Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Copra' Onions
 
Sub-Category: Storage/Cooking
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Hybrid. Medium-sized round bulb with thin neck and dark yellow, heavy, hard skin for long-term storage Vigorous tops. Disease resistant variety. Resistance to Fusarium wilt.
Days To Maturity: 104
Seed Sources: Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co. - updated in 2019

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (4.9 Stars)Overall
Taste: (4.8 Stars)Taste
Yield: (4.8 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (4.7 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 22

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Reviewed on 03/12/2021 by dakota31400 - An experienced gardener

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Nelson, North Dakota, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Very Short window to plant in North Dakota. (1 week) . Must use bare root plants. Marketable quality. Uniform in size (Medium to large). Strict Fertilizer applications. Bulbs continue to grow 10 days to 2 weeks after the leaves topple. Storage based on conditions while curing. Storage in netted bags, dark, 50+/- F. Range 6-12 months, average 8-10 months. No disease or pest problems. 60-80lbs. / 50 feet row. Yellow pungent, sweet when cooked.
 

Reviewed on 08/24/2015 by pea-picker - An intermediate gardener

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Belknap, New Hampshire, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Grew these in 2013 & 2014. Excellent yields from onion plants. We stored the 2014 harvest in a fridge at about 45 degrees and we still have nice firm onions to eat almost a year later. Out of about 350 stored we had only about 10% sprout in storage. Of course we used all the ones with fat necks in the first month. Very good taste, excellent storage. My supplier (in Texas) had problems this year, so no crop this year. But I will definitely grow again.
 

Reviewed on 01/10/2014 by Sahale - An experienced gardener

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Seneca, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I grow this for the excellent flavor, which is really rich and complex when cooked. It also stores great. The quality remains until they start to sprout (in early May), with no storage losses even on a cellar rack at about 60 degrees. They have been productive in most years. I buy transplants from Dixondale and set them as soon as the ground allows, usually in April.\r\n\r\nUpdate 2022: Copra is no longer available. Patterson was offered as a sucessor but has a bland flavor.
 

Reviewed on 12/26/2013 by Luther - An experienced gardener

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Moody, South Dakota, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Every year this variety produces beautiful rock hard single centered bulbs, all about baseball size or slightly larger. As for storage, it should be measured in atomic half life.
 

Reviewed on 08/15/2012 by Little Minnie - An experienced gardener

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Sherburne, Minnesota, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Best yellow storage onion. Not hard to get size out of. I grow all my onions through black plastic with drip lines under.
 

Reviewed on 06/20/2012 by gandle - An experienced gardener

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Dawson, Nebraska, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Our storage onion. Don\'t remember how many years I have grown it but since itbecame available. Cures down to very small neck, desirable for a keeper. Get a premium at farmers market by braiding 8 select ones and they sell quickly.
 

Reviewed on 10/27/2011 by GeorgeS - A novice gardener

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Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I started these from seed in Feb and transplanted into the garden in mid April...plants really \"took off\" and yielded 3+ inch bulbs by early August. Fairly mild but good taste...at the rate we are eating them I won\'t be able to tell how long they will keep. Have to plant much more next spring.
 

Reviewed on 01/05/2011 by ElyseG - An experienced gardener

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Lane, Oregon, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This has always been my most reliable onion. It stores extremely well. Medium sized, pungent, but good when cooked.
 

Reviewed on 02/22/2010 by catzei - An experienced gardener

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Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Excellent storage onion. Very hard skin, and a strong grower. I set out plants after starting Copra from seeds. Excellent germination.
 

Reviewed on 12/27/2009 by lewisn - An intermediate gardener

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Middlesex, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I started Copra from plants in early spring, and was rewarded with a very nice crop of medium size onions in spite of a very wet and cool season. Excellent for cooking and as an all-purpose onion.
 

Reviewed on 11/30/2009 by Luffa Zar - An experienced gardener

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Dane, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

i bought the transplants from mail order. The were worth the time and effort.
 

Reviewed on 11/25/2009 by Carl - An experienced gardener

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Sullivan, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I grow these from plants, and find that they are perfectly suited to my needs. They are great tasting and easy to grow. They are excellent keepers. I have all my gardening friends growing these.
 

Reviewed on 07/01/2008 by Cinsay - An experienced gardener

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Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

As grown from transplants in black muck soil they were wonderful - grew well with no bolting producing large yellow bulbs. Great flavor, pungent with high sugar content, and were great keepers. They dry out easily. They stored well until the following spring.
 

Reviewed on 08/03/2007 by D.W. - An experienced gardener

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Potter, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

We eat a lot of onions and this the only variety I grow. It is pungent, reliable, and our stored supply lasts well into the following spring.
 

Reviewed on 03/19/2007 by TJD57 - An experienced gardener

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Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Excellent onion! Very, very hard bulbs with yellow skin. Stores very well. Good flavor. Had no problems whatsoever with disease. Seems to compete with weeds better than other varieties.
 

Reviewed on 01/18/2007 by rolarase - An intermediate gardener

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St. Lawrence, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

My all-time favorite storage onion. Hard, crisp & juicy well into the spring after fall harvest.
 

Reviewed on 01/03/2007 by tdoty - An experienced gardener

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Clinton, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Very good storage onion. Good flavor. Stays firm even after months of proper storage.
 

Reviewed on 12/12/2006 by starwoodfarm - An experienced gardener

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Baker, Oregon, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

For me, the diameter never got bigger than 2.5 inches before it became time to pull them in Nov.
 

Reviewed on 12/02/2005 by Joachim - An experienced gardener

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Fairfield, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Americans love anything sweet and their choice of onion varieties reflects this. I personally hate large bland sweet onions like 'Walla Walla or Ailsa Craig. While Copra is highest in sugar it also packs a tremendous amount of pungent and complex aromas into each bulb which are unlocked when you simmer this truly outstanding variety in clarified butter. Serve it next to your favorite steak of lamb chop and enjoy. The flavor is too strong for a delicate lettuce but Copra adds character to a bold mixture of leafy greens.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 09/28/2005 by Lisa in Oregon - An intermediate gardener

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Oregon, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Great onion, strong flavor, not huge. Keeps very well.
 

Reviewed on 10/22/2004 by Kathy W. - An experienced gardener

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Tompkins, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

My #1 storage onion - stores well even in suboptimal conditions. Good, strong taste for cooking. Good germination even of 2-3 year old seed.
 

Reviewed on 09/13/2004 by Bob B - An experienced gardener

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Chemung, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I've grown Copra for 5 years now and have been very pleased with the onion. I tastes good and keeps very well. This year the stems are larger than normal, but I still expect them to store well.
 




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