Cupido onion: description of the variety, characteristics, cultivation and care in open ground, photo

History of selection and description of the variety

Cupid onion, also known as Cupid f1, is considered one of the highest yielding.
It was bred in Holland and is famous for its large bulbs, weighing up to 150 g. Cupid onion

Cupid is famous for its strong root system, which determines the overall resistance of the variety to a variety of fungal diseases and pests. The only thing Cupid is defenseless against is cold. The culture is quite thermophilic, so it needs reliable shelter for the winter.

The fruits have good transportable qualities and are stored in a warm place for a long time - about 3-4 months. It is fundamentally important that the taste and appearance of the fruit remains unchanged.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cupido onion is a popular variety and has earned the trust of many gardeners. They speak well of it and praise the bow for its tangible advantages:

• high productivity;
• early boarding time;
• early emergence;
• resistance to pests and diseases;
• good taste;
• the ability to plant for the winter;

The disadvantages of the variety include its fear of frost. Cupido reacts sensitively to a strong drop in temperature (below minus 15 degrees). If it is intended to be grown in the northern regions, then when planting for the winter, the onion must be covered with straw or special material. In this case, it will not freeze.

Description of the hybrid

Cupido F1 is a heterotic (with accelerated growth and increased vitality) hybrid of the first generation.

Its bulbs are used universally: they are consumed fresh, added to salads and preparations, used for boiling, stewing and frying.

Origin and development

Hybrid onion Cupido F1 was bred by Dutch breeders, the originator is NICKERSON ZWAAN BV.

The hybrid was included in the State Register of Russia in 2015.

Chemical composition, trace elements, vitamins and beneficial properties

Cupido contains:

• essential oil;
• proteins;
• carbohydrates;
• Sahara;
• mineral salts;
• vitamins B, C, PP;
• macro- and microelements.

Onions stimulate the immune system and metabolism, protect the body from viruses, have an antibacterial effect, act as a source of essential vitamins and minerals, and help remove toxins from the body.

Characteristics of the bulb, description of appearance, taste

The hybrid forms dense two-bud bulbs with a neck of medium thickness, which have a round shape and weigh 90-120 g.

The heads are covered with a brownish-yellow husk, the flesh is white, with a greenish tint. The taste is soft, semi-sharp.

For which regions is it best suited and what are the climate requirements?

The hybrid is included in the State Register for the Central, Central Black Earth, Lower Volga and Far Eastern regions.

Reference. When cultivated in areas located north of central European Russia, onions need protection from frost.

When to plant Cupid's onion

Planting of Cupido onions can be planned for spring or autumn. The specific timing depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the method of cultivation:

1. Seeds for seedlings are planted 1.5–2 months before transferring to open ground, i.e. at the end of February - beginning of March.
2. Seedlings are transplanted to the garden bed in mid-May.
3. Sevok can be planted in open ground after the May holidays.
4. When grown in the autumn, the seedlings are planted in the second half of October or early November.

Attention! Cupido onions will not withstand frosts below -10 degrees. Therefore, in winter it can only be grown in heated greenhouses or other premises.

Characteristics of the variety

Cupido is a heterotic hybrid, therefore it is significantly superior to its “parents” (the varieties from which onions are bred) in terms of quality indicators. An increase in yield and other factors was achieved in this way - by crossing the mother plant of onions grown from seed material and the mother plant of a plant obtained from sets.

F1 has another distinctive ability - it is almost impossible to obtain seeds at home, so you have to buy them in specialized stores. If you manage to obtain planting material, then with each new planting the positive qualities of the bulbs decrease.

Characteristics of the Cupido bow:

• the period of formation of heads from the formation of sprouts is 75-80 days;
• preferred climatic conditions - southern regions of Russia, middle zone;
• developed root system;
• the degree of exfoliation of scales is low;
• sharpness – medium;
• weight – from 110 to 150 g;
• the fit of the skin to the head is tight;
• juiciness – increased.

Appearance

You can recognize the Cupido variety by the following external characteristics:

• husk color – golden-straw;
• the bulb is hard to the touch;
• peel – thin;
• shape – rounded-elongated;
• feather height – up to 30-35 cm;
• The shade of the pulp is white-creamy.

Productivity and keeping quality

Cupido onion is considered a high-grade vegetable - farmers collect 300-400 kg from 1 sq.m., from 1 sq.m. m – 3-4 kg. The heads can be stored for up to 9-10 months without changing their taste.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the many undeniable advantages of the variety, the most important ones can be noted:

• high yield and shelf life;
• lack of pronounced bitterness and pungency;
• storage duration;
• transportability;
• rapid ripening;
• ease of care;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• presentable appearance;
• preparedness of seed material (no need to carry out pre-sowing preparation);
• excellent germination and ripening rates - up to 99%;
• drought tolerance;
• possibility of planting before winter and spring;
• suitability for cultivation in greenhouse conditions and open ground;
• versatility of use;
• no tendency to shoot arrows;
• relatively inexpensive cost of planting material.

But onions also have disadvantages:

• intolerance to severe frosts;
• the need for shelter during sudden temperature changes.

Composition and properties

Like other varieties of onions, Cupido is considered a useful product, as it contains various substances:

• phytoncides;
• vitamins – C, E, PP, H, group B;
• fructose;
• glucose;
• essential oil;
• malic acid, citric acid;
• flavonoids;
• oligosaccharides;
• monosaccharides;
• maltose;
• sucrose;
• macroelements – phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, calcium;
• trace elements - zinc, iron, fluorine, iodine, nickel, boron, copper, manganese, etc.

Such a rich composition has a healing effect on the human body, having the following beneficial properties:

• antibacterial effect;
• antiviral effect;
• antiseptic properties;
• strengthening the immune system;
• toning the body;
• hematopoiesis;
• diuretic effect;
• antiscorbutic, expectorant effect.

Where is it used?

Due to the absence of strong pungency and bitterness, the variety has a wide range of uses in cooking - for preparing first and second courses, onion pancakes, sauces, casseroles, salads, snacks, canning, marinades, etc.

In addition, Cupid's onion is actively used in folk medicine to treat many diseases. In cosmetology it is used to strengthen hair follicles.

How to harvest and store crops?

Onions are harvested from mid-summer, depending on the planting date and climatic conditions. Some collection rules:

1. About 2 weeks before the expected date, stop watering the onions.
2. The weather should be sunny and dry. Harvesting begins early in the morning, after which the heads are laid out on beds until the evening to dry.
3. It is forbidden to pull the heads by the tops - you need to dig up the root crop with a shovel or pitchfork, and then remove it from the ground.
4. Do not crush the soil by hitting the bulbs against hard objects. It’s better to wait until the soil dries and the dirt falls off on its own.
5. Depending on the storage method, the tops are cut off (if you plan to braid, leave the greens). The neck should be up to 4 cm long.

How to properly store Cupid's onions:

1. Boxes made of wood or plastic. A mandatory requirement is to make holes on the sides for ventilation.
2. Carton boxes.
3. Baskets made of natural wicker (small size).
4. Fabric bags made of burlap, cotton, linen without synthetic threads.
5. Old nylon tights.
6. Polypropylene mesh.

The best option for storing onions is braiding. The principle is identical to braiding hair, but in this case, twine is required. The rope is folded in half, one onion is fixed by the tail and the other heads are woven in. Advantages: the onion is ventilated, looks beautiful, and does not rot.

Storage conditions:

1. In the basement, the bulbs are stored at a temperature from 0 to +4-7 degrees with a humidity level of 80-85%.
2. In an apartment or house, the air temperature should be 20 degrees, humidity – 70%.

Planting onion sets in the middle zone

In central Russia, onions are grown in a two-year cultural rotation, obtaining sets from nigella in the first year and only the next season - a large head. The optimal time for planting seedlings in open ground is from the end of April and during the first week of May. If you plant it earlier, the turnip will begin to shoot, which will deteriorate the quality of the head.

But it doesn’t happen from year to year, so you need to choose the planting period not only with an eye to the lunar calendar, but also take into account folk signs. If the bird cherry tree has not yet bloomed by the 20th of April, there is no need to rush into sowing.

Advice. To make onion germination go faster, it is recommended to soak the seedlings in a growth stimulator before planting. This will bring the emergence of seedlings closer by 2 weeks.

It is preferable to grow greens from large-fraction seeds, which are planted in greenhouses in the middle zone in spring and early autumn, and in open beds in the summer. When the feather grows, the onion is watered every 3 days and fed once with a urea solution.

Planting sets

To get excellent yields, it is necessary to cultivate zoned plants. For the middle zone, the best varieties of onion sets are already listed in the table above: these are Sturon, Olina, Radar, Stuttgarter, Red Baron, Hercules, Centurion, Black Prince

You should also pay attention to other, no less interesting varieties

Recommended onion varieties for the middle zone

More detailed information about growing onion sets will be provided by the “Big Book of the Gardener and Gardener” (edited by Kizim G.A.), which novice summer residents should take into account

In addition to agrotechnical recommendations, the author mentions onion varieties that are worth paying attention to based on the characteristics of your region. Which onion for the garden a summer resident will choose depends solely on his preferences. But the fact that seedlings for propagation should be chosen of high quality is clear

The second factor for successful cultivation is proper planting, the third is painstaking care of the beds. The combination of agricultural technology allows you to avoid onion diseases and pest invasions.

Landing technology

Cupido is grown using 2 technologies - open ground sowings and seedlings. Each method has its own planting scheme and cultivation features.

In open ground

If the seedlings are planted directly into the ground, regardless of spring or autumn, you must adhere to the following scheme :

• distance between rows – 18-20 cm;
• distance between heads – 8-11 cm;
• The depth of planting the bulbs is from 3 to 5 cm.

Planting process:

• divide the area into beds - make grooves using garden tools;
• moisten with warm, settled water (you can add Kornevin, Epin - root system growth stimulants);
• allow the liquid to be absorbed;
• press the sets into the ground;
• sprinkle with earth, compacting as much as possible;
• mulch, which allows you to maintain the required level of humidity.

Planting seedlings and transplanting into open ground

After careful preparation of the planting material, the grains are planted for seedlings. For this, any container is used - peat cassettes, pots, boxes and the like. The soil can be purchased at the store or prepared yourself. To do this, mix the soil from the garden with peat and humus, which is replaced with compost or vermiculite. The variety loves loose soil, so you can add coconut fibers and river sand for aeration.

Seeds are planted for seedlings starting in February, depending on the climate and the capabilities of the gardener. It is taken into account that seedlings are fully formed 60 days after planting the seed material.

Before planting seeds, be sure to disinfect the soil, as weed roots and pest larvae may remain in it. This is done in different ways:

• pour boiling water over the substrate, let stand for several minutes, dry;
• treat with potassium permanganate solution;
• place the soil in the oven or microwave for 10-15 minutes.

The process of planting seed material:

1. Disinfect containers for seedlings using potassium permanganate.
2. Make small holes in the walls to allow oxygen to enter.
3. Pour the substrate into the container, placing some expanded clay pebbles on the bottom for drainage. The soil layer should be at least 8-9 cm.
4. Lightly compact the surface and make grooves up to 1.5 cm deep.
5. Pour warm water over it.
6. Insert the grains at a distance of 3-5 cm from each other. You can put 2-4 units in each hole.
7. Sprinkle with soil and spray with water from a spray bottle.
8. Be sure to cover with plastic wrap or glass (if you use plastic containers, then with a lid).
9. Place in a warm place (temperature – 22-26 degrees).

The first shoots appear in a week, mass shoots - in 12-15 days. During this period, it is necessary to open the shelter for ventilation once a day, moisten the soil, and maintain the appropriate air temperature.

Rules for caring for seedlings after sprouting:

1. When strong shoots appear, the film is removed and the temperature is slightly reduced (to +10-20°C).
2. Monitor the lighting - light should be present for 12-14 hours. Additional lighting devices - fluorescent or phytolamps - help with this.
3. Water the bulbs often enough to keep the soil moderately moist. The water should be slightly above room temperature and must be settled, since tap water contains substances harmful to plants (chlorine, etc.). After settling for 2-3 days, the elements evaporate and the water becomes suitable for irrigation.
4. When the seedlings begin to grow, be sure to thin them out - there should be a maximum of 2 bulbs left in one hole, but preferably 1.
5. Seedlings require feeding. Fertilizers are applied for the first time 5-7 days after mass germination. The second time - after another 2 weeks. What is used: water – 9-10 l, urea – 10 g, superphosphate – 20 g, potassium chloride – 5 g. If these components are not available, use chicken manure mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10.
6. To develop the root system, trim the leaf part by a couple of centimeters.
7. 12-15 days before transplanting to garden beds, seedlings need to be hardened, that is, prepared for other climatic conditions. To do this, containers are taken outside (balcony) or windows are opened. Plus they artificially create shadow. The procedures are introduced gradually - on the first day an hour is enough, on the next - 2, etc.

Cupido onions are not picked, so the seedlings are immediately planted in open ground. But if you have a desire to transplant plants into other containers, you can safely do this, since the roots of the variety are strong and are not afraid of picking.

Rules of care

Agricultural technology for growing onions involves observing special rules for caring for plants planted in the ground. If you do not adhere to them, then it becomes impossible to grow a quality product and harvest a decent harvest.

Watering

The Cupido variety is highly resistant to drought, so you should not over-moisten the soil. In addition, stagnant water promotes the development of fungal diseases, which lead to rotting of the plant. On average, in the absence of rain, it is enough to water the variety 2-3 times a month.

To prevent a shortage or excess of water, adhere to the main rule of watering - there should be no large cracks on the surface of the earth, and the soil cannot be soggy.

Loosening

The beds are loosened after watering or rain, which eliminates the risk of dry crust formation and saturates the soil with oxygen. When loosening, be careful not to catch the heads with the tools. Try not to expose the bulbs.

Weeding

If there are weeds in the onion beds, the crop stops its growth, as the grass absorbs all the important microelements from the soil. In order for the onion to develop normally, it is necessary to weed as weeds form, pulling them out of the ground along with the root system.

Feeding

Cupido onions prefer fertile soil, but it is not advisable to fertilize too often, so it is enough to feed the soil before planting the crop. If there are few useful substances in the soil, minerals and organic matter are added. If you want to get a feather, fertilize it with nitrogen fertilizer at its growth stage; if you need a large bulb, add potassium and phosphorus.

An alternative option is chicken manure, compost, humus or slurry. You can make a mixture of humus - 3 kg, ammonium nitrate - 10 g, potassium salt - 15 g and superphosphate - 30 g. Distribute the resulting slurry over 1 square meter. m.

Disease and pest control

Cupido is not afraid of diseases and pests, as he has a powerful immune system. But the onion has one enemy - the onion fly. Its presence can be recognized by the following signs:

• wilting of green mass;
• rotting heads;
• suspension of feather growth;
• the appearance of white larvae under the husk.

What to do to prevent and control onion flies:

• In the autumn, dig up the beds to a depth of 20-25 cm, due to which the larvae will end up on the surface of the earth and die before spring.
• Plant carrots or marigolds next to the onions - these plants repel the onion fly.
• Prepare a decoction of coniferous branches - pine, if, fir. Add a little mint to it and spray the feathers.
• Every 10 days, add a saline solution to the soil (1 cup of table salt per 10 liters of water).
• Dandelion root helps a lot - pour the crushed roots with boiling water, let it brew for 2-3 days, then dilute with water (for 200 g of herb - 10 liters of water).
• Water the plant with a weak solution of manganese.
• Combine wood ash - 200 g, 1 tsp. ground black pepper, the same amount of tobacco dust. Sprinkle the mixture onto the onion beds.
• In the store you can buy specialized products - Muhoed, Aktara, Medvetoks, Sochva, Tabazol, Karate Zeon, Zemlin. The drugs are used in strict accordance with the instructions for use.

Preparing for landing

The Cupido variety is not very demanding and whimsical to grow, but to increase productivity and improve the quality of root crops, it is necessary to comply with agrotechnical requirements, which also include preparatory measures before planting planting material.

Conditions

Bulbous culture does not require special conditions - they are standard:

• lack of strong wind;
• sunny side;
• moderate soil and air humidity;
• soil fertility;
• neutral soil acidity;
• no frost;
• optimal soil - sandy loam, loam;
• temperature regime: for planting in open ground – from +12 to +18°С, for germination of seed material – 4-5°С;
• a mature, formed bulb does not die in frost of –7°C.

Selecting a location

When planting Cupido onions in open soil, you need to choose the right place - it should be well lit and ventilated (but without gusts of north wind).

The variety does not tolerate high humidity, against which putrefactive diseases develop, so the site should have a slight slope to allow precipitation to drain.

Be sure to observe crop rotation - plant onions after zucchini, cucumbers, legumes and nightshades, watermelons and melons, pumpkins and squash.

Soil preparation

Successful cultivation of a bulbous crop requires fertile and loose soil, so regardless of the planting period, the soil is fertilized and carefully dug up. Fertilizers usually include organic matter - compost, slurry, humus, chicken droppings.

Immediately before planting the planting material, weeds are removed along with the root system, the surface of the earth is leveled with a rake, after which furrows can be made with a depth of 5 to 7 cm (the distance between the rows is 20 cm).

Selection and preparation of seed material

Since Cupido onion is a heterotic F1 hybrid, the seeds are usually purchased in specialized stores. Such material has already been processed for disinfection, so the first preparation points are skipped.

However, today you can also find uncertified seeds on sale (without a certification document from the manufacturer), so it is worth taking advantage of all the preparatory measures:

1. Carefully inspect the appearance of the planting material for signs of damage, mold, rot, and stains. If present, discard them. If you choose seeds, they should have an even shape; if you select seeds, they should have a golden husk, a thin neck.
2. It is important to determine the hollowness of the material, since such seeds will not germinate. To do this, immerse the grain in a saline solution for 10-15 minutes - the healthy material will sink.
3. To disinfect, prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate, dip seeds or sets in it for 20-40 minutes. Afterwards, rinse them under running water and dry.
4. To speed up the germination process, use special growth stimulants that can be bought in the store.
5. The penultimate stage is germination. To do this, the planting material is wrapped in a damp cloth, laid out on a flat container and left in a warm place for 3-4 days. As the fabric dries, spray it with water to keep the seeds in a moist environment. But there is another way to germinate seeds and sets - in a peat cup.
6. Finally, you need to harden the sprouted material - reduce the air temperature in the room daily.

Landing dates

Sevok is planted in autumn or spring in open ground. In the first case, it may be October-November, depending on the climate of the region. If we talk about spring planting, then in the middle zone the onions are transferred to the ground after April 25, in the south - from April 10.

If the temperature conditions outside do not meet the standards (frosts are expected, etc.), it is more advisable to plant onions under a greenhouse or in a greenhouse. Seedlings are transferred to open ground after the weather has stabilized.

What you need to know about growing

Onions are easy to grow. It has a short growing season. The most common diseases of the onion family are downy mildew and gray rot. The main pest is the onion fly. If you choose Cupido f1 for growing, then it will be easier to cope with these troubles, if they arise at all.

As gratitude for your work, you can get a friend who will feed you and treat you. Onion phytoncides can defeat tuberculosis, diphtheria, not to mention the notorious cold. Its bactericidal and antiseptic properties have long been used in pharmaceuticals. The description of the variety once again proves that this plant is a real treasure.

Preparing the beds and soil

The hybrid is thermophilic, so you need to choose a site for planting it that is sunny but protected from the wind.
The soil should be loose, fertile and neutral acidity.

The main stages of preparing a bed for sowing vegetables include digging up and fertilizing the soil, clearing it of weeds. It is necessary to feed the soil with organic fertilizers .

Growing conditions

Cupido is not picky and not too demanding of his surroundings, but he still has his own preferences. It likes to grow in areas that are exposed to sunlight but not exposed to strong winds.

Dutch onions are afraid of the cold. Sudden changes in temperature from minus to plus can cause shoots to form or even destroy the plant. Therefore, sets should be planted when there is no danger of frost: in the fall - three weeks before the onset of cold weather, and in the spring - when the temperature is already above zero.

The Cupido variety likes moderate humidity. Too wet soil or drought is not to his taste. Therefore, it is advisable to water it as the soil dries out.

Description: appearance, features, taste

Cupid onion is an early high-yielding hybrid of Dutch selection . Onion skins are light brown or golden in color. The peel is thin, but not prone to peeling and retains its shape well. The bulbs are round in shape, slightly elongated, dense and elastic to the touch. The color of the pulp is creamy. The height of the feathers reaches up to 25-30 cm. It rarely produces arrows. The root system is well developed. One onion can weigh 130-150 grams.

This onion is harvested 75-85 days after emergence.

The cupido bow has a lot of positive features.

• Early ripening and high yields.
• Excellent taste characteristics.
• Lack of formation of arrows.
• Easy to grow.
• Resistance to diseases and pests.
• Suitable for both spring and winter planting.
• Long shelf life and good shelf life, while taste and appearance do not change.
• High transportability.

The taste of cupid onion is medium-hot , great for:

• salads;
• main courses;
• blanks;
• snacks;
• can be used in baby food.

Characteristics and productivity of onions

Of the entire line of onion varieties and hybrids bred in the Netherlands, Cupido F1 is the earliest. From the moment of emergence of seedlings to the complete formation of the head, an average of 75 to 82 days passes. The yield of the hybrid is quite high: from 1 square meter of area you can harvest 4 or more kilograms of onions. Optimally suitable for cultivation in the central zone of the European part of the Russian Federation, as well as in more southern regions. Widely cultivated throughout Ukraine.

Valued for its unpretentiousness, high vitality and rapid adaptability to different climatic conditions. Cupido F1 can be used in all culinary directions where onions may be present. Thanks to its soft and unobtrusive spiciness, it is very convenient to put in salads, add to soups, main courses, snacks and preparations.

Rules for choosing a bow

Taking the first step towards a good harvest, you need to choose the right planting material. Among onions, the Cupido variety is ideal for the middle climate zone.

The excellent characteristics of this onion variety make it a top seller. He:

• ultra-early (81 days from germination);
• productive (the average onion weighs 110 g);
• has a slightly spicy taste;
• excellent in storage (up to 9 months);
• has an excellent presentation.

A high-quality planting onion set should be dry and rustle pleasantly under your hand. The presence of mold or the unpleasant smell of rot is unacceptable; the shape and color must be in accordance with the selected variety. In the case of Cupido, the set has an oblong bulb with a narrow neck of a beautiful creamy golden color. This onion variety is a real find for modern people.