Conservor

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweet, mellow shallot flavor blooms with a gentle, aromatic depth—Conservor’s bulbs develop a beautifully balanced taste that lingers on the palate.

At maturity, the cloves form tidy, uniform bulbs with a firm, dry-skinned texture and a crisp, juicy interior that’s ideal for layering into everyday favorites. Grow Conservor for reliable, long-keeping harvests and a dependable shallot character you’ll reach for again and again.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Conservor shallots lean sweet and mellow, so they reward treatment that showcases aroma—fast sauté, light caramelization, or pickling—rather than brute-force raw heat. Their crisp-juicy interior keeps the onion bite intact, giving pan sauces and relishes a clean, lingering allium presence.

Best Uses

thin slices in warm vinaigrettes where it softens without turning sharp
quick-pickle or brine to keep that crisp, juicy interior lively
slow-sauté for silky fond that still tastes bright
mince for browned-butter relishes and pan sauces where it won’t overpower

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow allium flavor aromatic, gentle depth crisp-juicy bite with firm, dry-skinned snap clean, lingering finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter white wine fresh thyme parmesan chicken mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

What common disease affects Allium cepa var. aggregatum (conservor/cippolini-style onions), and how do I manage it at home?

Onions in Allium cepa var. aggregatum are commonly hit by downy mildew (often showing as gray-purple fuzzy growth on leaves and yellowing). Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage, then remove affected tops early; if it keeps spreading, use a labeled copper fungicide and follow the product’s interval (especially during humid weather). Also pull and discard severely infected plants so they don’t serve as a reservoir for the next cycle of spores.

How often should I water conservor (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) during the main bulbing phase?

During bulb formation, keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Don’t let the soil dry out completely between waterings, but also avoid soggy beds because Allium cepa var. aggregatum will develop rot in waterlogged soil. Stop regular deep watering once tops begin to yellow and fall over near maturity so bulbs can dry down properly.

How can I tell when conservor (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when about half the leaves have yellowed and started to lodge (fall over), and the necks feel tighter and less juicy. Typically this is around 90 days, but use leaf condition and firmness as the guide. Lift bulbs carefully to avoid bruising, then cure in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun for about 1–2 weeks before storage.