Red Long Of Tropea

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweetly aromatic and richly colored, Red Long Of Tropea forms elegant, elongated bulbs with a deep garnet-red skin that glows like burnished velvet.

The flesh is crisp and juicy, offering a gentle bite that mellows beautifully—ideal for roasting, caramelizing, and slow-simmered sauces, as well as standout fresh slices and pickling. Grow it for its distinctive long silhouette and dependable, harvest-ready bulbs that look as striking as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Botanical illustration of Red Long Of Tropea

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Sep 6th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This long red onion gives you a sweet, aromatic strike at first bite, then turns tender and juicy instead of going sharp. Use it where the sugars can work—roast, caramelize, or simmer—so you get glossy, velvet-dark results that don’t overwhelm delicate cheeses or stocks.

Best Uses

thin, raw slices for crisp salads where you want clean crunch not harsh sting
slow caramelizing until jammy and dark without turning bitter
roasting or sheet-pan browning for silky edges and juicy interior
slow-simmered red onion sauces that stay sweet and clean, not sharp

Flavor Profile

sweetly aromatic oniony bite crisp, juicy crunch mellowing tenderness with gentle caramel notes deep garnet-skin sweetness when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar goat cheese thyme butter brisket chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Allium cepa (red onion) in home gardens, and how can I manage it?

Onions (Allium cepa) are commonly hit by purple blotch (Alternaria porri) and botrytis neck rot, especially when foliage stays wet. Water at the soil line, space plants so air circulates, and remove any yellowing or infected leaves; if purple blotch appears, start a labeled fungicide early and repeat as directed. For neck rot prevention, avoid bruising bulbs at harvest and cure them promptly until the neck is tight and dry.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase?

During active bulbing (mid-season), keep the top 2–4 inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply when the soil surface begins to dry, and stop watering 10–14 days before harvest so the bulbs can cure and not stay overly wet. Avoid frequent light sprinkling that wets the onion tops.

How do I tell when Allium cepa (red onions) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the tops begin to fall over naturally and about 50–70% of the leaves are down, and the bulb skins feel papery. Use the days to maturity (~120) as a guide, but rely on the topping and skin quality. Lift carefully, cure bulbs in a dry, airy spot until the neck is tight and dry, then trim roots and tops.