Soft neck garlic

tjg911 · July 2, 2007

As we all know (or may not), soft neck garlic does not grow a scape or have a solid stem thru the bulb to the roots, those are characteristics of a hard neck. Hard neck scapes if allowed to grow will produce bulbils at the top set.
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One of the soft neck plants I pulled yesterday was odd, can anyone explain this? No scape ever grew but there were 6 bulbils about 6" above the top of the bulb. These are about 1/4 - 5/16" in diameter. The outer skin is reddish, I crushed them in a garlic press but they were mostly fibrous.
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I've read that soft neck will change to hard neck when grown up north but I thought that took a couple of seasons? The other soft neck plants do not have this. Any ideas?
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Tom

velikipop · July 3, 2007

Tom,

That is not unusual for softnecks. I had a few like that last year. Not sure what causes it but there are some varieties that like to grow the bulb above the ground. Apparently it is normal. I have not heard that soft neck will turn to hardneck...interesting though.

Alex

tjg911 · July 3, 2007

last night i noticed another soft neck plant has formed those red skinned bulbils. guess it is just something they do.

Miss_Mudcat · July 3, 2007

My 11-y-o son and I dug my bed of softneck garlic this morning. We found several (~50 or more) with the same characteristic as you've described. What we did notice was that they all grew in the crease of the neck after it had fallen over. My guess is that it is just another way of propagating itself once it starts to die back.

Lisa

Earl · July 3, 2007

I've read that when the plant is under stress it can happen.

July 2, 2007	#1
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	Soft neck garlic As we all know (or may not), soft neck garlic does not grow a scape or have a solid stem thru the bulb to the roots, those are characteristics of a hard neck. Hard neck scapes if allowed to grow will produce bulbils at the top set. . One of the soft neck plants I pulled yesterday was odd, can anyone explain this? No scape ever grew but there were 6 bulbils about 6" above the top of the bulb. These are about 1/4 - 5/16" in diameter. The outer skin is reddish, I crushed them in a garlic press but they were mostly fibrous. . I've read that soft neck will change to hard neck when grown up north but I thought that took a couple of seasons? The other soft neck plants do not have this. Any ideas? . Tom

July 3, 2007	#2
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	Tom, That is not unusual for softnecks. I had a few like that last year. Not sure what causes it but there are some varieties that like to grow the bulb above the ground. Apparently it is normal. I have not heard that soft neck will turn to hardneck...interesting though. Alex __________________ I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf Bob Dylan

July 3, 2007	#4
Miss_Mudcat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 366	My 11-y-o son and I dug my bed of softneck garlic this morning. We found several (~50 or more) with the same characteristic as you've described. What we did notice was that they all grew in the crease of the neck after it had fallen over. My guess is that it is just another way of propagating itself once it starts to die back. Lisa __________________ Farmers don't wear watches; they work until the job is done!

July 3, 2007	#5
Earl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,278	I've read that when the plant is under stress it can happen. __________________ "Seriously think about what you're about to do/say before you do it and the outcome will always be better." Earl