In garlic cultivation, certain management methods can effectively promote the enlargement of the underground bulbs (garlic heads). Larger garlic heads are of higher grade and fetch higher prices, making them key to improving cultivation efficiency. So how can garlic bulbs be enlarged? Let's find out below.
1. Field selection
Garlic thrives in fertile, loose, well-aerated soil with good water and fertilizer retention, convenient irrigation and drainage, and neutral or slightly acidic soil. It should not be planted in the same field as other onion or garlic-type vegetables .
2. Variety selection
To grow garlic with large cloves, you must first choose a large-clove garlic variety. Garlic is usually divided into large-clove and small-clove varieties based on clove size. Large-clove garlic generally has 4-8 bulbils, and representative varieties include Lanling garlic and Acheng garlic.
3. Watering tips
Watering should be done frequently with small amounts of water, avoiding flooding; keep the soil moist. In case of prolonged periods of rain, promptly clear drainage ditches and drain waterlogged fields to prevent seed rot.
4. Protect the blades
After the garlic bulb bolting stage, some leaves may turn yellow. This is because nutrients are primarily supplied to the bulb's expansion, leaving insufficient nutrients for the leaves to absorb. If left untreated, this will impair photosynthesis, reducing nutrient production and consequently decreasing the quality and yield of the garlic bulbs. It is generally recommended to spray the leaves with a potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to ensure adequate nutrient supply.
5. Apply fertilizer appropriately
During the later stages of garlic growth, it is important to apply fertilizers for garlic shoot growth and bulb development, as well as foliar fertilizers such as Kunlunfeng fertilizer , to meet the nutrient requirements for garlic shoot and bulb enlargement.
6. Harvest the flower stalks in a timely manner.
Harvesting too early results in low yield; harvesting too late causes the plant to consume a large amount of nutrients, affecting the development of the underground garlic bulbs. Therefore, the best time to harvest garlic scapes is about 40-45 days after they begin to differentiate, generally when the upper part of the scape begins to bend.
