Elephant Garlic

[ipt8]

I just received some elephant garlic I ordered and see planting is advised in the autumn.
I understand the reason for this is it needs the winter cold for whatever reason.
MY question is - Could you kid it into action by putting it in the freezer for a few weeks  ??? I know some seeds are stratified in a similar way before being sewn so I think this may work  :-\

[ipt8]

[tonybloke]

a week in the bottom of the fridge will help the cloves to form. ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

It might, but artificial stratification isn't foolproof. If you try it, leave the garlic in the fridge for at least six weeks, in compost. I'd never get away with flowerpots in there!

[Hyacinth]

Cloves in the fridge for a few days is what I did bout this time one year. Didn't put them in compost tho :o Would go along with Tony's week.

[Vinlander]

If the cloves don't go multiple you end up with a single magnificent clove the size of a tennis ball...

This isn't really a problem as they are so mild! I'd just use the whole thing and omit the onions.

You only really need multiple cloves for next year's sowing - so as long as a few go multiple you will be OK.

Cheers.

[ipt8]

Sounds good I will give it a go. I have about half a dozen cloves so will keep some for the autumn and cool the others. Thanks

[chriscross1966]

I doubt they will keep. If you plant now and get the big bulbs, then replanting them for next year should get you monsters

chrisc

[Ian Pearson]

There's a good chance that the supplier stored them over winter in an unheated space. That might be enough.

[PurpleHeather]

Follow the instructions that is the correct way to grow it. Cheating by putting it in the fridge will simply force it to start with and then it will go dormant until the weather catches up.

Elephant garlic is just a milder form or normal garlic. There is a garlic clove and no matter what size it is, it will still have the same level of flavour. It is the same with almost all vegetables and fruit. The smaller, the more intense the flavour.

Larger garlic bulbs are much easier to prepare though.

Why not plant half now and half later. Then, with conviction and experience you can give us the result of  your experiment.

I am not going anywhere and will wait with interest.

[Robert_Brenchley]

They might keep. No promises, but last year mine was still going strong when I lifted the new crop, and composted the old. I haven't emptied the bins yet.