Content
Elephant variety garlic is a type of Rocambole onion, which has an elegant taste and is successfully used by chefs in preparing various dishes. White elephant is an unpretentious plant with high yields, for which vegetable growers appreciate it.
History of variety selection
Rocambole was bred in the 19th century in the Balkans, from where the culture was brought to America in the 40s of the same century. Three varieties of garlic were bred from Rocambole, one of which is the White Elephant (Elephant) variety, which is a merit of the work of Belarusian breeders. Today, the White Elephant can grow in Asia, the North Caucasus, southern Europe and Crimea.
Description of the variety
White elephant is a non-shooting winter garlic that is a type of leek.
The main distinctive features of the variety:
- bulb head weight – about 150 g;
- the color is white, the teeth on the cut are milky white;
- the plant does not form arrows;
- has high immunity to fusarium;
- not afraid of low temperatures;
- forms up to 8 cloves;
- has a semi-sharp garlic taste;
- the stem grows up to 1 m.
Characteristics
Despite the fact that the plant is not included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation, White Elephant garlic is very popular among the people and even has several different names:
- snake onion;
- Lebanese, German, Egyptian, Spanish garlic;
- horse or elephant garlic;
- onion garlic
The leaves and bulbs of the White Elephant have many vitamins, most of which are vitamins A and C, as well as useful substances:
- iron;
- proteins;
- fungicides;
- carotene;
- antioxidant allicin;
- essential oil;
- carbohydrates.
White elephant garlic helps the body cope with certain diseases, having a positive effect on the immune system. In particular, garlic is capable of:
- eliminate pathologies caused by fungi and viruses;
- normalize blood flow in blood vessels;
- strengthen the heart;
- improve digestion;
- eliminate skin diseases;
- strengthen hair and improve its growth;
- relieve inflammation from the oral mucosa.
Productivity
Winter garlic White Elephant has high yield rates. With proper care and cultivation, 1 sq. m of soil accounts for up to 3 kg of garlic, given that the weight of one head can reach 200 g.
A representative of this crop belongs to varieties of medium ripeness, the total growing season is 110 - 120 days.
The yield of the White Elephant variety depends on several factors:
- Air temperature: the warmer the season, the larger the heads will grow;
- Humidity: garlic loves moisture, so normal development of the plant is possible only with sufficient watering;
- Climatic conditions: in Asia it is possible to grow garlic on an industrial scale, since the climate and soil composition are considered ideal for the White Elephant. If the variety is grown in Siberia, the crop yield is slightly reduced, and the growing season is extended by 10 - 15 days;
- Soil quality: sandy or loamy soil is suitable for the White Elephant variety.
Sustainability
The white elephant, unlike Rocambole, is not afraid of frost. Therefore, it can be planted from mid-September to mid-October (depending on the planting region), and in winter the plants should be covered with a layer of mulch. In the northern regions, where frosts are more severe, it is recommended to insulate the planting with spruce branches or a large layer of sawdust.
The White Elephant variety has good immunity to various diseases, including the most dangerous of them - fusarium, which affects the bulbs. Dark spots form on them, which look like rot. Fusarium blight affects many types of garlic, so it is important to remember that planting White Elephant in soil where infected garlic grew is unacceptable.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each plant has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages that the White Elephant has include:
- unpretentiousness (climatic conditions, soil);
- high productivity;
- interesting taste - a mixture of garlic and onion;
- the presence of many useful microelements and vitamins;
- Possibility of fresh consumption;
- beneficial effect on the body's condition.
The only disadvantage that can be highlighted is that White Elephant garlic, under unfavorable growth conditions, can grow a head with cloves only after 3 - 4 years.
It is also worth noting that White Elephant, although not a typical representative of garlic, has some features associated with its use:
- the ability to cause an allergic reaction;
- if used uncontrolled, negatively affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract;
- contraindications for use by people suffering from peptic ulcers and gastritis;
- with frequent use fresh, the ability to reduce visual acuity;
- provoke the manifestation of headaches and the development of migraines;
- may pose risks when consumed by women expecting a child or nursing mothers, as well as persons with gallbladder and kidney pathologies.
Planting and care
The Elephant variety of garlic, the photo of which is impressive in its size, can be planted even by a novice gardener.
Landing rules:
- First you need to prepare a bed, which is located from south to north. 3 weeks before planting, loosen the soil, add compost or humus (1 bucket per 1 sq. m) and 500 g of ash.
- The garlic is peeled, the largest cloves are selected and soaked overnight in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure is carried out the day before planting.
- If planting is scheduled for autumn, then this must be done no later than mid-October. In spring, garlic is planted in mid-April - early May.
- The beds are formed at a certain interval - at least 30 cm.
- Garlic cloves are planted every 20 cm, planting seedlings to a depth of no more than 10 cm.
- In the fall, it is necessary to immediately mulch, covering the seedlings with a small layer of sawdust or peat.
In order for garlic to reach its optimal size, it must be properly cared for.
- Loosening the soil should be done regularly, especially after prolonged rains. This way you can avoid the formation of crust on the soil.
- Weeding is carried out as it grows weed, which take away beneficial microelements from the plant.
- Watering is an important part of crop care. The White Elephant variety loves moisture, so the plant needs regular watering. Particular attention should be paid to this point during the formation of heads and the formation of young shoots. It is better to take settled, warm water to reduce the risk of developing fungal diseases.
- Fertilizing should be carried out 3 times - 15 days after the appearance of the first shoots, and then once a month. For the first feeding, fertilizers containing nitrogen (urea solution or ammonium nitrate) are best suited. Subsequent feeding is carried out with a solution of bird droppings or mullein, as well as nitroammophosphate.
Diseases and pests
The White Elephant garlic variety is disease resistant. But some pathologies can manifest themselves if the crop is not properly cared for:
- Downy mildew - powdery mildew that covers the above-ground parts of the plant. After being affected by the disease, garlic does not die, but its heads become infected, which prevents it from developing normally. In this regard, it is impossible to use infected garlic as planting material.
- Yellow dwarfism – develops when the plant is propagated for a long time by cloves. At the same time, the bulbs grow poorly and turn yellow.
- Onion fly, tobacco thrips and nematode - are also dangerous pests that can destroy a plant at its development stage.To prevent insects from attacking garlic, it is important to follow the rules of watering, loosen the soil in a timely manner and prevent stagnation of moisture in the beds.
Conclusion
Elephant garlic is an exotic type of onion, which is loved by the inhabitants of the country for its taste, ease of care and high yield. In addition, the culture is distinguished by a large number of useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body.
