Onion Trials for Western WA

If you came to our Growers Invite field tour, you got to see our extensive onion trial in Skagit County. We trialed every Copra and Redwing replacement we thought likely, and had some very positive results. Copra is discontinued, and Redwing (and Red Bull) are not going to be available from Osborne Seed Co. Luckily, we found some really good replacements, and improved varieties.

For Copra, we found three substitutes that we are confident will store, and are similar shape and size. They had a much quicker dry down period, which is a huge improvement! We were happy to find three that worked well because small amounts of onion seed can be difficult to procure, so we will always have options.

Frontier F1 95-100 days

This early hybrid long-day onion has flattened-globe bulbs and is suitable for very long term storage. The skins are tight and smooth with a dark golden color and necks are small. Was the star of our Westside trials this year, a great choice to replace the discontinued Copra. Flattened globe, large – jumbo, DM, FBR, BSR disease resistance.

Trailblazer F1

Trailblazer has tight, firm, slightly flattened globe-shaped bulbs with thin necks. A reliable long-day storage type with dark skin and a nice gloss. This variety will store until June under optimal conditions. Slightly flattened globe, medium to large, resistant to Botrytis, Bolting



Trekker F1 95-100 days

This Trailblazer type is quick to go down, an early long day onion with a globe shape, dark skin and a nice shine. Trekker is an extra-firm long storage type, and will store until May with optimum conditions. Globe, medium to large, resistant to FBR, Neck rot.


Redwing was very susceptible to Downy Mildew this year, and the varieties that we liked better were much more tolerant. We suggest growing Red Emperor or Cabernet for early winter sales, and Red River or Ruby Ring for your long storage.

Red Emperor F1 ORGANIC SEED!

Red Emperor was the first red in our intermediate trials with 100% tops down. It has dark to very dark red scales. You can harvest this onion early and store it until Christmas. Red Emperor has a small, tight neck, a vigorous root system, and strong, upright plant habit. It has an attractive internal ring color with a good percentage of single centers. Slightly flattened globe, medium to large, dark red.

Red River F1 105 days

Red River is highly adaptable intermediate onion. This variety boasts a strong root system and a nice dark red color. High yield potential of firm, jumbo, globe-shaped bulbs that have good storage potential. Globe, small-large jumbo, dark red, resistant to PR, F, Bolting.

Cabernet F1 100-110 days

This intermediate storage onion was the star of our Westside trials, independently drying down from both 2/22 and 3/16 plant dates. Cabernet has intense red external color and internal ring development with a high percentage of single centers. We recommend this variety for early winter storage, to be paired with a longer keeper for continued sales. Globe, medium to large

Ruby Ring F1 111 days

This long-day storage type red onion has hard, tall globe shape, firm bulbs with an exceptional high percentage of single centers. Ruby has great uniformity, and did well in our west side trials, showing less susceptibility to downy mildew and better dry-down then Redwing. Tall globe, medium to large.