No, green onions, also known as scallions or bunching onions, do not grow bulbs. They are harvested before they have the chance to develop into the rounded, mature bulb that characterizes traditional onions.
Understanding Green Onions and Bulb Formation
Green onions are essentially young onions that are harvested prematurely. According to gardening insights, "Scallions, also known as green onions or bunching onions, are young onions that have not formed bulbs." This means their growth cycle is intentionally interrupted before the bulb stage is reached. Instead of a large, round bulb, you typically consume their green stalks and a small, undeveloped white base.
Key Characteristics of Green Onions (Scallions)
When cultivating or understanding green onions, several characteristics differentiate them from their bulb-forming counterparts:
- Immature Stage: They are harvested as young plants, long before a significant bulb can develop.
- No Bulb Formation: Their primary distinguishing feature is the absence of a large, storage bulb.
- Close Planting: Due to their non-bulbing nature, "You can sow them much closer together — as little as an inch apart," which is much denser than traditional bulb onions.
- Ideal Varieties: While most onion varieties can technically be harvested young as green onions, "it's best to choose those that are especially suited to growing as scallions. Ideally they should be mild and sweet." These varieties are specifically cultivated for their tender greens and gentle flavor.
Green Onions vs. Bulb Onions
The fundamental difference lies in their purpose and harvesting time. While both originate from the same Allium genus, green onions are cultivated for their tender leaves and small, straight white bases, which are used fresh in cooking for their mild flavor. Bulb onions, on the other hand, are allowed to mature fully in the ground, concentrating their sugars and developing a large, papery-skinned bulb that can be stored for extended periods.
Essentially, green onions are a stage of growth, not a separate species of onion that inherently forms a different kind of bulb. They are simply harvested at an earlier stage of development.
