Torpedo Onion
The Red Long of Tropea brings the Mediterranean's most sought-after onion specialty to your garden, producing distinctive elongated purple bulbs that add stunning color to any dish. This rare variety excels as both a bunching and fresh onion, reaching harvest in 90 days from seed. Unlike storage onions, Tropea's magic lies in its fantastic flavor and unique ability to be pulled fresh throughout the growing season without forming a protective skin until 2-3 months in.
4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
?in H x 12in W
Annual
Moderate
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This Mediterranean specialty stands apart with its tall, elongated red bulbs that bring both visual drama and exceptional flavor to the kitchen. The variety's unique growth pattern means no skin forms for the first few months, making the mini onions incredibly easy to wash and prepare when pulled fresh. Its rarity and specialized growing requirements make it a true treasure for gardeners at 40° latitude and higher who want to cultivate something genuinely special.
Perfect for fresh preparations where its elongated purple bulbs and fantastic flavor truly shine. The variety excels as a bunching onion that can be pulled whenever needed throughout the growing season. Its striking color makes it particularly valuable for adding visual appeal to salads, garnishes, and Mediterranean dishes where both flavor and presentation matter.
Sow in early spring in 2-4 inch wide bands or single rows, placing seeds about 1/2 inch apart. Cover seeds with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil. Thinning is not necessary with proper initial spacing.
Pull by the bunch whenever needed throughout the growing season. The variety's unique characteristic means no protective skin forms until 2-3 months into the season, making early harvests particularly easy to clean and prepare. This fresh-harvest approach is key to enjoying the variety at its peak flavor and texture.
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