Are bunching onions perenial?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Queenweed Saint Johns, AZ Apr 15, 2008

My uncle once planted onions that he called bunching onions. They grew in clusters and he divided them every spring. None of the bunching onion packets I read mention perenials. Do they exist?

Post #4810177
Quote
NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Apr 15, 2008

They are hard to find. I got lucky--a friend of mine had some to share, which is probably the best way to get them. I used to have them in AR but left them behind when we moved assuming I could easily replace them--HA! I spent years looking for more and couldn't find them until my friend kindly shared hers with me. They are perennial, at least in warmer climates. I still prefer to play it safe with mine (since they are hard to find) so I dig up several bunches, dry them, and store in a cool place for the winter. I have wintered them over before but always dry some too just in case the ones in the ground don't make it. You might try some of the heirloom seed places, such as SeedSavers, to see if they happen to carry them. If you can't find any, dmail me this fall and I will share enough with you to get you started.

Post #4811355
Quote
Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Apr 15, 2008

Actually, true bunching onions are single stem onions. The one that form clusters are multipliers ( shallots) A. cepa var aggregatum http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=shallot&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=cepa&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search There are a number of vendors including Teriitorial and Fedco

Post #4811598
Quote
NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Apr 15, 2008

Ooops, my bad! You're right Farmerdill. This is one of those bad habits I've let others get me into--so many people do call them "bunching" onions.

Post #4812395
Quote
Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Apr 15, 2008

Nothing to worry about, I did it myself in another post and Shoe caught me. Lots of folks do call them bunching onions, but real bunching onions are non- bulbing onions. They were typically marketed in bunches of green onions, hence the name.

Post #4813872
Quote
Queenweed Saint Johns, AZ Apr 17, 2008

Thank you all very much! I appreciate the info. Maybe I'll just plant walking onions and not worrry about the others.

Post #4818947
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP