Onion bolting indicates that the plant has experienced stress.
Most often, sudden temperature changes or improper fertilizing are to blame.
But there is a way to “calm” the onion, and it doesn’t require stimulants.
All it takes is an infusion of… common weeds! Yes, nettle, dandelion and chickweed, infused in water, release enzymes that block bolting and speed up bulb growth.
Grind 1 kg of fresh weeds, pour 10 liters of warm water, add 100 g of sugar and leave to ferment for 5 days. Strain the infusion, dilute 1:3 and water the onion under the root in the phase of 3-4 feathers.
Nettle is rich in nitrogen, dandelion is rich in potassium, and woodlice are rich in silicon. Together, they create an "anti-stress" effect, redirecting the plant's energy to the formation of the bulb, not the flower stalk.
In just a week, the feathers will stop turning yellow, and if the arrows do appear, they will be weak.
But it is important not to miss the deadline: watering is carried out only before the beginning of the formation of the bulb (June-early July). If you are late, the infusion will provoke the growth of the feather to the detriment of the head.
To protect against onion flies, add 1 tablespoon of tar to the infusion - its smell will repel pests.
Additionally, sprinkle the bed with tobacco dust after rain - this will create a barrier for insects.
Why does weed infusion work? During the fermentation process, natural growth hormones are released, which stabilize the development of the plant.
To enhance the effect, water the onion with salt water once a month (1 glass of salt per 10 liters) - this will strengthen the roots and protect against nematodes. By the way, the method is also suitable for garlic, but the concentration of the infusion is halved.
Author: Kurchev Anton