kenthefarmer
New Lister
As a bulb onion farmer ,you should be knowing some secrets for good harvest and lower production cost .
Behind me there's maize ,we planted and always plant maize along the farm which help us in several ways ;
1. Prevents Seedling Damage: Maize reduces wind speed, protecting delicate onion seedlings from being uprooted or bent.
2. Minimizes Moisture Loss: It reduces evaporation caused by strong winds, keeping the soil moist for longer periods.
3. Protects Bulb Formation: Onions require stable conditions for proper bulb development, and maize helps shield them from harsh winds.
4. Prevents Soil Erosion: Strong winds can erode the topsoil, which is critical for onion growth. Maize acts as a barrier to retain the soil.
5. Improves Pesticide Efficiency: Reduced wind prevents pesticide drift, ensuring effective application on the onions.
6. Multi-Purpose Benefit: In addition to wind protection, maize can be harvested for food, fodder, or even as an additional income source.
By the time the crops are turning two months, small bulbs should be visible . This is also a critical stage and enough watering should be done to attain a bigger quality bulb.
Insufficient watering causes the plant tips to dry which people confuses it to be downy mildew.
Also to avoid bottle shaped bulbs , enough water is recommended.
Since the bulb onions were going well on our newly acquired land ,we also decided to "test the waters" .I bought 25g of Gloria F1 cabbage seeds and propagated as shown .
Cabbages take less time in the nursery , a month they are ready for transplant. They are also liked by cutting insects like grasshopper and so after sprouting I sprayed "imidacloprid" an active ingredient that controls all cutting insects.
It was a nice feeling to see something that I had planned on a piece of paper work as drafted.
Thanks be to God.
Part 9.......