Allium fistulosum is a member of the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family. In China, it is called "Cong"; in Japan, "Negi".
Varieties include White Spear, Evergreen, Kujo (Kujyo) Multistalk, Ishikura Long, He-shi-ko, Nebuka, Kincho, Red Beard, Tsukuba (heat resistant variety, grow in spring for summer use), Multi-Stalk, and Tokyo Long White. In Japan, very thick bladed types are also grown; among the popular varieties are Kaga, Shimonita, Senju and Kuronobori. Hybrids between A. cepa x A. fistulosum: White Knight, and Beltsville Bunching.

A garden variety of perennial green onion which produces tillers from the stem. Although it is a perennial, it is typically grown as an annual. It does not form a bulb. It grows in clumps with several tillers bunched together. The stalks are silvery white and about 3/4 inch in diameter. Depending on the variety they will grow 6 to 24 inches long.

This is one of the few Allium species that can cross-pollinate with the common onion. As a result, many of the commonly grown green bunching onions are Allium cepa x Allium fistulosum crosses. The non-bulbing and disease resistance characteristics of A. fistulosum are combined with the high vigor and smaller leaf blades and bases of A. cepa.

Other names. Ndoh trah (Hmong); nebuka (Japanese); chung (Chinese); sibuyas (Filipino); hanh-ta (Vietnamese).

Marketing. The giant ones have a limited market but are expensive items. Some markets would like to see more of the small varieties of bunching onions (such as purple ones). Since Mexico has some economic advantage with this labor intensive crop, one way to compete is by having a better variety, of which the small ones are an example.

Use. The hollow tube-like leaves are used. Or, the leaf blades and bases are used much like a common green bunching onion. The leaves are sometimes blanched by mounding soil around the lower leaf base to a height of 10 inches or more.

Climatic requirements. It is a cool season vegetable but varieties exist with a wide range of climate adaptability. Most common varieties in the U.S. are winter hardy under most California conditions.

Propagation and care. Propagation is generally by seed, but can be grown as an overwintering perennial. Plant seed 1/2 inch deep. Planting can be done in the fall for spring harvest, early spring for summer harvest, or late spring for late summer harvest. Bolting (formation of seedstalk) can be a problem if planted in the fall or winter. Needs well drained soil. Thin to a spacing of 3 to 4 inches between plants as they will form bunches from a single seed, or plant thick (1/2 - 1") and transplant when plants are 6" high. It has a growing season of about 4 months (longer if planted in fall or winter).

Like other Alliums, the root system is sparse and shallow. Thus, at planting time complete fertilizer followed by 2 to 3 additional nitrogenous fertilizer applications is recommended. Frequent, light irrigations are best. Competition against weeds is poor, so site selection and weed control practices are important.

By Ron Voss, Vegetable Specialist, Vegetable Crops Dept., UC Davis and Claudia Myers, UC Small Farm Center, UC Davis.

Captions:

Figure 1. Japanese bunching onion grows 6 to 24 inches tall. (Photo by Hunter Johnson).

Reviewed by Keith Mayberry, 9/89

Reviewed by Mike Murray, 12/89

Reviewed by Bif Soper, 12/15/89

Reviewed by Ron Voss, 1/18/90

4/30/90