How to manage garlic during the bolting stage? A detailed explanation of the latest management points

When garlic bolts, its vegetative growth is rapid, all the leaves have grown out, the garlic scapes begin to grow, and the bulbs below also begin to develop slowly. This is also the key period for increasing garlic yield, so management at this time is extremely important. So how should garlic be managed during bolting? Below, let's take a look with the editor at the management points for the garlic bolting stage.

1. Reasonable watering

When garlic enters the bolting stage, the flower buds and bulbs begin to differentiate rapidly. At this time, the leaves reach their maximum size, and the root system also expands to its maximum range, making this the period of greatest water demand for garlic. To avoid affecting plant growth due to water shortage, which can cause uneven growth of the garlic scapes, timely irrigation is necessary. Generally, after the scape tips emerge, watering should be continuous, once every 5-7 days, which can promote seedling growth, until watering is stopped 2-3 days before harvesting the scapes.

2. Apply heavy phosphorus and potassium fertilizer

After entering the bolting stage, the root system begins to extend, old roots age and decline, and a large number of new roots emerge. At the same time, the stems and leaves and garlic scapes begin to elongate, and the garlic scapes begin to swell slowly. At this time, in order to speed up the swelling of the garlic bulbs and increase yield, heavy phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can promote scape elongation and garlic clove swelling. It is recommended to apply a highly efficient quick-acting soluble phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which can improve yield and quality.

3. Weeding

When garlic bolts, the weather is turning warmer, and the temperature at this time is favorable for weed growth. Too many weeds will compete with garlic for nutrients, water, and light, causing garlic to lack nutrients and affecting yield and quality. Therefore, weeding should be done well during the bolting stage. It is recommended to pull weeds by hand, or use a small hoe to shallowly hoe between the rows to remove weeds. This can not only remove weeds but also increase soil permeability, which is beneficial to root growth. Note that herbicides should not be used for weeding, to avoid the chemicals drifting onto the stems and leaves and causing them to dry up and die.

4. Pest and disease control

During the garlic bolting stage, pests and diseases occur rather seriously. Among the diseases, the main one is leaf spot disease. When it occurs, round lesions appear on the leaves, and in severe cases the leaves wither and die, the base rots, and the plants lodge. When the disease occurs, a water-diluted solution of carbendazim and aluminum phosphide plus octylamine can be sprayed for control. The pests include root maggots, thrips, and aphids. They mainly feed on garlic bulbs, causing bulb rot and damaging the root system. They can be controlled by spraying insecticides or by drenching the holes.

The above is an introduction to the management points for the garlic bolting stage. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.