BOTANICAL NAME: Allium chinense
COMMON NAMES: Rakkyo, Chinese Onion, Chinese Scallion, Oriental Onion, Jiao Tou / Chiao Tou (Chinese), Cu Kieu (Vietnamese)
FAMILY: Alliaceae
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Rakkyo is a hardy plant native to China and naturalized in Japan, Korea, Russia and Mongolia. It grows as a dense evergreen clump with small, pretty, deep rose pink flowers. It is tolerant of a range of growing conditions. A staple vegetable in cuisines ranging from Japan to China, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, Rakkyo is a multiplying onion that in just a few seasons becomes hugely productive.
ECOLOGY
Position: Plant in a sunny, well-drained position.
Soil Type: Rakkyo is very intolerant of poorly drained soil. Prepare the soil a few months before planting. Add wood ash (for potash) and lime (for calcium) to sweeten acid soil. For a good crop, a rich, loam soil with even watering is preferred.
PLANTING DETAILS
Recommended planting time: In most areas bulbs are planted in late summer to autumn.
Planting depth: Do not plant too deeply, just below the surface of the soil.
Plant spacing: Space bulbs 10 cm apart, in rows 60 cm apart.
HARVEST
Once the leaves die back over summer, harvest by digging the clumps and spreading out on a wire screen in a cool, well ventilated shelter. Trim off the dry tops and roots. Use a large onion bag to wash the bulbs, free of dirt. Keep rinsing until all the skins have washed off. Dry before pickling or cooking.
