About

Allium cepa (Aggregatum Group) 'Meloine' PBR is a prolific annual vegetable that offers a mild sweetness distinct from traditional onions. It develops a rounded bulb with reddish-brown skin and firm white flesh, typically yielding clusters of up to eight bulbs at harvest. This variety exhibits some resistance to downy mildew, making it a reliable choice for growers.

About the genus

Allium consists of bulbous herbaceous perennials characterized by a pronounced onion or garlic aroma. They feature linear, strap-like, or cylindrical leaves that arise from the base. The flowers, which can be star-shaped or bell-shaped, are arranged in an umbel atop a stem that lacks leaves.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Sand, Loam, Clay
Soil pH
Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Herbs - Culinary, Bulbs
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
1 year
Suggested uses
Patio and container plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun in a sheltered site. Remove any flower stems as they start to form. Suitable for growing in deep containers. See Vegetable Cultivation
Pruning
Propagate by seed or by planting out sets in Spring
Propagation
No prunnig required
Pest resistance
Birds can be a problem when young, cover with fleece until bulbs have rooted in
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to onion white rot and leek rust. Shows some resistance to onion downy mildew