I planted some elephant garlic in tubs for the first time and most of them
have grown the way I expected. However one of them has thrown up a large
spike with what looks like a flower bulb on top.

My first question is should I nip it off or is it OK to leave it?

Secondly, I pulled one up and the central bulb had small bulbs around it.
Does this mean they are ready to harvest or could I leave it a bit longer?

Thanks.

--
Chris H,
He's predictable, but that's to be expected.
Please remove the numbers to reply

"Chris H" wrote:

I planted some elephant garlic in tubs for the first time and most of them
have grown the way I expected. However one of them has thrown up a large
spike with what looks like a flower bulb on top.

The spike will form "topset" bulbils, which will steal energy from the main
bulb. Best to cut it off.

Secondly, I pulled one up and the central bulb had small bulbs around it.
Does this mean they are ready to harvest or could I leave it a bit longer?

Wait until most of the top growth has turned brown. The small offset bulbs
can be planted, but they'll take an extra season to grow a full-sized bulb.

Personally, I've given up on Elephant Garlic. Not fully winter-hardy in my
Northeastern U.S. location without heavy mulch, and flavor more like leek
than garlic. But well-grown it sure makes big bulbs!


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

Gary Woods wrote:
"Chris H" wrote:

I planted some elephant garlic in tubs for the first time and most
of them have grown the way I expected. However one of them has
thrown up a large spike with what looks like a flower bulb on top.

The spike will form "topset" bulbils, which will steal energy from
the main bulb. Best to cut it off.

Thanks.

Secondly, I pulled one up and the central bulb had small bulbs
around it. Does this mean they are ready to harvest or could I leave
it a bit longer?

Wait until most of the top growth has turned brown. The small offset
bulbs can be planted, but they'll take an extra season to grow a
full-sized bulb.

Personally, I've given up on Elephant Garlic. Not fully winter-hardy
in my Northeastern U.S. location without heavy mulch, and flavor more
like leek than garlic. But well-grown it sure makes big bulbs!

Mines a bit like a fiery onion. I tried a bit raw and it nearly blew my head
off!

--
Chris H,
He's predictable, but that's to be expected.
Please remove the numbers to reply