30 August 2015 Garlic Bulbil collection

[Durgan]

http://www.durgan.org/2015/August%20...llection/HTML/ 30 August 2015 Garlic Bulbil collection
Three garlic plants were left in the ground to mature to produce bulbils. The bulbs lose their protective skin if left in the ground. It is still excellent garlic but has short shelf life. They would make excellent seed garlic due to their full growth size.The mature Bulbils were protected from dispersal by covering with a gauze. When the cluster dries the seeds fall in a short time if not contained. There is a large number of bulbils in each scape cluster.Some of the bulbils will be planted to produce rounds in 2016. The purpose is to eventually to grow all the garlic from bulbils instead of using cloves from the current crop.Sequence takes three years, bulbils, rounds, few cloves, then full normal harvest.

[meganp]

Hello Durgan, have you ever considered trying to grow true garlic seed? You'd need a couple of varieties that are know to produce true seed but since you're patient enough to grow out your bulbils, True seed shouldn't be a challenge for you. Avram Drucker sells several varieties capable of producing true seed http://www.garlicana.com/Seed_catalog_2015.pdf

[Starlight]

Nice haul of seeds you have going on there. : )

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by meganp

Hello Durgan, have you ever considered trying to grow true garlic seed? You'd need a couple of varieties that are know to produce true seed but since you're patient enough to grow out your bulbils, True seed shouldn't be a challenge for you. Avram Drucker sells several varieties capable of producing true seed http://www.garlicana.com/Seed_catalog_2015.pdf

I looked at it several years ago. There has been no significant breakthroughs. Actually the present system of propagation is more than adequate. I have been using my present garlic for seed for many years and it rates with the best which is compared at festivals I attend periodically. I only grow a bit of elephant and a white porcelain hard neck.