Factor is a mid-early variety of Welsh onion grown as an annual to produce juicy, tasty greens with a piquant aroma. It is beloved by domestic gardeners for its low-maintenance nature, disease resistance, and excellent yield. It is grown both in open beds from spring to late fall and in greenhouses year-round.
Introduction to the variety
This vegetable variety was developed by breeder V.V. Osipov, an employee of the Sembiotek Research and Production Company. In 2012, it was added to the Russian Federation State Register as a variety intended for cultivation in the following regions:
- Northern;
- North-West;
- Central;
- Volga-Vyatka;
- Central Black Earth Region;
- North Caucasian;
- Middle Volga;
- Lower Volga;
- Ural;
- West Siberian;
- East Siberian;
- Far Eastern.
The variety of chives also has other characteristics:
- resistance to diseases (fusarium, downy mildew);
- no tendency to bolting, yellowing, or feather wilting;
- the ability to remain in the garden without losing its consumer qualities;
- shelf life and transportability of the crop.
Factor is designed for outdoor cultivation from early spring to late autumn. It is suitable for both private and commercial growing on an industrial scale.
External data
Plants of this variety are distinguished by their robust structure, vigorous growth, and rapid vegetative mass growth. They have the following distinctive features:
- high rosette of leaves;
- uprightness;
- medium degree of branching;
- Foliage: thin, fistular, dark green with a bluish tint, with a slight waxy coating on the surface, delicate texture, juicy, does not become rough for a long time.
- the height of the hands is 35-60 cm;
- short false stem (no distinct bulb);
- roots: powerful, easily adaptable to different soils;
- weight - 50-60 g.
Taste characteristics and purpose
The greens of the Factor spring onion are fleshy and juicy. Their flavor is pleasant and mildly spicy. Homemakers use fresh green onions in salads and other dishes, or they can also be dried and frozen.
Subtleties of agricultural technology
Gardeners grow this vegetable variety as an annual from seed. They sow seeds in early spring after the soil warms to 5-7°C. Repeat sowings are made every 7-14 days from April to August to produce fresh greens.
To grow Factor bulbous onions, start with pre-sowing seed preparation:
- 14-20 days before the event, take the seed material and 2-3 cotton pads.
- Soak the pads in the Epin solution. To obtain the solution, add 2-3 drops to 200 ml of water.
- Lightly squeeze out the cotton pads and place them in the package with the seeds so that they do not touch the latter.
- Place the pack with seed material in a plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator (temperature - +4°C).
- After 2 days, replace the cotton pads with new ones soaked in a solution of Epin or any mineral fertilizer. Refrigerate the seed packet for a week.
Prepare a plot in the garden that meets the requirements for sowing chives seeds;
- solar;
- protected from drafts and gusty winds;
- with neutral soil, fertile and loose (if the soil is acidic, add a soft acidifier with humic acid, boron, and microelements).
- ✓ Soil pH level should be strictly between 6.0-7.0 for optimal growth.
- ✓ The soil should have high moisture capacity, but at the same time be well drained.
Level the soil in the area. Make planting furrows 2 cm deep, spaced 15 cm apart. Follow the rules and recommendations of experienced gardeners for sowing:
- keep a step of 2 cm;
- Lightly press the seeds into the moistened soil;
- Sprinkle them with peat or a mixture of sand and peat.
To get tasty and juicy greens, take proper care of their planting:
- Water itIrrigate the onion beds before germination and immediately after sprouting until the plants become established. Irrigate between the rows. Avoid pouring water into the furrows with the seeds. Otherwise, a soil crust will form, preventing air from reaching the fragile roots.
- Weed and loosen the soilMeasures are necessary for the proper development of vegetable crops.
- Feed the plantingsWelsh onions will need to be fertilized 3-4 times per season. Use water-soluble nutrient complexes such as Agricola. Apply fertilizer by watering the plants at the roots and sprinkling them on the foliage.
- × Avoid using fresh manure as it may lead to fungal diseases.
- × Do not exceed the recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizers to avoid stimulating excessive growth of greenery at the expense of its quality.
Reviews
Factor is an excellent choice for gardeners growing vitamin-rich Welsh onions for their greens. This variety produces a large harvest of mildly pungent greens with a delicate texture. Grow it as an annual in the open ground or in a greenhouse. With proper care, the plants are disease-resistant.