Onion Globo - Allium Cepa

200 Seeds

Onion ‘Globo’ is a large onion variety producing oval, straw-yellow bulbs with a mild, slightly sweet and pleasantly pungent flavor. The bulbs are suitable for fresh salads as well as cooking. Under good growing conditions, bulbs commonly reach around 250–300 g, while exceptionally large bulbs can be produced with careful cultivation.

‘Globo’ has a relatively long growing period, around 24 weeks from sowing to maturity, so timing is particularly important in the Gulf.

🌱 Best Planting Time in the Gulf

Onions are generally best grown during the cooler Gulf season.

• Gulf area: September–April
• Kuwait: September–November for the main growing season
• Best period: October–November
• A second sowing can be attempted in February where conditions remain suitable.
• Avoid starting the crop during the hottest summer months.

For very large bulbs, an early protected start can give the plants more time to develop before bulb formation. ‘Globo’ is particularly sensitive to planting timing because onion bulb formation is influenced by day length and temperature.

🌿 How to Plant the Seeds

1. Prepare a fertile, loose and well-drained planting bed.
2. Add mature compost before sowing, but avoid freshly manured soil.
3. Sow seeds approximately 0.5–1.5 cm deep.
4. Sow thinly in rows approximately 25–30 cm apart.
5. Keep the soil evenly moist until seedlings emerge.
6. Once seedlings are established, thin them to approximately 10–15 cm apart.
7. For larger bulbs, use the wider end of the spacing range.
8. Water gently after thinning to help the remaining plants recover.

For exhibition-size onions, seeds can be started earlier in trays and transplanted once the seedlings are established.

🌡️ Germination

• Germination temperature: approximately 10–24°C, depending on the seed source and conditions
• Typical practical target: around 15–20°C
• Germination: approximately 10–24 days
• Sowing depth: about 0.5–1.5 cm

Avoid allowing the seed-starting medium to become excessively hot. Onion seeds germinate best under moderate temperatures rather than extreme Gulf heat.

🌱 Transplanting

If you start ‘Globo’ in trays:

• Transplant when seedlings are well established and strong enough to handle.
• Choose seedlings with healthy green leaves and a good root system.
• Plant them shallowly rather than burying the developing bulb deeply.
• Space plants approximately 10–15 cm apart.
• Keep rows approximately 25–30 cm apart.

Avoid damaging the roots during transplanting.

☀️ Sunlight

Onions require full sun for good bulb development.

For Gulf conditions:

• Aim for approximately 6 hours or more of useful sunlight.
• Morning sun is particularly valuable in Kuwait.
• Provide light afternoon protection if temperatures become unusually high.
• Avoid heavily shaded areas.

💧 Watering

Consistent moisture is important while the bulb is developing.

• Keep the soil evenly moist during early growth.
• Water deeply when the upper soil begins to dry.
• Avoid frequent shallow watering.
• Do not allow water to stand around the bulbs.
• As the bulbs approach maturity and the leaves begin to yellow, gradually reduce irrigation.

Dryer conditions toward maturity help the bulbs finish ripening and improve their suitability for storage.

🌱 Soil

Use fertile, loose and well-drained soil.

A suitable Gulf growing bed can contain:

• Good-quality garden soil
• Mature compost
• Perlite, pumice or coarse material if drainage is poor

Avoid freshly manured soil because excessive fresh manure can encourage unsuitable growth and create an overly rich root environment.

For container growing, use a deep, fertile vegetable mix with excellent drainage.

🌿 Fertilizing

‘Globo’ needs sufficient nutrition to produce large bulbs.

• Incorporate mature compost before planting.
• Use a balanced vegetable fertilizer during early growth if needed.
• Feed moderately during leaf development.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen late in the season.
• As bulb formation progresses, avoid encouraging excessive soft foliage.

Remember that the onion bulb develops from the plant's leaves, so strong, healthy leaf growth before bulb formation is important for achieving larger bulbs.

🧅 Bulb Development

‘Globo’ is grown primarily for its very large bulbs. The bulbs become straw-yellow as they mature.

The plant's leaves gradually begin to yellow and fall over when the bulb approaches maturity. Full maturity can take around 24 weeks from sowing, although Gulf conditions can alter the timing.

🌾 Harvesting

Harvest when:

• The leaves begin turning yellow.
• The tops naturally start falling over.
• The bulb has reached a good size.
• The outer skin begins to dry.

Choose a dry day for harvesting. Gently loosen the bulbs and allow them to dry thoroughly in a dry, airy location before storage.

For fresh kitchen use, bulbs can also be harvested earlier while still actively growing.

🧺 Curing & Storage

After harvesting:

1. Leave the onions in a dry, well-ventilated location.
2. Allow the outer skin to become dry and papery.
3. Remove loose soil without damaging the outer skin.
4. Trim the foliage after the bulbs have cured.
5. Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

‘Globo’ has more limited storage potential than some dedicated storage onion varieties, so use the bulbs relatively promptly after curing.

🪴 Growing in Containers

‘Globo’ can be grown in large containers, although the plants need enough space for bulb development.

Use:

• A container at least 25–30 cm deep
• Fertile vegetable-growing mix
• Excellent drainage
• Approximately 10–15 cm between plants
• Full sun or strong morning sunlight

For the largest bulbs, growing directly in a prepared garden bed or raised bed generally gives the roots more room.

🔥 Gulf Climate Tips

• Kuwait: October–November is the preferred period for the main crop.
• Start seeds when temperatures are moderate rather than during summer.
• Keep seedlings evenly moist during establishment.
• Give plants full sun and good airflow.
• Use raised beds if the native soil drains poorly.
• Do not bury developing bulbs deeply.
• Wider spacing can help produce larger bulbs.
• Reduce irrigation as the leaves naturally yellow.
• Harvest on a dry day and cure thoroughly before storage.
• For exceptionally large bulbs, start the seeds early under protection and transplant strong seedlings rather than waiting for a late direct sowing.

🌱 Growing Tip: For Kuwait, sow ‘Globo’ around October–November, give it plenty of sun and fertile soil, and allow enough spacing for bulb expansion. For the biggest bulbs, early establishment is more important than simply adding extra fertilizer.