kenthefarmer
Lister
Part 1-10 is information from seed sowing to this bulbonions stage where we applied calcium and potassium fertilizer.
Now it's time to identify how you know when the bulbs are ready.
You can tell bulb onions are ready for harvest by observing the following signs:
1. Yellowing and Falling Over of Leaves: The onion tops start turning yellow and naturally fall over, signaling maturity.
2. Bulb Size: The bulbs reach the expected size for the variety you planted.
3. Firmness: The bulbs feel firm when gently squeezed.
4. Drying of Neck: The neck (stem above the bulb) begins to dry out and become less green.
5. Outer Skin Development: The bulbs form a papery, dry outer skin.
6. Uniformity: Most of the onions in the field show these signs simultaneously.
In this Pic, you can see the leaves are forced to lie down. It's called knock twisting
Neck twisting in bulb onion farming is a manual technique used before harvest. Here’s an explanation of when and why it’s done:
When to Twist Onion Necks
1. Timing:
About 1–2 weeks before harvesting, when the onions are mature.
This is usually when 70–80% of the onion tops have naturally fallen over, and the bulbs are fully developed.
Why Twist Onion Necks?
1. Stops Growth:
Twisting the necks cuts off the nutrient and water supply to the bulb, signaling the plant to stop growing.
This promotes drying of the tops and necks, which is crucial for proper curing.
2. Encourages Uniform Maturity:
It helps synchronize the drying process for onions that are not naturally falling over.
3. Prevents Rot:
Dry necks reduce moisture, which lowers the risk of rot and fungal infections during storage.
4. Improves Storage Life:
Well-dried onions store better and are less prone to sprouting or rotting.
5. Eases Harvesting:
Twisted necks make it easier to handle and harvest the bulbs without damaging the plant or bulb.
How to Twist Onion Necks
Hold the top (green part) of the onion plant a few inches above the bulb.
Gently bend and twist the neck until it kinks or folds over.
Avoid applying excessive force to prevent damage to the bulb.
Key Notes
Neck twisting should only be done for mature onions; doing it prematurely can negatively affect bulb development.
Combine this technique with stopping irrigation about 7–10 days before harvest to ensure optimal drying.
Look how healthy the bulbs are, dis you read Part one about planting space ? 7-10 cm is the recommended space . Some tend to think it's small and that the bulbs will be small which is a myth .
These bulbs also shows the importance of getting high breed varieties. Deep red ,globe shape and uniform growth.(kindly revisit from part one to ten ) to see how we managed to get here.
Part 12 .... how to harvest and store