[arugula]

As I understand it, the theory behind bulb division in shallots is that a large shallot will create a greater number of divisions when planted resulting in smaller child shallots, while a small shallot will result in a fewer number of divisions giving larger child shallots. So plant the small ones and use the large ones, which are easier to handle, in the kitchen.

We're thinking of replanting some of our over winter garlic and my question is, does this same division rule apply to garlic too?

[Yorkie]

I tried to answer but all my brain is doing is 

Sorry 

[mumofstig]

I have always thought that you saved the biggest garlic for planting as seed, otherwise, in theory, you just breed more small bulbs 

This site says plant the biggest 
http://www.hoodrivergarlic.com/garlic-calendar.htm

[SUTTY1]

if this helps a few years back for 2/3 years running :blink:

I split my garlic bulbs and planted biggest cloves in the 1st row going down to smallest in the last row. Seemed i grew bigger bulbs from bigger cloves. I now dont bother planting little cloves.

not exactly a scientific trial but has swung me that with garlic bigger is better,lol

[Trillium]

I find the same thing - bigger garlic cloves give bigger bulbs, so now I don't bother planting any small ones.

[arugula]

Thanks for your replies guys. It sounds as though I'll have to persist with the fiddly ones in the kitchen then.

[DD.]

Time to put the cat among the pigeons:

This - and a lot like it - was grown from the small bulbs I had left over:

[arugula]

Maybe its worth trying a mixture of sizes then, but I bet your soil is in as good a condition as any, so that will no doubt help too.

[mumofstig]

Your bulbs may have been small, but were the planted cloves small as well........sometimes small bulbs are just because fewer cloves have formed, if you know what I mean?

Is it clove size that matters    

[stompy]

I personally don't think the clove size does make a difference.

I plant my garlic in early spring and get good sized bulbs and good sized cloves within those bulbs.

I think it's more to do with site, feeding and watering, if they are sited in a warm sunny area and watered well they all grow to a good size.

I top dress the area im growing them in with BFB 2 weeks bfore i plant them and then water them once a week.

Once the roots are in the ground the clove has done it's bit, it's used it's stored energy to get the plant going again the next year, it's upto the roots to supply the growth now and the clove you planted has gone.

[DD.]

Your bulbs may have been small, but were the planted cloves small as well........sometimes small bulbs are just because fewer cloves have formed, if you know what I mean?

Is it clove size that matters  

They were certainly a lot smaller than the ones they produced. Same number of cloves - just 4 or 5 to a  bulb, but still a lot bigger than supermarket ones.

Like stompy, I've been quite conscientious in preparing the bed and feeding - only used chicken manure pellets.

[arugula]

I personally don't think the clove size does make a difference.

That is perhaps just as well, because since posting this question I have decided to buy a reliable variety from a reputable supplier. Interesting chat though and wouldn't it be nice if garlic behaved reliably just like shallots apparently do?

[mumofstig]

 

[JayG]

Just to complete the confusion I've just dug up the supermarket garlic I planted in February (donated by the neighbours who were going away for 3 months.)

The bulbs are a similar size to the parent bulbs (i.e. smallish) but the individual cloves are considerably larger than the ones I planted (and therefore fewer of them per bulb but a much better size for preparing and cooking with.)

What does it all mean?   

[mumofstig]

What does it all mean?   

absolutely nothing...say it again y'all! (with Thanks to Edwin Starr)