Soaking garlic

[earlybird 2]

Just read an article recommending soaking garlic in vinegar before planting to kill mites, is this general practice?

[earlybird 2]

[Jayb]

I've not heard of soaking garlic before planting, what type of mites are the problem? I can't say I've had a problem just interested to know.

[earlybird 2]

I've not heard of soaking garlic before planting, what type of mites are the problem? I can't say I've had a problem just interested to know.

The subject was on FAQ on garden web site, it just says to control fungus and mites.  Soak in vinegar/seaweed/baking powder,followed by a soak in alcohol. I've never heard of it before.

[Tee Gee]

I don't see the point!

As I see it; garlic cloves are removed from the 'husk' which is a potential spot for 'pests' to congregate.

But once the bulb is split and the husk discarded there should be no problem.

The only check I make at this stage is to give the clove a slight squeeze to ensure it has not gone soft, and if it hasn't then in it goes.

The other thing is; Vinegar is an acid and if I remember correctly garlic prefers an alkaline situation so if this is correct then it might do more harm than good.

But as always this is only an opinion!

[CDave]

I've not heard of soaking garlic before planting, what type of mites are the problem? I can't say I've had a problem just interested to know.

The subject was on FAQ on garden web site, it just says to control fungus and mites.  Soak in vinegar/seaweed/baking powder,followed by a soak in alcohol. I've never heard of it before.

Not come across anything like that before. I dont have access to seaweed, it all seems a bit of a faff and I dont have a problem with mites in my garlic - so not for me I'm afraid. Now then - if it worked for slugs........................... 

[goodlife]

Sounds more like recipe than planting instructions...

No..I haven't heard anything like it neither...and as for 'against mites'? Mystery to be solved...
Do you still have a link for that article you read?

Garlic is relatively trouble free crop and don't usually need any fancy 'treatments'...providing the ground is growable condition and free of onion white rot..you just need to 'plonk' the cloves in and with minimum care and attention you should end up with useable garlic bulbs...though with bit of 'pampering' the bulbs should grow bit larger size than they would if just 'left to grow'.

[earlybird 2]

Sounds more like recipe than planting instructions...

No..I haven't heard anything like it neither...and as for 'against mites'? Mystery to be solved...
Do you still have a link for that article you read?

Garlic is relatively trouble free crop and don't usually need any fancy 'treatments'...providing the ground is growable condition and free of onion white rot..you just need to 'plonk' the cloves in and with minimum care and attention you should end up with useable garlic bulbs...though with bit of 'pampering' the bulbs should grow bit larger size than they would if just 'left to grow'.

Look at wwwgardenweb and it's in FAQ.  Seeing it's worldwide it might be an american thing.

[goodlife]

Ok...I did have a look at the article and I did do some reading from my books too.. AND..yes, there is something called bulb mites that do affect garlic.
BUT..I do have to criticize that 'author' for the 'advise' with various treatment and 'concoctions'. Those are utterly unnecessary..as many of the fungal problems and mites are most often result of 'bad' gardening practises. I would say that if one feel that there is need for vinegar soak..there must be something wrong with the cloves already, in which case the quality of the cloves would never produce decent new growth for healthy bulb.
MOST garlic problems can be avoided with relatively easy cultural practises..
"-crop rotation
-inspecting planting stock and selecting only most healthy and vigorous bulbs excluding those with signs of infection or physical injury
-thoroughly curing and drying garlic after harvest
-avoiding excess nitrogen feeding (produces soft growth that is easy target for problems later on in storage)
-avoiding soils that are too dry or too wet (poorly draining)
-avoiding use of compost where there is been plant debris used from other alliums crops"

I would agree with TeeGee's opinion 'doing more harm than good'. All the years of that I've grown garlic only rust and one encounter with white rot has been 'problem' with my garlic crops. Just rotating beds each year and choosing just best cloves for the 'job' is most important jobs to get good harvest.
It was very good for you to enquire about the 'problems and cure' though...it got me to read of the 'pest and diseases' bit with garlic and I learned something new..mites..though the 'cultural remedies' was already in place anyway.

[earlybird 2]

                                                                                                     
@ goodlife, Thanks for your comments.  My garlic has been planted since October,I didn't intend to soak them, the article seemed like a recipe for disaster,  I'm glad you and others thought along the same lines.