Long DayBritish Heirloom 1887. The fine, large Ailsa Craig Exhibition Onion has gained a big following in the past several years. Bulbs in excess of 3 pounds are possible, but the real virtue of this variety is the quality. Color is a snow-white, centers are bull’s eye single, tops are vigorous, and the flavor is very sweet. The Ailsa Craig Exhibition Onion is great for slicing raw. Every year that we grow it we reaffirm that Ailsa Craig is the biggest, the earliest, and the best. Photo courtesy of Linda, a Maine gardener, with Diesel showing off the onion harvest. 150 seeds Please note that germination rates for alliums (onions/shallots/chives/leeks) decline rapidly. We strongly encourage you to purchase new seed each growing season. PLANTING Allium cepa Germination: 5-10 days Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 60-75ºF. Seed Sowing Depth: 1/4" deep Sowing Indoors: Start 8-10 weeks before the last frost with soil temperatures 60-75ºF. Sow in flats 1/4” deep, 1/4” apart. Transplant seedlings out mid/late spring, 2-6” apart. Liquid fertilize seedlings every 7-10 days. Seedlings size should be about a pencil thick at transplanting time. Sowing Outdoors- Early to mid-spring when the soil temperature reaches at least 55 ºF. Sow 1-3 seeds per inch, thin to 2-6” apart. The larger the bulb size the more space. How much does a packet plant: 15-30 foot single row Harvest- Stop watering a week before harvesting. Pull out when necks soften and start to fall over. Cure them in the sun for a few days then finish drying them out of direct sunlight, in a warm area, and in a single layer so air can circulate around them until the neck is dry. Store in a cool dark place with 35-40ºF temperatures and 65-70% humidity. Tips- The Ailsa Craig Exhibition Onion needs fertile, well-drained soil. Amend with compost or apply organic granular fertilizer. Adequate water is very important for optimum growth, 1" per week.
