How long does it take to transplant onion seedlings?

Onions are grown in all parts of China. In order to increase onion yields, farmers can choose the transplanting method. Be careful when transplanting onion seedlings to avoid damaging the root system. When planting, maintain appropriate plant spacing to ensure that each onion has enough space to grow. So how long does it take for onion seedlings to be transplanted? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. How long does it take to transplant onion seedlings?

Onion seedlings are best suited for transplanting when they are 50-55 days old. At this point, the seedlings are usually 5-6 mm in diameter, about 25 cm tall, and usually have 3-4 true leaves. Onion seedlings at this stage are easy to root and resume growth quickly after transplanting.

The time for transplanting onions grown under mulch can be arranged around the "Beginning of Winter" solar term, which is early to mid-November. For onions grown in the open field, the transplanting time should be slightly earlier than that for onions grown under mulch covering. Generally, it is best to transplant them around the Frost Descent solar term, which is around late October.

2. Onion seedling transplanting method

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Onions like a lot of fertilizer. Generally, 5,000 kg of farmyard manure, 30 kg of diammonium phosphate, 15 kg of potassium sulfate, and 1 kg of zinc fertilizer are applied per mu. After spreading the fertilizer evenly, plow the soil to make it loose and fine.

2. Watering and film covering

Water thoroughly 5-7 days before transplanting to prepare soil moisture. After all the moisture in the soil has infiltrated, spray herbicides on the bed surface and then cover it with film to increase temperature and retain moisture.

3. Select onion seedlings

Select seedlings with dark green leaves, thick stems and well-developed root systems for transplanting. Such onion seedlings have strong vitality and are easier to adapt to the new environment after transplanting. Avoid choosing seedlings with yellow leaves, thin stems or damaged roots, as these seedlings have a low survival rate after transplanting.

4. Punch and transplant

Before planting, holes should be punched in the film, and the spacing between rows and plants should be determined according to the onion variety and soil fertility. Generally speaking, the appropriate plant spacing is between 10-15 cm and the row spacing is between 16-18 cm. For early-maturing varieties, 16 cm square is generally appropriate, while for late-maturing varieties, 17-18 cm square is appropriate.

5. Transplanting depth

The transplanting depth should be appropriate, generally controlled between 2-3 cm, to ensure that the roots are completely buried in the soil, but the stems should not be buried too deep to avoid affecting the growth and ventilation of the leaves.

6. Compact the soil

When transplanting onions, usually holes are drilled first and then planted. One seedling is placed in one hole. When placing the seedlings, pay attention to compacting the soil around the seedlings. If you only put the onion seedlings in the hole without compacting the soil, it is easy for them to "hang" or freeze to death, or for the onion seedlings to "run" out of the soil after the spring thaw.

The above is an introduction to how long it takes to transplant onion seedlings. The suitable time for transplanting onion seedlings is usually in late autumn, around November. The best age for onion seedlings is 50-55 days. At this time, the seedlings are easy to take root and resume growth quickly after transplanting.