pest resistance
Onions of the Shetana variety are resistant to Fusarium, but may suffer from downy mildew (downy mildew). Damage by onion fly, moth, thrips and other pests is not excluded. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatments and periodically monitor plantings in order to prevent the development of diseases in the early stages.
Composition and Properties
The composition of Shetana onion includes water (88%) and dry matter (12%), including the following components:
- Sahara – up to 6,3%;
- ascorbic acid – 7,2 mg per 100 g;
- vitamins of group B, PP, E;
- glycosides;
- phytoncides;
- flavonoids;
- pectins;
- macro- and microelements (potassium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur and others).
The taste of Shetana onion is semi-sharp, quite pleasant. The pulp is juicy, medium density, pure white.
Where to use
Due to its semi-sharp taste, Shetana onions can be used fresh, for example, in salads and appetizers. It is suitable for first and second courses, as well as for all kinds of preparations (salting, pickling).
In cool, moderately humid conditions, the crop can be stored for a very long time – up to 9-12 months.
Advantages and disadvantages
Shetana’s bow has many advantages, which are objectively more than disadvantages. The culture is undemanding to weather conditions, normally tolerates short-term frosts and drought. The yield is high, the taste is pleasant, and the shelf life is very long. Thanks to this, the Shetana variety managed to gain popularity among both summer residents and farmers.
Shetana is characterized by high yield and attractive presentation
Pros:
- good taste;
- bulbs aligned;
- keeping quality;
- transportability;
- excellent maturation (up to 100%);
- Fusarium resistance;
- practically does not give arrows.
Cons:
- no resistance to downy mildew;
- can suffer from onion flies and other pests.
Methods for planting Shetana onions
This variety can be grown in a variety of ways. Turnip and greens are obtained from seeds (an annual crop). From the set, you can also take a feather or heads (biennial culture).
Cultivation from seeds
Shetana onion seed material can be immediately planted in open ground. It is necessary to wait for the soil to warm up to at least 8-10 degrees. Therefore, the timing depends on the characteristics of a particular region:
- the middle lane is the beginning of May;
- south – the second half of April;
- areas with a cool spring – the third decade of May.
The Shetana variety is quite demanding on the place – it should be well lit and dry (without moisture stagnation), if possible protected from strong winds. The optimal type of soil is loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction (pH from 6,0 to 7,0).
1–1,5 months before planting the Shetana onion, the site is cleaned, dug up and brought in a bucket of compost or humus for 1–2 m2. And if the soil is clayey – an additional 1 kg of sawdust or sand for the same area. The best predecessors are representatives of legumes and nightshade, and the worst are garlic, asparagus and cucumbers of any variety.
Before planting, the seeds should be prepared by soaking in different liquids:
- 30 minutes in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate;
- 6-8 hours in warm water;
- after drying for about 8 hours in a solution of “Epin”, “Zirkon” or the second stimulator;
- then in wet gauze for a week at room temperature (let lie down in a saucer).
Planting technology for prepared onion seeds of the Shetana variety:
- Level the surface of the bed.
- Mark several furrows (depth 2 cm, distance 10 cm).
- Plant seeds at 10 cm intervals.
- Sprinkle lightly with soil and give a little water.
When planting between seeds leave a distance of 10 cm
Planting seedlings in spring in open ground
Shetana onion sets are planted at the same time as the seeds. It also needs some preparation. Only high-quality seed without damage and stains is selected and heated for 7 hours at a temperature of 40–45 degrees. Planting is carried out in holes to a depth of 2 cm, the interval between furrows is 40–50 cm. The sequence of actions is exactly the same as when sowing seeds.
Planting Shetana’s onions before winter
The variety belongs to the winter, so the seeds can be planted in the fall. In this case, the onion will be more productive. Preliminary preparation of planting material is exactly the same, however, you will additionally need to sort the bulbs by size:
- small and medium up to 1-3 cm in diameter – on a turnip;
- large from 3 cm in diameter – on early greens.
Sowing Shetana onions before winter is planned 3-4 weeks before the onset of the first frost. In the middle lane, this is the beginning of October, in the south – the end of the month, and in regions with a cold autumn – the end of September. The planting technology is similar, but a sufficiently high layer of mulch is additionally poured. Shetana onions can be protected with straw, sawdust, hay, peat and other natural materials.
Shetana onion care
The variety is undemanding to growing conditions, although regular watering must be ensured at least once every seven days to obtain a good harvest. Three weeks before the harvest, water is no longer given, even if there is a drought.
Loosening and weeding is carried out regularly, especially after rain or watering. Fertilizers are applied three times per season. In all cases, you can use complex top dressing (30–40 g per 1 m2) or alternate it with organic matter (litter 1:20, mullein 1:10).
To prevent downy mildew in spring, plantings are treated with Bordeaux liquid or another fungicide.
Conclusion
Onion Shetana is one of the few foreign varieties that has taken root well in the territory of central Our Country and neighboring regions. Resistant to adverse weather conditions and some pests. It gives a consistently high yield, subject to the rules of agricultural technology (watering and fertilizing).
Reviews of gardeners about Shetana’s onion
