Crop type: Onions
Allium cepa ‘Rumba’ PBR
Common name: Onion ‘Rumba’
Crop slug: onions
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Rumba’ is a British-bred AGM onion with improved vigour, shape and storage compared with ‘Sturon’. It produces well-sized, round bulbs with yellow-brown skins during summer and can be harvested from August. The reliable uniform bulbs suit both immediate kitchen use and longer storage.
Grow from spring sets in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Consistent early growth builds the leaves needed for good bulb development.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- one year
The RHS profile specifies 10cm between bulbs and 30cm between rows. This gives the vigorous plants room to form well-sized round bulbs.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, clay, loam or sand
- Moisture
- Well drained
- Preferred pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Enrich soil with mature compost before planting. Water during prolonged dry spells while foliage develops, but stop after bulbs swell so they ripen and store well.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H3
An open sunny position supports the cultivar's vigour and allows foliage and skins to dry thoroughly. Cover new sets against birds until rooted.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Green upright leaves feed round, yellow-brown bulbs through spring and summer. The skins become papery as harvest approaches from August. Remove flower stalks early to protect bulb quality.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Allium species are onion- or garlic-scented bulbous herbs with linear, strap-shaped or cylindrical leaves and umbel-borne star- or bell-shaped flowers.
Safety
The bulb is edible. Cure only sound unbruised bulbs for storage and use damaged ones promptly.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun and shelter. Plant sets in spring about 10cm apart with 30cm between rows, setting each roughly 2cm deep with the tip visible. Keep weed-free and water during extended dry weather.
Stop watering as bulbs mature. Harvest from August once foliage yellows and topples naturally. Dry bulbs for about two weeks with air circulating around them, then store in a light, cool, dry and ventilated place.
Propagation
Propagate by spring-planted sets.
Suggested locations
- Vegetable plot
- Raised bed
- Allotment row
- Large container
- Sheltered edible border
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove any premature flower stalk.
Pests
May be susceptible to onion fly. Birds may pull out newly planted sets; use fleece or netting temporarily.
Diseases
May be susceptible to onion white rot and leek rust. Rotation, drainage, airflow and clean planting material reduce risk.