How to grow green onions in water on a windowsill

Green onions, unlike onions, cannot be prepared for the winter without losing their taste and characteristic aroma.

You can extend the season of fresh herbs by growing in an apartment in ordinary water. This method of forcing onions on a feather has been around for more than a decade.

Using information on how to properly grow onions on a windowsill in water, you can enjoy vitamin greens all year round. To do this, it is enough to get acquainted with some of the nuances of planting and care, which will allow you to get the maximum amount of green feathers in a short period of time.

Failure to follow the rules will result in turnip rot and a short harvest period.

What you need to grow onions in water

To grow green onion feathers on the windowsill, you need a few simple ingredients:

• onion heads;
• planting container;
• Pure water.

At first glance, it may seem that everything is too simple. No need to prepare special soil, mark the beds and fertilize. In fact, the germination process is really simple, but success depends on how well the process is organized and the conditions are prepared.

Selection and preparation of containers

Almost everyone knows how to grow onions at home in water, in a yogurt cup or in a glass jar. It is enough to pour water into the container and place the onion on top. But, in most cases, this approach leads to the fact that an unpleasant smell appears in the room, the turnip releases several feathers and rots. To prevent this from happening, you should follow a few recommendations, first of all, prepare the appropriate container:

• The capacity for distillation is chosen at least 2 times deeper than the size of the bulb, plastic cups, containers or jars are suitable;
• The container is thoroughly washed from food debris or foreign liquid;
• Treat containers with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or baking soda.

If you ignore the last point, the bacteria will provoke a putrid smell in the room and attract onion midges.

The pile of individual jars of onions causes a certain inconvenience. When changing water, you will have to spend time on each individual container. From improvised means, you can independently make a container for several bulbs according to the following instructions:

• A spacious plastic container should be washed and disinfected;
• In a sheet of thick cardboard, make holes 1 cm smaller than the diameter of the bulbs;
• Cut the cardboard to the shape of the container so that it can be used as a lid.

Such a structure will facilitate the care of germinating heads and save space on the windowsill. You can also use plastic egg containers. To do this, holes of a smaller diameter are made in the lid than those of the planting material. The container is washed and treated with potassium permanganate.

Devices for forcing green onions in water

On sale there are special devices for growing green onions on the windowsill. They are miniature hydroponic plants that provide a high yield of greens with minimal labor. The device consists of several parts:

• plastic container for water;
• Covers with open recesses for bulbs;
• Compressor for aquarium;
• Tubes for air supply and atomizer.

With the help of a compressor, an aqueous suspension is formed, which balances between the lower part of the turnip and water. The bulb with this method is not in constant contact with the liquid, respectively, is less susceptible to decay. Small water bubbles settle on the regrown roots, further enriching them with oxygen, which makes germination faster.

How exactly to plant onions at home in water: in a hydroponic plant or in a regular container, the result depends only partially. An important role is played by the quality of the bulbs for sprouting.

Preparing onions for forcing in water

Onions selected as planting material must meet a number of characteristics:

• The heads are selected even, without signs of rot, disease and mechanical damage;
• The diameter of the turnip should be at least 3 cm, only ripe bulbs are suitable for forcing, it makes no sense to plant young sets;
• Preference is given to varieties adapted to a low degree of illumination, especially if forcing takes place in winter.

Selected bulbs can be planted in water without additional manipulations. To speed up the germination of feathers and protect the turnips from rot, it is recommended to take the following measures:

• Carefully cut off the top by a few millimeters for small turnips, by 1-1,5 cm for larger specimens. This will allow you to grow more even feathers and make it easier to cut.
• Release the bulbs from the top layer of the husk;
• Place the onion heads for 20 minutes in water heated to + 50 ° C, with potassium permanganate diluted to pink.
• Transfer onions for 10-15 minutes in a container with cold water (you can put it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator).

After preparing the container and planting material, it is important to take care of the conditions in which the greens will germinate indoors.

Creating the necessary conditions

Green onions while growing on a windowsill in water need to maintain a special temperature and light conditions. At different stages, the requirements for these conditions are different.

At the initial stage, when the roots of the plant have not yet sprouted, it is advisable to choose a place with cool air. It can be a cold window sill, a glazed balcony or another room with a temperature of +17-20°C.

A few days later, after the first root shoots appear, the optimum temperature for green onions will be + 22-2 ° C.

In the summer, it is necessary to ensure that the turnips do not overheat under the direct rays of the sun. At temperatures above +30°C, the greenery stops growing.

Scattered sunlight is needed to build green mass. Containers with bulbs should be located in the most illuminated place. In winter, additional illumination of plantings with the help of special lamps for plants will be required.

Lack of light will result in the formation of weak, thin feathers that are pale in color.

Growing onions in water

The next step in growing onions for forcing feathers is the proper organization of planting bulbs in containers and further care. It is recommended to follow certain rules:

• Turnips are placed in a container so that only the lower part touches the water. The immersion depth should not exceed 1/3 of the bulb.
• Water is used settled, there are a lot of heavy impurities in the tap water, which negatively affect the composition of greenery.
• Every 24 hours the liquid is changed to a new one, the first 2-3 days the procedure is carried out 2 times a day.
• Use water at room temperature.

As thin roots grow, you can slightly lower the liquid level. This will keep the bulbs longer without rot. It is advisable to arrange landings for periodic ventilation. Especially if green onions are grown in glass jars and bottles that do not allow air to pass through.

Feeding onions in water

When these requirements are met, green feathers grow on turnips 15-20 days after planting. The quality and quantity of the crop can be influenced by special dressings. Fertilizers contribute to the growth of strong, fragrant greenery, especially during adverse conditions. So, for example, in winter it is more difficult to grow onions on a windowsill in water due to a lack of sunlight.

For the entire period of forcing, it is recommended to fertilize the plants 1 time. Feeding should begin no earlier than the first roots appear. It is recommended to choose one of the fertilizer options:

1. Dissolve 1 tsp. wood ash in 1 liter of hot water, insist for a day;
2. Prepare a solution of 2 tsp of liquid onion feed in 1 liter of warm water, use immediately;
3. Mix 1 tsp of urea, 1,5 tsp of superphosphate and 1,5 tsp of potassium sulfate with 1 liter of settled water, add to the container with onions.

The main task of top dressing is to supply the bulbs with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Elements are necessary for the growth of green mass and the formation of the root system, through which nutrients will enter the feathers.

Rules, secrets and tricks

Compliance with the basic rules for growing green onions without soil allows you to harvest without any hassle throughout the year. You can use additional tips on how to sprout onions on a windowsill in water:

• It is recommended to add crushed activated carbon to the water for germination. 2 tablets per liter of liquid. The tool will prevent the development of pathogenic bacteria.
• A clean piece of cloth can be placed in glass containers with water, so that it is lightly in contact with the bottom of the bulb. The liquid will rise through the tissue, nourish the roots, while the risk of decay will be significantly reduced.
• If the liquid in the container becomes cloudy, it is recommended not only to change the water, but also to rinse the regrown roots under running water.
• Cut off the regrown feathers from the edge to the center, this will ensure uniform growth of greenery and minimize the risk of damaging the onion head.
• At low humidity, you can spray the feathers with warm, settled water. The liquid should not fall on the bulb, otherwise it will begin to deteriorate.
• To ensure a continuous crop of greens, it is necessary to plant new bulbs as soon as the feathers germinate 10-15 cm.

Conclusion

With the help of simple devices, following simple instructions, you can grow fragrant greens at home, right on the windowsill. Fresh onion feathers collected after sprouting on water are not inferior in taste and useful properties to those that grew in the ground in the garden. Unlike store-bought ones, they won’t contain the harmful chemicals used to extend their shelf life.

Self-grown green onions do not require special costs. Planting material can be prepared in the fall, and improvised means can be used as a container for germination. Vitamins contained in fresh herbs are needed by the body all year round, especially in winter.