The previous week I had tackled the topic of how to prepare an onion nursery, step by step. And I had promised to continue next time with the management of the nursery. It’s vital to know how to manage the nursery inorder to have healthy seedlings free of pests and diseases. At the end of this post I hope you would’ve learned something.
Last time we left after you’ve erected a shade over your nursery to cushion the delicate shoots from the hot sun and storms, especially the ones with hailstones. The shade can also prevent strong winds from harming the delicate young onions. We also said you have to water the nursery at least twice a day; in the morning and evening. This will ensure sufficient moisture in the soil required for growth. But watering will depend on the atmospheric conditions of your place. You can avoid it during rainy days.
Keep your farm free of weeds. Weeds compete with seedlings for nutrients and space so remove any weeds by hand. Using a hoe or any such tool might damage the seedling ind hampering their growth, so it’s not encouraged.
By the third week you can drench the seedlings with root guard — personally what I do. Root guard will help eliminate damaging fungal pathogens in the soil and stimulate roots. Just make sure to not touch the seedlings as it might burn it during drenching. You can also start spraying with starter fertilizer with low concentration and increase as the seedlings matures. Do it in space of two weeks. The starter will give the seedlings enough boost for vigorous growth.
Basically, onion seedlings take about two months to be ready for transplanting. By the end of that period the seedlings will be strong. At this stage the seedlings are ready to be transplanted. But two weeks before transplanting you have to harden off by removing the shade. Hardening off is important as it introduces the seedlings to the harsh outside conditions that prepares them.
In the meantime continue watering only once a day, in the morning or evening. By now should have your beds well prepared and ready to receive the seedlings.
I hope this was helpful. Kindly leave your thoughts on the comment box, or reach me on Twitter.