Scapes cut vs no cut

Nematode · August 19, 2017

Garlic was grown in marginal conditions, entirely my fault/laziness.
In these marginal conditions, it was very clear the bulbs that had scapes cut reached near full size, while the uncut ones did not. Time is not the difference, all were grown till 3-5 brown leaves.
Fertile or ideal conditions may produce a different result.
So if you know you are not being good to your garlic, cut them.

brownrexx · August 19, 2017

I always cut the scapes off even though I don't use them. I feel that the plant should not waste energy making something that will not be used. To me it's like deadheading flowers on ornamentals.

Spike2 · August 21, 2017

I always want to leave one and see what happens . . . but I always end up eating them all.

velikipop · August 21, 2017

There is a trade off. Cutting the scapes will allow for larger bulbs, leaving them on will produce smaller bulbs that will keep longer.

Alex

Father'sDaughter · August 21, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by velikipop

There is a trade off. Cutting the scapes will allow for larger bulbs, leaving them on will produce smaller bulbs that will keep longer.

Alex

I thought so too, but apparently this isn't always the case.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=45823

August 19, 2017	#1
Nematode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: massachusetts Posts: 1,710	Scapes cut vs no cut Garlic was grown in marginal conditions, entirely my fault/laziness. In these marginal conditions, it was very clear the bulbs that had scapes cut reached near full size, while the uncut ones did not. Time is not the difference, all were grown till 3-5 brown leaves. Fertile or ideal conditions may produce a different result. So if you know you are not being good to your garlic, cut them.

August 21, 2017	#4
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	There is a trade off. Cutting the scapes will allow for larger bulbs, leaving them on will produce smaller bulbs that will keep longer. 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

August 19, 2017	#2
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	I always cut the scapes off even though I don't use them. I feel that the plant should not waste energy making something that will not be used. To me it's like deadheading flowers on ornamentals.

August 21, 2017	#3
Spike2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 992	I always want to leave one and see what happens . . . but I always end up eating them all.