Rossa di Milano' Onion – Experimental Farm Network Seed Store

June 03,2024

Allium cepa Origin: Milan, Italy Improvement status: Cultivar Seeds per packet: ~100 Germination tested 11/2023: 98% Life cycle: Biennial A fantastic red storage onion. An Italian heirloom with a top-heavy, top-like shape, 'Rossa di Milano' performs very well when grown from seed. Our growers even noticed a strong re.

Allium cepa

Origin: Milan, Italy

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: ~100

Germination tested 11/2023: 98%

Life cycle: Biennial

A fantastic red storage onion. An Italian heirloom with a top-heavy, top-like shape, 'Rossa di Milano' performs very well when grown from seed. Our growers even noticed a strong resistance to the dreaded purple blotch disease (caused by the Alternaria fungus) compared to other heirlooms and hybrids.

Our seeds were grown by Eric Kampe of Ann Arbor Seeds in Michigan, who has been maintaining a great strain of this onion variety.

GROWING TIPS: Plant in trays in March shooting to drop seeds 1/4 inch apart, topdress with compost bi-weekly or as needed, transplanting out in early May. Plants should be 3-6 inches apart, in rows 12-24 inches apart. Onions can also be planted in bunches, with 2-3 seedlings next to each other every foot or so. Allow onions to dry in field until tops flop over for best storage.