The maximum amount of nutrients is stored in the green just a few days after cutting.
Growing green onions on a windowsill in a bottle is one way to always keep a vitamin seasoning on hand for meals.
The design allows you to plant dozens of bulbs in a small space.
If you correctly approach the preparation of the container and follow the rules of planting, caring for an impromptu garden bed will not require significant effort.
Advantages and disadvantages of the growing method
There are several ways to grow onions at home: in plastic or glass containers on the water, using a hydroponic installation, in a traditional bowl with earth. Compared to other methods, planting onions on a windowsill in a five-liter bottle has several advantages:
- Saving space on the window due to the vertical design;
- Availability of containers for planting;
- Longer green harvest period compared to growing onions in water;
- Easy care for growing bulbs.
However, the method has several drawbacks. Basically they are connected with the preparatory period. Making a planting container from a plastic bottle takes a lot of time and skill. Cutting holes in accordance with the diameter of the heads is painstaking work that requires accuracy. Filling the container with earth and planting the bulbs is not complete without debris and dirt.
Growing conditions
As a rule, they think about planting greenery at home in the fall, when the harvest period ends in garden beds. Sprouting onions on a feather does not require the creation of special conditions. However, maintaining an optimal temperature regime and sufficient illumination affect the quality and quantity of greenery.
| Temperature | Onions begin to germinate at normal room temperature +18-20°C. When the air is warmed up to +23-25°C, the most rapid growth of the feather is noted. At a temperature of +30°C and above, the growth of greenery stops, so on sunny days you should protect the plastic bottle with onions from overheating. In a cool room (temperature below +17°C), the growth of green mass slows down. |
| Lighting | Green onions are demanding on the degree of illumination. Juicy, long feathers of saturated color grow under the condition of diffused sunlight for 10-12 hours. In the winter months, it is recommended to place the container with the bulbs on the south or southeast window sill. For uniform illumination, rotate the onion bottle 45° every week. |
Container preparation
For growing onions, it is advisable to use a 5 liter plastic bottle. The container is thoroughly washed with cold water and rinsed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect the plantings from harmful bacteria. Do not use bottles that have stored liquids that are not intended for ingestion.
Before planting the bulbs, it is necessary to make holes in the container for future sprouts. To do this, you can use the following option:
- Along the perimeter of the bottle, make holes in a checkerboard pattern, with a diameter of 2-3,5 cm for the germination of feathers. The distance between the holes is left in accordance with the diameter of the selected bulbs.
- Trim off the tapering top 1/2 the way.
It is convenient to make holes in plastic containers using hot objects. But be careful – under the influence of high temperature, chemical compounds dangerous to humans are released. Work in a well-ventilated area.
Soil preparation
As a nutrient substrate, it is recommended to use purchased soil for seedlings of vegetables. It contains a supply of necessary elements, there are no pathogens and pest larvae. If earth from the garden is used, then it should be shed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or calcined in the oven.
Alternatively, you can use shredded coconut or finely chopped foam rubber. For the first time, the supply of nutrients accumulated in the bulbs themselves will suffice.
It is undesirable to use sawdust and paper instead of earth. In a humid environment, mold quickly starts in them.
Assorted onions
For growing onions on a windowsill in a bottle, any bulbs bought in a store or collected in your own garden are suitable. If it is possible to choose planting material, then you should pay attention to multi-germ onion varieties with low lighting requirements. Popular varieties include:
- Rostov;
- Black Prince;
- Arzamas;
- Slizun (Glandular);
- Chives;
- Timiryazevsky.
Another popular onion variety for distillation is Shallot. It surpasses ordinary onions in terms of the amount of nutrients. An additional advantage of the variety is the absence of flower arrows. Feathers reach a length of 35-40 cm.
Landing technology
Bulbs for sprouting are pre-prepared according to the following instructions:
- Onion heads 2-4 cm in diameter are selected, without rot and damage;
- Soak for 20 minutes in hot water (+50-55°C) with potassium permanganate (pink solution);
- The bulbs are washed, placed in cold water for 10 minutes;
- They take the onion out of the liquid, dry it and cut off the top by 1-1,5 cm.
Such preparation contributes to the speedy germination of the feather, prevents the bulbs from rotting, and protects against fungus and bacteria.
Next, proceed to planting green onions in a plastic bottle on the windowsill.
Rules of landing
To facilitate the care of planted onions and extend the harvest period, a certain technology is followed. The step-by-step process of filling the container with substrate and planting material involves a number of steps:
- A drainage layer of expanded clay or foam chips is laid at the bottom of the bottle with a layer of 2-3 cm;
- Earth is poured from above to the level of the lower holes and rammed;
- The bulbs are folded, gently pressing the cut end to the holes made in the bottle;
- They fall asleep with a layer of earth, repeat the procedure until the five-liter container is completely filled with soil;
- The upper heads of the onion are placed horizontally.
The last layer of earth in the bottle should not reach the edge of 2-3 cm. The growing roots raise the soil, and it can spill over the edge.
A container prepared for forcing greens is placed on the windowsill. It is advisable to use a wide pallet for a bottle, into which water will fall when watering. The collected liquid must be removed from the pan.
Care and Harvest Tips
Onions planted in a bottle on a windowsill require minimal maintenance. In the first week, rooting of turnips occurs. At this time, it is important to place the container on a well-lit window. Sunlight and a temperature of +22-25°C contribute to the development of the root system and the rapid germination of greenery.
Watering during cultivation affects the taste of greens. Onion is a moisture-loving crop, excessive drying of the soil in a bottle, poor moisture leads to excessive sharpness. Water green onions infrequently, but plentifully so that excess water spills into the pan. The next time you water it after the soil around the upper bulbs has dried out by no more than 1 cm.
But excessive hydration is also contraindicated. Excess water provokes rotting of the bulbs, the spread of insects. For irrigation, use water that has settled for a day at room temperature.
Green onions growing on the windowsill are not fertilized. The soil and bulbs contain a supply of nutrients that is enough for the entire growing season. An excess of minerals leads to the accumulation of nitrates in the greens, which reduces the environmental friendliness of the crop. They are fed only if coconut flakes or foam rubber are used as a substrate. 2-3 weeks after planting, fertilize the onion with a liquid complex preparation according to the instructions.
Top dressing is applied only after watering, this helps protect the suction roots from chemical burns.
Harvesting begins 15-20 days after planting the bulbs. The regrown feathers are cut off along the entire circumference of the bottle, starting with those located further from the container. This way you can provide light to feathers growing close to the bottle.
You can grow onions on a windowsill in a plastic bottle throughout the year. In winter, the need for fresh greens is especially great, but short daylight hours affect the yield badly. You can correct the situation with the illumination with the help of special lamps for plants. Without additional light, short and light feathers grow.
The benefits of home-grown green onions are undeniable. It is enough to make a little effort, and a compact bed from a plastic bottle will provide a crop of greenery for a long time.
Vitamin seasoning for salads, first and second courses will always be at hand with the hostess.
As soon as the bulbs finish releasing new feathers, the process can be resumed using the same technology. Forcing onions in a bottle on a windowsill is an easy and economical way to get fresh herbs, even in a small space.
