How to Grow Garlic Sprouts (Blanched Garlic Shoots): Master These Key Techniques

Select some high-yielding garlic and soak it in a gibberellin solution for three to four hours, then take it out and arrange it neatly on the growing bed, cover it with 3-4cm of fine sand, and water it lightly to let it sprout. After the garlic shoots emerge from the soil, cover the growing bed with a curtain to block light, and water it every three to four days. Keep the room temperature at 25-28°C and the garlic sprouts will grow.

Field Management of Garlic Sprouts

1. Covering with curtains for shade

When most of the garlic shoots have emerged, cover the growing bed with reed curtains or straw mats to block light, or cover with black plastic film to block light, so as to soften the garlic leaves and ensure the quality of the garlic sprouts. If the curtains are put on too late or not tightly enough, the garlic shoots will be exposed to light, which will turn the leaves green and reduce quality. The curtains also help protect the temperature and humidity of the growing bed.

2. Temperature management

From sowing to emergence, use covering measures in the protected area to raise the temperature of the growing bed as much as possible. Keep it at 25-28°C during the day, and the night temperature should not be lower than 18-20°C. If conditions permit, it is even better for the night temperature to be slightly higher than the day temperature. After emergence until the shoots are 10 cm tall, to make the shoots thick and strong, the daytime temperature can be lowered to 20-25°C, with a night temperature of 16-18°C. When the shoots are 20-25 cm tall, the ventilation volume should also be increased. Keep it at 18-20°C during the day and 14-16°C at night to promote thick, high-yielding garlic shoots and improve quality.

3. Water management

In garlic sprout cultivation, the first watering should be sufficient and must submerge the garlic cloves. After that, water once every 2-4 days to keep the growing bed constantly moist. Water management should be determined according to the temperature inside the protected area and the stage of the seedlings. When the temperature is high, evaporation is large, and the seedlings are large, water frequently and with a larger amount; otherwise, water less. Water 2-3 days before harvest to keep the garlic shoots tender.

4. Ventilation management

In the garlic sprout growing bed, large amounts of carbon dioxide sometimes accumulate, or harmful gases such as carbon monoxide are released when the protected area is heated. At noon when the temperature is high, air should be released for ventilation. For the need to keep warm, generally there is no need to ventilate too much. In the 4-5 days before harvest, increase ventilation as much as possible, keeping it at 10-15°C during the day and 10-15°C at night, to prevent the seedlings from excessive growth and lodging.

5. Timely harvest

Garlic sprouts can be harvested when they are about 25-30 cm tall. The knife should be sharp when harvesting, and the cut should not be too deep; it is best to cut close to the ground, and do not cut and damage the garlic cloves. Do not water immediately after cutting, to prevent infection of the cut. Water after 3-4 days to promote the growth of the second crop. After about 20 days, the second cut can be harvested, and for the third cut, pull up the cloves together with the roots. For the first cut, each kilogram of garlic seed can produce 0.7-0.8 kg of garlic sprouts, and the second cut about 0.4-0.5 kg. After harvesting, the garlic sprouts should be tied into bundles and placed in the sun for a while, so that the garlic leaves change from yellow-white to golden yellow, which is called “sun-yellowing”. Do not sun them for too long, and pay attention to preventing freezing.

The above is the relevant introduction on how to grow garlic sprouts. I hope it is helpful to everyone.