Roderique

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Roderique shallots bring a vivid, pungent perfume that blooms as soon as they’re opened—sharp yet elegantly sweet at the finish.

The bulbs form neat, elongated clusters with a smooth, burnished skin and a firm, fine-grained texture that holds its character beautifully for roasting and sautéing, as well as for bold sauces and quick pickling. Grow Roderique for a dependable 110-day season and a harvest that feels tailor-made for pantry staples and garden-to-jar flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 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 18th
Harvest Begins	Aug 6th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
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)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Roderique’s sharper, bloom-at-the-slice pungency makes it a standout when you want shallot flavor that actually shows up—sauté it hot for a sweet-pepper finish or pickle it for a clean, snappy bite. Its firm, fine-grained interior holds together under roasting, so you get flavor without mushy texture in the pan.

Best Uses

sauté or roast until deeply golden for a caramel-sweet, peppery edge
quick pickling for crunchy, punchy acidity
mash into bold pan sauces where it thickens and perfumes
thin slicing for raw/near-raw use in sharp vinaigrettes

Flavor Profile

vivid pungent perfume sharp bite that turns elegantly sweet firm, fine-grained texture with clean snap stands up to heat without going dull

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar tarragon red wine butter pork aged cheddar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium cepa var. aggregatum (French Grey/Roderique) and how can I prevent it?

Onions (Allium cepa) are commonly hit by onion downy mildew and fungal leaf blights, which show up as pale or yellowing tips and fuzzy gray/black growth on wet leaves. Start with healthy sets/seed, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and avoid crowding so leaves dry fast after rain. If you see widespread early infection, remove affected leaves immediately and switch to a preventive copper-based spray labeled for onions, following label rates and reapplication intervals.

How often should I water Roderique during the main bulbing growth phase?

During bulbing (mid-season), keep the soil consistently lightly moist—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings depending on heat and soil drainage. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to reduce downy mildew pressure, but don’t let the bulbs get repeatedly stressed. Stop regular watering when the tops begin to fall over and green growth slows, so bulbs cure instead of staying watery.

How do I tell when Roderique is ready to harvest?

Harvest after about 110 days when most tops have yellowed and flopped over, and the outer skins are papery and well formed. Lift a bulb and check: the neck should be tight (not soft), and the outer layer should peel cleanly without tearing. Harvest on a dry day, cure the bulbs with tops attached in a warm, airy spot for 1–2 weeks before storing.