Onions, Green Bunch: Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest
Quality Produce Facts in English > Onions, Green Bunch Trevor V.
Suslow and Marita Cantwell Department of Plant Sciences,
University of California, Davis MATURITY & QUALITY Maturity of
green onions is determined primarily by size which is largely
determined by seeding density. Green or "bunching" onions are
selected varieties of white onion (Allium cepa) planted at high
density or from the non-bulbing onion group (Allium fistulosum)
generally called Japanese-bunching. Harvest maturity is
generally accepted as mean diameter of 0.6 to 1.3 cm (1/4 to 1/2
inch) in diameter at the base plate of the immature bulb.
Quality green onions have a thin, white shank or neck at least 5
to 7.5 cm (2-3 inches) in length. Green onions should be well-
formed (at most slightly curved or angular), uniform in shape,
thin-necked, turgid, bright in color, well cleaned, and free
from excessive roots, decay, insect-injury, mechanical damage,
broken or crushed leaves, or