whistech
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Posts: 300
Joined: April 2013
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Post by whistech on Apr 27, 2013 20:35:21 GMT -5
I planted garlic on early October of 2012. It was the first thing I planted in my newly constructed raised beds. At the same time, I also planted elephant garlic. I don't remember the variety of garlic I planted, but it was supposed to be for southern areas of the country. I do remember getting three different varieties. Most of the garlic came up within about 3 weeks and seems to have been growing since. I dug up one garlic plant this morning hoping to find a clove of garlic, but what I found was one bulb about 3/4 inches in diameter. It smelled like garlic, but I'm extremely disappointed the garlic is not making cloves. I also dig up one elephant garlic because the plant looked like it was dieing from the bottom up. This too was a big disappointment. The elephant garlic looked like a leek about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and had tiny cloves growing on the outside of the main bulb. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, and could sure use some advice.
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Post by izitmidnight on Apr 27, 2013 20:51:44 GMT -5
It's a little early to be pulling garlic. It's not ready to pull until all but 3 or 4 leaves have died. If I were to pull up a garlic right now, it would look just like what you descibed. I usually pull mine in June.
Hopefully, someone more experienced with garlic growing will give you a better answer!
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materman
Pro Member
Posts: 216
Zone:: 6b
Joined: April 2013
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Post by materman on Apr 27, 2013 21:09:59 GMT -5
Yes I don't know where you live but here in zone 6b, I usually pull around middle of June as well. As mentioned, when you start to see the plants going down hill, it is time to dig. right now is the time too be putting the fast release nitrogen to them for vigorous plant development and larger bulb size at harvest. Good luck and keep us posted.
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Post by gixxerific on Apr 28, 2013 8:12:48 GMT -5
Yes it is way to early to be pulling garlic. They really haven't even begun to bulb yet.
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Post by paquebot on Apr 30, 2013 23:27:52 GMT -5
Don't care where one lives in North America, no garlic is mature until at least mid-June. Even then it would only be select early varieties. The time to harvest is when the bottom 4 or 5 leaves have yellowed and died.
Martin
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whistech
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Posts: 300
Joined: April 2013
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Post by whistech on May 1, 2013 20:33:47 GMT -5
I want to thank everyone for their help. I will leave the garlic in the ground until the end of June or when the tops start dieing.
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Post by kctomato on May 1, 2013 22:21:16 GMT -5
It's normal for elephant garlic to make those little offset bulbils.
If you separate them and replant they will generally take about 2 more seasons to get large like the mother bulb.
Do you have good drainage? Some garlic varieties have trouble in the south with rot.
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whistech
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Posts: 300
Joined: April 2013
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Post by whistech on May 3, 2013 16:09:50 GMT -5
Kctomato, yes I have very good drainage. I am growing in 12 inch tall raised beds. Thank you for your reply.
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