Garlic bulbs splitting into individual cloves

**SMS6** · 19-06-2009, 12:07 PM

I thought Garlic was supposed to split into cloves? maybe theyre just ready for lifting?

**Skotch** · 19-06-2009, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by T-lady View Post

Hi folks

Has anyone got experience of garlic bulbs splitting into individual cloves? I'm growing 'Purple Wight' planted last november from sets. They are growing strongly (no rust this year, hurrah!) but instead of forming a nice tight bulb they're sort of falling open into individuals.

Any idea what I've done or if this is usual?

Thanks for any advice ...

I started a similar thread about a month ago. My garlic had formed nice bulbs and then the individual cloves started to sprout. General advice was to lift and dry out. Some of the newly formed cloves had started to 'split' away from the main bulb and was starting to sprout.

I have been drying mine out for the last 3 weeks and all the foliage has died back - the 'split' cloves appear to have suffered no adverse side effects

HTH

Skotch

**Paulottie** · 19-06-2009, 12:38 PM

The outer skin normally splits through irregular watering or at worst rots away with white rot.

**w33blegurl** · 19-06-2009, 01:01 PM

Just to jump onto this thread rather than start a new one....how long does it take for the garlic to dry out and where do you normally leave it? I have just lifted it and its currently out in the sunshine on a rack. Presumably it needs to come inside if it rains??

Help! Thanks

**FionaH** · 19-06-2009, 01:07 PM

Mine is on a rack in the greenhouse.

**zazen999** · 19-06-2009, 01:48 PM

Mine is on the path in the garden, resting on a raised bed.

Attached Files

june162009-39.jpg (0, 420 views)

**tootles** · 19-06-2009, 02:37 PM

Mine has the opposite problem - it hasn't split and I am left with giant single clove/bulbs.
Hmmmm

**SMS6** · 19-06-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by tootles View Post

Mine has the opposite problem - it hasn't split and I am left with giant single clove/bulbs.
Hmmmm

Have you lifted it? If not I'd be tempted to leave it a bit longer

**SarzWix** · 19-06-2009, 03:23 PM

Same as you Tootles, mine is looking like it's dying back, but the bulbs don't appear to have split

Can't think why because they have definitely had the required cold period

It is a variety I've never grown before (Purple Wight) - the usual one I grow (Cristo) has split but they're still small.
If the worst comes to the worst, the full bulbs will have to be chopped and frozen in portions to make it easier to use.

**fran** · 19-06-2009, 04:02 PM

They look fine to me! I had to dig mine up last week despite some not having formed cloves cos I needed the space and they had bad rust. Monty says you can save the un-split ones to plant next year.

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Garlic bulbs splitting into individual cloves

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