SHALLOT CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES

Shallots are commonly used as a spice. Young leaves and stems, as well as old bulbs, can be used for stir-frying, cooking, marinating food... There is a folk saying:

It is believed that eating pork requires shallots. Old shallots are also used for pickling, especially during the Lunar New Year. Dried shallots have excellent storage capabilities, which gives them a significant advantage over green onions.

In medicine: Shallots stimulate digestion. Traditional medicine uses shallots to treat: colds, detoxification, boils, etc. Shallots and garlic contain the antibacterial substance allicin , so eating them is very beneficial for preventing flu and respiratory infections in winter.

• Root system: Fasciculated roots, distributed mainly in the topsoil layer. The root system can tolerate drought but cannot tolerate waterlogging.
• Stem: The true stem is very short, called the basal plate. The false stem consists of enlarged leaf sheaths containing nutrients, which form the bulb when mature.
• Leaves: Tubular, hollow, round, 30 - 40cm long, green, with a thin layer of wax on the surface.

• Climate: Prefers cool climates, can tolerate cold.
• Light: Light-loving plant.
• Soil: Prefers loose, humus-rich soil, neutral pH from 6 - 6.5 (can tolerate pH 5 - 5.5).

1. Season

• Red River Delta & Northern Midlands: Early loading: Early September (choose high fields, good drainage).
• Main season: Mid-September to mid-October.

2. Soil and Fertilizer

Soil: Should rotate with wet rice. Plough thoroughly, loose, weed-free. Beds 1.1 - 1.2m wide, 15 - 20cm high, furrows 25 - 30cm wide.

• check_circleDecomposed Manure: 1.5 - 2 tons
• check_circleNitrogen (Urea): 13 - 15kg
• check_circleSuperphosphate: 30 - 45kg
• check_circlePotassium Chloride: 15 - 20kg

* Basal dressing: All organic fertilizer + phosphate + 1/3 potassium (mix well into soil at a depth of 7-10cm). * Tip: Using decomposed poultry manure (composted 5-6 months) is very effective. Never use fresh manure.

3. Planting Technique

• Seeds: Need 40 - 50kg seed bulbs/1,000m². Choose old bulbs, trim roots, peel outer skin (do not peel all the silk skin). Soak in 2-3% Superphosphate solution for 2-3 hours.
• Density: Spacing 20 x 15cm or 15 x 15cm (33,000 - 48,000 plants/1,000m²).
• Planting: Press the shallot bulb down to a depth of about 2/3 of the bulb. Cover with fine soil.
• Mulching: After planting, cover the bed surface with straw/garbage mulch to keep moisture and limit weeds.

4. Care & Pest Control

Water twice a day (morning, afternoon) until sprouting. Then keep moist regularly (furrow or ladle watering). Stop watering 3-4 weeks before harvest.

* Do not water late in the afternoon. Critical periods: 35-40 days, 50 days, 60 days after planting.

Apply 3-4 times (20-25 days, 35-40 days, 50 and 60 days after planting). Dilute concentration 1-2%, pour 7-10cm away from the base. Rinse leaves with water after fertilizing.

* Note: Supplement Potassium on day 50 and 60 to form bulbs.

• Timing: 120 - 130 days after planting. When leaves near the base turn yellow and the upper part wilts.
• Pre-harvest: Let the field dry 1 month before.
• Harvesting: Pull up the whole plant, shake off soil. Spread on the ground to dry the skin (if weather is dry).
• Storage: Tie in bunches of 1-2kg, dry in light sun until stems and leaves are dry, skin turns cockroaches brown. Hang in a cool, dry, elevated place (preferably where there is kitchen smoke).
• Yield: Average 15 - 20 tons fresh/ha.