By: Indonesian Shallots<\/strong> Shallots are one of the most essential cooking ingredients in Indonesia. Their volatile prices often strain household budgets. The solution? Grow them yourself in polybags! You don’t need a large garden\u2014even a few polybags on your terrace or apartment balcony can produce enough for your family’s kitchen needs. This article guides beginners through growing shallots in polybags with satisfying results.<\/p>\n Before starting, ensure all materials are ready. Thorough preparation determines cultivation success.<\/p>\n Required materials:<\/strong> Helper tools:<\/strong> Choose seedlings from superior varieties like Bima Brebes or Maja Cipanas. Quality seedlings are firm, not soft, and free from fungal disease signs.<\/p>\n Select quality shallots as planting stock. Ideal size is 15\u201325 grams per bulb. Soak seedlings in botanical fungicide solution (garlic extract or Trichoderma solution) for 15\u201330 minutes to prevent disease attacks. Drain and let rest for 1\u20132 hours before planting.<\/p>\n For better results, you can pre-sprout. Place seedlings on a tray layered with wet newspaper. Maintain humidity by spraying water 2\u20133 times daily. In 3\u20135 days, sprouts will emerge and are ready for transplanting.<\/p>\n Fill polybags with growing medium up to 3\/4 height. Create holes 2\u20133 cm deep using your finger or a skewer. Insert one shallot seedling per polybag with the sprout facing upward. Cover the hole with thin soil and gently compact. Water until water flows out from drainage holes at the polybag base.<\/p>\n Care is the key to obtaining large, healthy bulbs. Here are important considerations.<\/p>\n Shallots need consistent soil moisture, but not overly wet conditions. Water 1\u20132 times daily in the morning and afternoon during dry seasons. Reduce watering frequency during rainy seasons. Ensure polybags have good drainage holes so water doesn’t stagnate.<\/p>\n Week 1:<\/strong> Water with diluted liquid organic fertilizer (POC) at 1:10 concentration (1 part POC : 10 parts water) every 3 days. Weeks 2\u20136:<\/strong> Add low-nitrogen NPK fertilizer (N-P-K: 5-10-10) monthly to encourage bulb development. Sprinkle 5\u201310 grams of fertilizer around the plants, not directly on the stem.<\/p>\n Remove weeds or wild grass growing on the polybag surface weekly. Weeds compete for nutrients and become breeding grounds for pests.<\/p>\n Shallots grown in polybags are relatively more protected from soil pest attacks, but remain vulnerable to several issues.<\/p>\n Frequent pests:<\/strong> Diseases to watch for:<\/strong> Immediately isolate plants showing disease symptoms to prevent spread to healthy plants.<\/p>\n After 60\u201390 days from planting, shallots are ready for harvest. Signs of maturity:<\/p>\n Harvesting method:<\/strong> Properly dried shallot bulbs can last 1\u20133 months depending on variety. Store in open containers or woven mesh bags in a cool, dry place to maintain quality.<\/p>\n Growing shallots in polybags is a practical solution for urban communities seeking self-sufficiency in kitchen needs. With minimal investment, readily available materials, and relatively simple care, anyone can successfully harvest their own shallots. Start with a few polybags, learn plant characteristics, and gradually increase cultivation.<\/p>\n Need quality superior shallot seedlings to get started? Indonesian Shallots<\/strong> provides various superior varieties at direct-from-farmer prices. We serve both retail and bulk orders.<\/p>\n
\nTrusted shallot supplier since 1995<\/em><\/p>\n
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\n1. Preparing Materials and Tools<\/h2>\n
\n– Quality shallot seedlings (approximately 200\u2013300 grams for 5\u20138 polybags)
\n– Polybags with 25\u201330 cm diameter and at least 25 cm height
\n– Growing medium: mix of loose soil, compost, and rice husk (ratio 2:1:1)
\n– Organic fertilizer (mature chicken manure)
\n– Adequate water<\/p>\n
\n– Small shovel
\n– Water sprayer
\n– Fork or soil aerator for loosening soil
\n– Plate or saucer for placing polybags<\/p>\n
\n2. Planting Stages for Shallots in Polybags<\/h2>\n
a. Seedling Preparation<\/h3>\n
b. Pre-sprouting (Optional)<\/h3>\n
c. Planting<\/h3>\n
\n3. Plant Care<\/h2>\n
Watering<\/h3>\n
Fertilizing<\/h3>\n
Weeding<\/h3>\n
\n4. Common Pests and Diseases<\/h2>\n
\n– Armyworm<\/strong> (Spodoptera litura): Attacks young leaves. Spray with botanical insecticide or organic pesticide.
\n– Thrips<\/strong>: Sucks leaf fluids causing leaves to turn yellow and dry. Use yellow sticky traps or spray neem oil solution.
\n– Aphids<\/strong> (Aphis craccivora): Appears during hot weather. Spray with soapy water or garlic solution.<\/p>\n
\n– Bulb rot<\/strong> (Fusarium spp.): Indicated by yellowing leaves and softening bulbs. Prevention: Ensure good polybag drainage and avoid overwatering.
\n– Purple blotch<\/strong> (Alternaria porri): Purple spots appear on leaves. Spray with organic fungicide containing copper.<\/p>\n
\n5. Harvest and Post-Harvest<\/h2>\n
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\n1. Stop watering 3\u20135 days before harvest
\n2. Pull plants with roots from polybags
\n3. Gently clean soil from bulbs
\n4. Dry bulbs under harsh sunlight for 3\u20135 days (avoid direct rain)
\n5. Store in dry places with good air circulation<\/p>\n
\nImportant Information Table<\/h2>\n
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\n \nAspect<\/th>\n Detail<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Cultivation period<\/td>\n 60\u201390 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Number of polybags<\/td>\n 5\u20138 polybags for family consumption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Seedlings needed<\/td>\n 200\u2013300 grams<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Recommended varieties<\/td>\n Bima Brebes, Maja Cipanas, Rubaru<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Growing medium<\/td>\n Soil:compost:husk = 2:1:1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Main fertilizer<\/td>\n Organic POC + low nitrogen NPK<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nAdditional Tips for Beginners<\/h2>\n
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\nConclusion<\/h2>\n