Onion Red creole

Description

Botanical Name: Allium cepa
Variety Name: Red Creole
Common Names: Red Creole Onion
Seed Type: Open-pollinated / Heirloom
Growth Habit: Biennial (grown as annual)
Days to Maturity: 100–120 days
Plant Height: 30–45 cm (12–18 inches)
Climate: Warm-season crop; thrives in temperate to subtropical regions

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🌱 Overview:

The Red Creole onion is a traditional heirloom variety valued for its deep red to purplish skin, pungent flavor, and versatility. Originating from Creole regions with warm climates, it is well-adapted to hot growing conditions and short-daylight environments. This onion produces medium-sized bulbs with a slightly flattened shape and a robust, sharp taste that mellows with cooking.

Red Creole onions are popular in many cuisines worldwide for their bold color and flavor, used fresh in salads, salsas, and sandwiches or cooked in stews, sautés, and grilling. The variety is known for good storage capabilities and strong disease resistance compared to other red onions.

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🌿 Plant Characteristics:

• Bulb Size: Medium, 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) diameter

• Bulb Shape: Slightly flattened globe

• Skin Color: Deep red to purplish with glossy finish

• Flesh Color: White with red tinges

• Flavor: Strong, pungent when raw; sweetens with cooking

• Growth Habit: Upright leaves, strong stems

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🧑‍🌾 Growing Information:

• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter

• pH Range: 6.0–7.0

• Sowing Depth: 0.5–1 cm (1/4 inch)

• Spacing: 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) between plants; 30 cm (12 inches) between rows

• Germination Time: 7–14 days at 20–25°C (68–77°F)

• Planting Time: Early spring or late fall depending on climate; prefers warmer growing seasons

• Watering: Moderate, consistent moisture without waterlogging

• Fertilization: Benefits from nitrogen-rich fertilizers during early growth

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🍽️ Culinary Uses:

• Fresh in salads, sandwiches, and salsas

• Grilled, roasted, or caramelized for side dishes

• Adds flavor to soups, stews, and sauces

• Used in pickling and preserving

• Often combined with other vegetables in Creole and Cajun dishes

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💪 Nutritional Benefits:

• Low in calories and fat-free

• Rich in antioxidants, including quercetin and anthocyanins

• Provides vitamin C, B6, and manganese

• Supports immune health and has anti-inflammatory properties

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🌍 Cultural & Agricultural Importance:

• Popular in Southern U.S. Creole cooking and other warm-region cuisines

• Well-suited for hot climates and short-daylight conditions

• Resistant to common onion diseases like downy mildew and purple blotch

• Valuable for fresh market and home garden production