Options for soaking onions before planting

If you're wondering what to soak onions in before planting, it's likely you've already been burned by planting unprepared bulbs. Or perhaps you simply don't want to make a common mistake. Many people think they can simply plant the bulbs in the ground and a bountiful harvest is guaranteed. But as with any crop, preparation is essential.

First, select medium-sized bulbs. Peel off the outer layer of skin. Next, soak the bulbs in a solution of potassium permanganate. This is the first and most common method of preventing diseases and pests. Soaking in potassium permanganate not only boosts the plant's immunity but also increases yield. Did you know? How to get rid of moles in your dacha the easy way?

Important! If you're planting family onions, it's essential to first encourage them to root. To do this, remove the bulbs from their storage boxes and place them in a bright spot, after soaking them (you can simply place them on a windowsill).

About proper preparation

When it comes to onion sets, they need to be soaked immediately before planting. Other types of onions, however, need to be sprouted first to allow them to take root. However, this doesn't require any special methods for soaking onions before planting in the spring. Simply place the onions in a bright, warm place and leave them for a few weeks.

Onions will sprout within one week if the room temperature is 25 degrees Celsius or higher. These conditions can be achieved by placing the tubers near a radiator or a gas stove. Sprouted onions are ready for planting outdoors.

Bulbs are susceptible to various insects and fungi. Therefore, it's essential to disinfect the top layers of the bulb before planting. Soaking solutions can be prepared at home. For example, to prevent nematodes, soak the seeds in a regular salt solution for three days. Use a bucket of water for every three cups of salt.

Mineralization of seed material

Seeds that will be planted at the same time must be equally ready for sowing. To ensure this, they should be collected in a net beforehand. all the bulbs Place the net in water with dissolved mineral fertilizer: dissolve a small spoonful of copper sulfate in a bucket of water. Leave the bulbs for two days, then rinse thoroughly before planting.

Advice! The best neighbors for onions are garlic and carrots. Moreover, these plants will repel onion flies, thereby increasing the yield of the neighboring crop.

Are antiseptics necessary?

Copper sulfate is a longtime friend of gardeners, and it's used for more than just soaking onions. Besides soaking, you can use this solution to make a special bath, which has an antiseptic effect. Dilute the solution until it turns bluish. The water should be warm, around 60 degrees Celsius. Place the onions in the solution for just a couple of minutes, then remove and rinse. These onions will be ready for planting in five days, reliably protected from pests and other local diseases.

To the onion didn't rot During growth, a wood ash solution will help. Dissolve about 500 grams of ash in a bucket of water. Place the onions in a mesh bag, and soak the bag in the solution for a couple of hours. Then, dry the bulbs in the sun and you're ready to plant.

Various growth stimulants, available at gardening stores, will also prevent rot. When using them, it's important to thoroughly dry the bulbs afterwards. This will ensure a robust harvest and a long shelf life.

Options for soaking onions before planting to protect against pests:

• Use plain water at 50 degrees Celsius. Leave the bulbs for ten minutes before planting. This will help disinfect the bulbs.
• Saltpeter solution. You'll need 70 liters of warm water, about 40 degrees Celsius. Dissolve a small spoonful of saltpeter in it and soak the tubers for 15 minutes. This soaking will stimulate root growth and disinfect the tubers. However, this method is only suitable for onions planted at the very beginning of the gardening season.
• A potassium permanganate solution. This method has already been described in the article. Leave the onions in the solution for literally 15 minutes; cold water can be used.
• Epin-Extra. Dissolve one capsule in warm water and soak the onion in it for ten minutes. It accelerates root formation and green foliage.

These are common and proven options for soaking onions before planting. Soaking the planting material in at least plain water is essential. This will speed up and significantly increase the yield.