Bow Bandit

Leeks became widespread not so long ago as onions, but gradually won the hearts of gardeners of all levels. Bandit is one of the most popular varieties of this type of onion, its upper part, which is located above the ground, is edible. It has no traditional heads. This variety is in demand due to its frost resistance and excellent transportability, safety. Gardeners owe the appearance of this variety to breeders from Holland.

This type of leek belongs to biennial crops, it ripens late and is planted in the spring. And at the end of the season, it is transplanted for the winter period and cultivation in the second year. The variety tolerates cold well, so it is great for our country. It has its merits that make it so popular:

• excellent taste;

• good marketability;

• keeps well;

• feels great in hot and cold weather;

• excellent immunity;

• shoots are not inclined;

• regardless of climate, productivity is at the level;

• south and north are suitable for cultivation.

Visually, the Bandit has the following characteristics:

• white base of the trunk;

• the foliage at the top has a juicy dark green color;

• sometimes anthocyanin-colored;

• length varies from 25 to 30 cm;

• in diameter reaches from 3 to 4 cm;

• complemented by a groove.

The taste of this leek is one of its main advantages, it is quite balanced and pleasant. The purpose is universal, well suited for salads, appetizers, sandwiches. Can be safely added to fried, baked and boiled dishes. Onions gorgeously emphasize the taste of meat and vegetables. A rich aroma, lack of bitterness, unpleasant harshness and pungency also emit the Bandit.

In terms of timing, the variety belongs to medium late. As for the growing season, from germination to harvesting, the number of days on average is about 140.

Another advantage of the Bandit is an excellent yield level, good productivity. As for the amount of yield - on average, you can get about 6 kg per square meter.

This variety is sown at the end of the first month of spring to get seedlings. The variety will ripen, taking into account planting in the middle lane from September to November. Planting of seedling bushes is carried out in the 2nd or 3rd decade of May. They are transplanted to a permanent site.

In general, the care for this variety is standard, but it needs to be done on a regular basis. Otherwise, a good result cannot be achieved.

• Moisturizing. Watering is very important for this variety, as the lack of moisture will affect the development and quality of the plant. You should not choose cold water for the procedure, the best option is warm, settled. It is necessary to repeat the procedure once a week or a little more often. Per sq. meter of the garden requires 10 liters of moisture. If the summer is hot and dry, the number of waterings is doubled.But you should exclude stagnation of water in the garden, as this is also harmful to the roots.

• Hilling. It is also an important element of agricultural technology, the stems are spud for the first time after reaching a diameter of 7 mm or a little more. The procedure consists of collecting soil and moving it to the base of the stem. A month after planting, a full-fledged procedure is carried out, and then as needed.

• Fertilizer. During the growing season, leeks are fertilized at least 3 times, you can do this 4 times. The first time this is done about 20 days after planting the seedlings in a permanent place. Watering is carried out with a composition with potassium-type salt, nitrate and water. And also a solution of bird droppings, mullein, has a good effect on the leek of this variety. Before the hilling procedure, the plant is fed with wood ash.

• Harvesting. Onions are harvested before the start of frost, although their frost resistance is high. When the temperature drops to –3 degrees, you can collect. In time it is the second half of October, but it depends on the climatic zone. The onion is dug out with a pitchfork, it is important to leave the stem intact. After that, the crop is dried in the beds, the roots are reduced by a centimeter, if the foliage is long, it is also cut off by ⅓. Store onions in a basement or other cool place.

Despite the fact that the Bandit's immune system is very good, with improper care and adverse weather conditions, some problems can arise.

• Mosaic. The disease is a viral type, it most often poses a serious danger. Symptoms include a yellowish mottling on foliage, and carries aphid infection. Unfortunately, treating the mosaic is futile, so everything must be done to prevent the disease. To do this, it is necessary to follow the rules of agricultural technology, periodically carry out treatment with insecticidal compositions. Infected instances should be removed and destroyed immediately. It is important to carry out weeding on time and remove weeds.

• Fungal diseases. Among fungal diseases, rust, powdery mildew, and peronosporosis are often found. If any of these ailments hit the Bandit, the vegetable would become unusable. To get rid of the disease, treatments with copper oxychloride or fungicidal compounds are needed.

• Pests. The onion fly can lay eggs on the soil or foliage of leeks. The resulting larvae spoil the stem and leaves, so the plant rots. To get rid of flies, a composition of tobacco, liquid soap and hot water is prepared.