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Variety profile · Bunching onion

Parade: een plek in jouw tuin

Ontdek Parade en kies hoe je stengelui wilt kweken. Hieronder staan de bevestigde rasgegevens en de praktische teeltgids voor deze groente.

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AI illustration of Parade
AI illustration

This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.

Crop
Allium fistulosum; does not form a large round storage bulb
Location
Sun or light partial shade and moist, aerated soil
Start
Seed; direct sow or start in small modules
Harvest
As young stems; size and timing depend on variety and season

This growing advice helps you choose. Your variety, growth stage, weather and conditions in your space determine the actual timing.

A good start

Sowing under cover and raising seedlings

Start under cover in a cool, bright position · Bunching onion

February–March for seed-grown onionsSow lightly in modules or a seed tray and grow on steadily.

Germination and temperature
Germinate under cover, then grow on in good light without excessive warmth.
After emergence
Give seedlings light immediately after emergence. A dark loft needs suitable grow lights; warmth alone is insufficient. Ventilate and keep the compost moist without saturating it.
Pricking out and potting on
Sow in modules or a seed tray. Move young plants with their root ball according to cultivar guidance; a small group of spring onions can stay together.
Hardening off and planting out
Gradually acclimatise indoor-raised plants to sun, wind and outdoor temperatures; shelter them again on cold nights. Plant out sturdy young onions at suitable final spacing. Seed-grown onions are plants raised from seed; onion sets are planted directly.

Onion sets and seed-grown onions are different starting routes. Bunching and spring onions are generally harvested young.

Sources and use

RHS · uien ↗Britse teeltrichtlijn voor een gematigd klimaat; de genoemde perioden zijn richtlijnen voor Nederland en Vlaanderen.

De Bolster · Bosui en stengelui telen ↗Nederlandse producent of teeltbron; de rasinstructie blijft leidend.

Royal Horticultural Society · RHS — stengelui kweken ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.

Guideline periods for the Netherlands and Flanders. Check the variety, available light, soil and measured temperatures. Greenhouse heating does not guarantee enough winter light.

Compare how to raise other vegetables →
How it could look in your garden

How to grow bunching onion

The options below belong to the plant. From these, choose the method that suits your variety's growth habit.

AI illustration of korte rijen voor opeenvolgende oogst
AI illustration

This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.

Short rows for successive harvests

A short row fits among other vegetables and is easy to resow. Allow enough space for weeding.

  1. Prepare a fine seedbed and sow shallowly as directed.
  2. Keep the germinating row moist and thin crowded plants.
  3. Sow a second small row later if variety and season allow.
  4. Lift stems at the desired size; use healthy greens too.

For frequent small harvests in the vegetable garden.

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AI illustration of een keukenbak met jonge stengels
AI illustration

This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.

A kitchen container with young stems

Bunching onions suit a clearly arranged container. Starting in modules gives a head start and makes it easy to fill gaps.

  1. Choose a container with drainage and fine, airy compost.
  2. Sow thinly and directly or plant small modules without pulling roots apart.
  3. Keep the root zone evenly moist and prevent a dense carpet.
  4. Harvest whole stems in portions and refill gaps when the growing period suits.

For patios, balconies and a short walk from kitchen to harvest.

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Stem onion is not a storage onion

The name spring onion also covers young ordinary onions. This guide concerns Allium fistulosum bunching onions, with long bases and no large storage bulb. Check the label for specific growth; a species photo proves no exact variety.

Spread the harvest across small sowings

Make a few short rows rather than one large batch at once. Choose suitable sowing times from the variety packaging and allow for growth speed in your season. Cooler periods lengthen growing time, while dry heat demands extra water and attention.

Fine soil around small seeds

Crumble the surface and remove persistent weeds before sowing. Sow thinly, cover lightly and water gently. Keep the surface moist during germination. Label the row; first shoots are easily confused with grass.

Modules keep the start manageable

Sow small amounts in modules and give plenty of light. Plant sturdy root balls after acclimatising outdoors. Do not pull young roots apart unnecessarily. Water the root ball and surrounding soil immediately.

Give the white base space

Thin crowded seedlings so each stem can grow. Small early thinnings can be a first harvest once usable. Leave more space for thicker stems than for very young harvests; follow the chosen variety's advice.

Weed early and retain moisture

Upright leaves let plenty of light reach the soil, so weeds remain competitors. Hand-weed close to the plants. Water the soil and check container crops regularly. Add only feed suited to the potting compost and growing duration.

Check leaves and the base of the roots

Yellow or limp foliage may relate to drought, wet roots or damage. First investigate the soil and an affected plant. Rotate the onion family to another space after repeated problems and consider insect mesh where flies are an issue; do not mix diseased material with healthy harvests.

Harvest the stem you need

Loosen the soil with a small trowel and lift the plant with its roots. Cut away the root base and rinse soil from the outer leaf layers. Both white and healthy green parts can go to the kitchen. Harvest before significant ageing or bolting for tender stalks.

Fresh use is the starting point

Store bunching onions briefly and cool, preferably using fresh. They are not dry bulbs to mature in a net for months. Note how many stems you actually use; this helps adapt future sowings to your kitchen.

Ready to begin

What you need

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More background, sources and image information

SeedSteps editorial team · updated on 11 October 2026. The AI images illustrate species and practical growing situations; they do not prove an exact cultivar, observations from your own garden or yield.

Britse gewasadviezen worden gecombineerd met Nederlandse en Vlaamse informatie waar beschikbaar. Amerikaanse Extension-bronnen ondersteunen plantprincipes en herkenning; hun kalenderdata, lokale plaagdruk, bestrijdingsmiddelen en mestdoseringen worden niet rechtstreeks op Nederland of Vlaanderen toegepast. Vorst, bodemwarmte, standplaats en expliciete rasinformatie blijven de lokale controle. Commerciële bronnen onderbouwen uitsluitend benoemde ras- en plantkenmerken; zij zijn geen affiliate-aanbeveling.

  1. World Checklist of Vascular Plants — 4 juni 2026Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed 2026-10-07
  2. Common catalogue of varieties of vegetable species — 27 januari 2023Europese Commissie · accessed 2026-10-07
  3. Ajuin doux de Florence ras van Simiane zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  4. Ajuin rood van Abbeville zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  5. Ajuin Stuttgart zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  6. Ui Sturon 500gram BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  7. Ajuin wit uit Lisboa zaden biologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  8. Shakespeare Gele Herfst Ui - 250gr BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
  9. Bosui en stengelui telenDe Bolster · accessed 2026-10-10
  10. RHS — stengelui kwekenRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-10

Supporting evidence by chapter: Stem onion is not a storage onion: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Spread the harvest across small sowings: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Fine soil around small seeds: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Modules keep the start manageable: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Give the white base space: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Weed early and retain moisture: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Check leaves and the base of the roots: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Harvest the stem you need: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster. Fresh use is the starting point: Royal Horticultural Society, De Bolster.