How to Grow Egyptian Walking Onions

Egyptian Walking Onions, Aka Multiplier Onions Or Top-Setting Onions, Are A Unique Perennial Form Of Onion (Allium Cepa Var. Aggregatum) That Produces Small Bulbs On The Stems, Resembling A Miniature Onion Plant Walking On Stilts.

The leaves, miniature bulbs (bulbils) and the main bulb, which forms clumps, can be eaten. Egyptian walking onions have a mild flavour, are versatile in the kitchen and are easy to cultivate.

Benefits of Growing Multiplier Onions

Easy to grow: Multiplier Onions are low-maintenance and require minimal care.
Hardy: They are tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.
Versatile: They can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries.
Prolific: They produce abundant harvests of small onions over a very long season.

Planting Egyptian Walking Onions

When to Plant Walking Onions

The best time to plant Egyptian walking onions depends on your local climate. In colder regions, plant them in early spring after the last frost. In warmer regions, you can plant them in autumn for a spring harvest. In Devon, I tend to plant them whenever I feel like it .. whenever I have offsets or a clump to divide. In autumn I tend to plant the bulbils in plant module and start them in the greenhouse for later transplanting as a succession crop.

Soil Preparation

Top-Setting Onions prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Prepare your beds by removing any weeds and adding compost or well-rotted manure. Walking onions are ideal in No Dig conditions as they are more likely to be weed free.

Planting Methods

You can plant the onions from sets or from divided clumps.

Sets: Plant the sets about 2-3 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart.
Divided clumps: Divide the clumps into individual bulbs and plant them about 2-3 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart.

Caring for Egyptian Walking Onions

Watering Requirements

For maximum growth walking onions require regular watering, especially during dry periods. Ideally keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. But we live in the real world and they will survive a lack of rain in summer if planted deep enough. This is another reason why I prefer to grow them No Dig, they tend to be able to access moisture better.

Nutrition

You can feed your Egyptian walking onions with an organic fertiliser at the start of the growing season. Avoid excess nutrients, as this can lead to excessive top growth and reduce bulb production. In a No Dig bed they need no feeding except the normal compost addition.

Weeding and Mulching

Keep the area around your onions free of weeds to prevent competition for resources. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the bulbs from extreme temperatures.

Harvesting Egyptian Walking Onions

When to Harvest

Walking onions are ready to harvest when the bulbils are firm and the tops have turned yellow. Or when you have e sufficient sized clumps to divide. You can harvest them throughout the year.

Harvesting Methods

To harvest Egyptian walking onions, simply pull the bulbs from the ground. If you want to save some for planting the following year, leave a few bulbs in the ground to produce offsets. Or remove the bulbils as required.

Storage

You can store harvested Egyptian walking onions in a cool, dry place for several months. They can also be frozen for longer storage. Pickling is another alternative.

Propagating Egyptian Walking Onions

They are easy to propagate by dividing clumps or planting offsets.

Dividing Clumps

Every few years, divide your clumps of walking onions to prevent overcrowding. Carefully dig up the clumps and separate them into individual bulbs. Replant the bulbs immediately.

Planting Offsets

Offsets are the small bulbs/bulbils that grow on the stems of walking onions. People tend to use the names interchangeably but they are all the dame thing! You can plant these offsets to produce new plants. Plant them about 2-3 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart.

Common Problems and Solutions

Pests and diseases: These onions are generally resistant to most UK pests and diseases, but they can occasionally succumb to pests and fungal diseases. Monitor your plants regularly and take appropriate action if you notice any problems.
Nutrient deficiencies: Yellowing leaves or stunted growth can be signs of nutrient deficiencies. If you suspect a nutrient deficiency, apply a fertiliser containing NPK and trace elements.