Elephant garlic help

[Marb67]

I have just bought some elephant garlic to plant but the beds outside are far from ready. I know I have to have them planted by the end of this month. Can I grow them in pots in stead in compost ?

[veggiechicken]

I always start mine in pots, just to get them going, and plant them out later. You could grow them in large pots too - with feeding and watering as they grow

[roitelet]

You could start them in pots and then plant them out when the beds are ready. Don't forget to harden them off first.

[Marb67]

Any multi purpose compost ?

[Scarlet]

Yes, I'd just use what you've got..best to get them started asap.

[Marb67]

Ok thanks.

[Marb67]

Ok, i have 3 large elephant garlic bulbs. I know you are supposed to break tem up into smaller bulbs but after pealing the skin off one i cannot find any way of splitting tem. Are they supposed to be planted as they are ?

[Veggiemama]

Marb, they are just one big bulb. Just plant it how it is, thats what i did with mine in October.

[Marb67]

Ok thanks. I just hope I haven't ruined one of them by taking skin off.

[Scarlet]

Marb, did you buy bulbs or cloves? They are generally sold by the clove - which is what you most probably have ...unless you were given them.
See the link below, I've posted a few photos of an elephant garlic bulb (very round, at least 3inches wide) and the resulting cloves when split.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...lic_82253.html

[Veggiemama]

No, Marb, it should be fine. I too peeled some of the skin off when i got mine, searching for the cloves :-)
On realising my mistake, i just planted it and it seems to be growing fine (i planted mine in October)

Good luck with yours

[Scarlet]

Ok thanks. I just hope I haven't ruined one of them by taking skin off.

No, don't worry just plant it.

[Lamboluke]

I planted mine autumn time last year. About 1.25ft tall now. Harvest June time when the leaves yellow right? I'm.guessing I'll get the tall shoot like stem as it warms up.

[dammad49]

Marb, what you are describing is a "round", for various reasons some elephant planting cloves produce a single round clove like a solid onion. They are in demand by show people because when they are replanted the following season they produce enormous bulbs, I have had rounds over 200gms and the results have been spectacular. One thing which can cause rounds is late planting and the ideal planting time for elephant is late October. In the attached pic of part of last year's crop the rounds are nearest camera.
But plant and enjoy!

[Marb67]

Ok,so they are now showing roots slightly coming through the bottom of the small pots they are it. They are alive at least but nothing happening from the top. Should I do anything ?