Perennial Welsh-onions (bunching) grow in clumps like chives, with hollow leaves up to 18in (45cm) tall. The base of the leave is thickened at and below ground level. Welsh onions are a useful winter vegetable, eaten raw or cooked. They can survive temperatures as low as 14F ( -10C).

Developed from the Welsh-onion, the Japanese or oriental bunching onion is a ubiquitous Chinese vegetable. A perennial, usually grown as an annual or biennial, the plants are usually harvested from any stage from seedling to fully-grown. They tend to be more productive and hardy than Welsh-onions. Bunching onions can be multi or single stemmed, white or red.

Ideal Site- Welsh-onions prefer an open sunny location but will tolerate a little shade. Autumn sown/planted onions need full sun and must have good drainage. Welsh-onions look good amongst other plants but cannot be crowded. Prior to planting little or nothing needs to be done if a previous crop improved the soil. If not, add a low to medium-fertility soil improver. The ideal pH range for Welsh-onions is 6-7.

Seed to Harvest- Welsh onions can be harvested from 30-40 days as young seedlings, 60-80 days as small bunch onions, or scallions, and 90-120 days as large bunch onions..

Cultivation- The minimum germination temperature is 45F (7C)/ Oriental bunching onions can be sown in cell packs for transplanting., or sown direct. Sow Welsh-onions undercover in April.; harden off and transplant 6 weeks later.

Outside- Sow in spring or summer. Sow in shallow rows, a pinch of 3 to 4 seeds every 2in. (5cm); allowing 8 in (20cm) between rows. Transplant to rows 9 x 12ion (23 x 30cm), in blocks 8in. (20cm). Divide established clumps and replant younger outer sections.

Plant Care- For winter harvest in cold areas, protect crop Welsh-onions with cloches or frames. Divide established clumps every 4-5 years. Remove spent flowerheads from cultivars that flower.

Problems- Thrips, stem and bulb nematodes, down mildew, onion white rot.

Harvesting- To harvest Welsh-onions as small leafy shoots, sow year round undercover; from spring to autumn outside. Sow thickly in wide rows Harvest when 6in (15cm) tall, 30-40 days after sowing.

To harvest as large scallions, small bunching onions sow thinly in wide rows thinning to 1 ½ in (4cm), or multisow, 6 seeds per cell, to transplant. Harvest when 12in (30cm0 Tall 60-80 days.

To harvest as larger bunching onions, sow in cell packs in spring or early summer. Transplant 4-8 weeks for a late summer/ early autumn harvest or following spring. Row spacing should be 3-12in (7.5- 30cm), or in blocks 8in (20cm). Ready to harvest in 3-4 months. Use the thickened white stem and green leaves.

Nutrients- Welsh- onions contain chromium, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, folate, molybderum, tryptophan, dietary fiber, and vitamin B6, C