Garlic bulbs planted NOT cloves.

[cheops]

Hi All,
A while back after planting lots of garlic I had some garlic bulbs left over so I gave them to a close neighbour to plant. Mine are now all showing 3 to 4 inches of green stems as they grow so I popped round to see how those planted by my neighbour were getting on. I was puzzled and surprised to see her green shoots showing were multiple and close together. Then I realised she had not divided the bulbs into separate cloves but had unwittingly planted each complete bulb in the earth, thinking that is what one should do. Anyone know what is gonna happen? I guess if nobody knows I'm gonna find out at harvest time. Not a planned experiment at all lol.

[Alison]

I'd dig them up and replant separately as there won't be enough room for them to develop properly otherwise. Never done it though so don't know if you'll end up damaging the root system at all.

[Aberdeenplotter]

if left to self propogate, that's how they would grow naturally so I guess they will produce something. Be interesting to leave one to see what happens but I would also be for lifting, dividing and replanting.

[cheops]

Thx, Aberdeen and Alison. I did say to myself that's how they must grow naturally so I expect each clove will fight for space but all will lose out and each will only produce small bulbs at best. But that's a guess. And of course small bulbs are still edible. Maybe someone will come along with the correct knowledge. Ultimately it is her decision what to do but I will pass on all advice. I'd be a bit reluctant to disturb the growing root system but if someone says it's that or nothing will come of the bulbs then so be it. The good thing is I only gave her 5 bulbs and have planted so much myself she will not be without garlic come summer/autumn.

[kathycam]

An allotment friend gave me a bulb of elephant garlic from a show. They told her to plant the bulbs whole and not seperate. They also told her to plant straight away. So I did that. About a week later she came running up to me and said the advice was wrong. She ate hers, but I decided to leave mine in the ground anyway. Seems to be growing fine. I guess the bulbs will just be smaller, which is a shame for elephant garlic, but there you go. I'd leave it as is, as shallots manage to grow like that and potatoe onions, but as you say will probably just be smaller in size.

[alldigging]

To comment or not to comment ... that is the dilemma. If you do then they may not welcome the comments or advice, and if you do and they change something and it kills the plant then you're in trouble for opening your mouth.

[lottie dolly]

Personally i would do as AB says,just leave the 1 as an experiment,after all,my theary is,they are of the alium family,and onion sets can be started of early under cover neck to neck in a seed tray,for the purpose of growing the roots on before transplanting outside in a few weeks time,all you do is gently tease the roots out separatly,then plant as they would have been had the the sets would,but with the garlic it needs to be planted back at the same depth as you got it now,if you dig 1 up first,with plenty of soil,and see how you go on separating it first,that will give you a much better idea,the worst that can happen is,they should grow more roots,it will only set them back a short time,always worth an experiment,
the difference between shallots and garlic is,1 spreads on the top surface,the other underground so therefore has the restriction of the earth around it,

[rabbit]

I had some giant alium I planted like that, maybe I should separate those too?

[Nicos]

I'd have thought the roots would be hardy enough to dig up, split and then replant.

We often see pencil sized leeks sold here bare rooted in bunches of 50-100 and they can be like that all day on a market stall. Quick soak and then plant out.Much hardier than I'd ever thought!

So- garlic is the same family- If the cloves are carefully prized apart and the roots gently shaken, I'm sure they'd be absolutely fine if planted again immediately.

[Aberdeenplotter]

My thoughts as well Nicos but I would be interested to see what happens with a whole garlic bulb.

[Nicos]

I would be interested to see what happens with a whole garlic bulb.

...me too!

I would expect lots of small cloves.

Although.....
A couple of years ago some of my cloves - planted 6" apart- had swellings part way up the stem- and they contained tiny cloves.
The new cloves at the base were smaller than usual.
Perhaps that may happen to these?

...just checked- garlic bulbils just like this...

[veggiechicken]

Might it flower?

[lottie dolly]

Might it flower?

another experiment for you VC

[veggiechicken]

All my garlic is planted now Lottie, as cloves!! It would probably depend on the type of garlic - hard or soft neck too.

[out in the cold]

...me too!

I would expect lots of small cloves.

Although.....
A couple of years ago some of my cloves - planted 6" apart- had swellings part way up the stem- and they contained tiny cloves.
The new cloves at the base were smaller than usual.
Perhaps that may happen to these?

...just checked- garlic bulbils just like this...

They look a bit like our Egyptian Walking Onions Nicos