Growing Garlic from Bulbils

Everyone does it differently. Here we share some of the experimental work we have done. When it comes to learning about garlic, there is no end to it. The varieties here all germinated at different rates. Tibetan took about a month and needed a heating pad. I suspect the Himalayan Mountains still had snow on them until the Tibetan bulbils germinated. The varieties with huge bulbils were started first. Spring planting.

Phase 1 - Germination - Soaking bulbils between sheets of paper towels.

Setup                 

3 days of soak   

5 days of soak   

8 days of soak   

Variations in germination rate      

Montana Giant  - 24 days of soak

Phase 2 - Transferring to APS grow units ten days later, planting about a half inch deep

Depth example    

Extra light helps   

Closeup               

Two weeks after transfer  

Tibetan garlic in a Pot       

Phase 3 - Planting outdoors in a trenched row 3-5 weeks after setup

Ready to plant                    

One APS24 planted            

Finished with an APS40      

If you would like to share photos, information and/or results of your own research or would like us to post a link to your research or informational web page about garlic, use the Contact button. In the Subject area write Submittals. In the Message area tell us what you are interested in and a brief description of your information. If you have photos and want some page space here let us know. If it meets with our approval and furthers the learning about garlic we will send you an email address to upload photos and other information. There is no charge for this and you will retain any copyrights.

We are especially interested in true seed, bulbils and rounds, clinical trials of garlic and cancer research, garlic planting equipment both manual and powered, rare garlic plants and garlic growing in unusual places, but we are open to other ideas as well.