Elephant Garlic has a Flower Bulb?

[Helgalush]

My elephant garlic has sprouted a flower bulb at the top of its stem...is this bolting, and what should I do? Cut it off and then harvest the garlic? Will it still be alright or has it had it?

Thanks in advance.

[Matt94]

yes your garlic has bolted - but dont worry its common for it to happen - the flower stalk they produce are called scapes/scrapes, they need to be nipped off (but they can be used in recipes - have a google!)

It is the time of the year when garlic is usually pulled, but this ones been very odd - so you can leave them in for a while longer if you wish. People also pull garlic when they have rust, as rust stops the growth of the garlic.

Oh and they should be fine to store, so long as you dry them properly!

[rustylady]

Found this for you Helga

Elephant garlic will put out a flower stem (or ‘scape’) in May and these should be snapped off as soon as they’re recognized – and then turned in to pesto! Regular garlic is much less likely to flower, but if it does, give it the same treatment. Flower development takes a lot of energy, and you want it all to go into the bulbs. from this site Garlic and Elephant Garlic | Farm In My Pocket | Farm In My Pocket

[Helgalush]

Thank you kindly both of you.

Alas, I had already snipped off the flower stem and discarded it, after I thought about it, I decided it can't be any good to leave it on.

The stem looks quite thick so I may pull it up when its dry outside next. I pulled up an ordinary garlic today and it was a bit tiddly but the stem was quite thin compared to some of the others.

My first ever garlic so now I need to google how to dry them properly. Thanks again.

[binley100]

We just lie them on the racks in the blowaway to dry along with shallots and onions.

[Helgalush]

We just lie them on the racks in the blowaway to dry along with shallots and onions.

That's a good idea, thanks!

[binley100]

Leave it unzipped so the air can circulate tho'.

[Helgalush]

Leave it unzipped so the air can circulate tho'.

Will do, its unzipped 99% of the time anyway unless there are strong winds.

[Kaiya]

Good to hear as that's what I've resorted to this year (blowaway drying)! Drying in the house resulted in soggy aliums.