What kind of plant is garlic?
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a herbaceous perennial plant in the onion family, Amaryllidaceae. It is grown for its bulb, which is used as a spice and for medicinal purposes. It is classified as a monocot and is a member of the genus Allium, which also includes onions, leeks, and shallots.
What does the bulb of the onion categorize as?
The bulb of a garlic (Allium cepa) is categorized as a modified stem used for storage. It consists of a short stem (the basal plate) surrounded by fleshy, modified leaves that store nutrients. These nutrients support the plant during dormancy and provide energy for growth when conditions are favorable.
Is the bulb vegetative growth or reproductive growth?
The bulb of a garlic is part of the vegetative growth phase. It functions as a nutrient storage organ to support the plant as it enters the reproductive phase. When the plant transitions to the reproductive phase, it uses the stored nutrients in the bulb to produce a flower stalk (scape) and eventually seeds.
This is very important as we don’t need to overwhelm the plant with flowering or fruiting nutrients, we mostly need to focus on vegetative growth.
Summary Table of Stages and Timeline:
| Stage |
Duration (DAP) |
Focus |
| 1. Germination/Early Growth |
0–30 |
Root and leaf establishment, early vegetative growth. |
| 2. Leaf Development/Bulb Initiation |
30–60 |
Maximize leaf growth, prepare for bulb formation. |
| 3. Bulb Growth/Expansion |
60–90 |
Swelling and nutrient accumulation in the bulb. |
| 4. Maturation/Harvest |
90–120 |
Drying and preparation for harvest. |
Overview Nutrients needed by Garlic — only vegetative growth
- At stage 1: Mix of plant bio-available sources of carbohydrates, calcium, humic, seaweed, microbes to inoculate and grow soil biology, and phosphorus, seaweed, and macro, micro, and trace nutrients to improve photosynthesis.
- The purpose of this is to give the plant a balanced source of nutrients and to improve the soil biology.
- Stage 2-4: Ongoing we need to continue to provide nutrients to improve photosynthesis, nitrogen, calcium, microbial inputs to improve rhizosphere and phyllosphere, and continuously providing carbohydrates and fungal foods to help feed microbes.
- The purpose of this is to provide nutrients at the critical stages of plant growth.
Critical Points of Influence for Garlic:
- Clove Germination and Early Root Development: Ensuring adequate nutrient availability during this stage supports robust root establishment, which is vital for nutrient uptake and overall plant health.
- Vegetative Growth: During this phase, the plant focuses on leaf and shoot development. Proper nutrition here influences the plant's ability to photosynthesize effectively, impacting bulb size and quality.
- Bulb Initiation: This critical stage determines the potential size and number of cloves. Nutrient management at this point is crucial for setting the foundation for bulb development.
- Bulb Enlargement: As the plant allocates resources to the bulb, ensuring sufficient nutrients supports optimal bulb growth and final yield.
- Maturation and Harvest Preparation: Proper nutrient levels during maturation affect the bulb's storage quality and shelf life.
Stages we want to influence:
