Super Star

Family: Amaryllidaceae Bulb Onion

Aromatically sweet at first touch, Super Star onions develop a mellow, golden depth with a crisp snap and a finely layered, tender bite.

Their intermediate-day timing brings dependable bulbs to the garden in about 110 days, forming well-rounded shapes with a handsome, papery sheen that stores with confidence. Grow Super Star for bold flavor in everyday cooking, from roasting and sautéing to savory sauces and pickling brines—an all-purpose onion that stays vibrant from harvest through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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	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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Super Star’s intermediate-day sweetness is built for the first bite—raw or barely cooked it stays crisp, while heat coaxes it into a mellow, golden “browned-silk” texture for pan sauces. Use it when you want onion flavor to show up clearly without turning sharp or watery.

Best Uses

caramelizing or roasting whole-thick slices for browned edges and jammy centers
hot sauté and quick pan sauce building base for chicken, mushrooms, or sausage
thin-sliced raw applications where you want sweet crunch without harshness
quick-pickling in brine for bright, candy-like onion tang

Flavor Profile

initially sweet, aromatic allium bite mellow golden depth with a rounded finish crisp snap turning tender and slightly jammy when cooked finely layered, not stringy—clean slices

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme sherry vinegar chicken stock goat cheese mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat onion (Allium cepa) downy mildew or purple blotch?

In onions (Allium cepa), downy mildew and purple blotch show as gray/whitish fuzzy patches or purple lesions on leaves, especially when nights are cool and foliage stays wet. Water at the base so leaves dry quickly, remove badly infected tops, and improve airflow by spacing bulbs properly. If problems start early, use a labeled onion fungicide and keep spraying on the label schedule until you see new growth staying clean.

How often should I water super star onions during the main bulbing phase?

During bulbing (often after seedlings establish and days length increases), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rain and irrigation, adjusting for heat and soil drainage. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot, then water deeply to encourage strong root systems. Once tops begin to yellow and fall naturally, reduce watering to help bulbs finish and cure.

When are super star onions ready to harvest, and how can I confirm it?

Harvest when about 50–70% of tops have fallen over and the remaining leaves are yellowing, typically around 110 days for this type of Allium cepa. Lift a few bulbs first to check: skins should feel papery and tight, and the bulb neck should be firm. Cure harvested onions in a warm, airy spot for 1–2 weeks until outer skins are fully dry, then trim roots and tops for storage.