How to manage garlic during the bolting stage? Keep these key points in mind
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? Follow the editor below to take a look at the key management points for garlic during the 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, water in time. Generally, after the tail emerges, water continuously, watering once every 5-7 days, which can achieve the purpose of promoting 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 the 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 heads and increase yield, apply heavy phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can promote the elongation of the garlic scapes and the swelling of the garlic cloves. 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 is bolting, the temperature 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 shallow-hoe between the rows to remove weeds, which can not only remove weeds but also increase soil permeability and benefit root growth. Note that herbicides should not be used for weeding, to avoid the chemicals drifting onto the stems and leaves and causing the stems and leaves to dry up and die.
4. Pest and disease control
During the garlic bolting stage, pests and diseases occur relatively seriously. Among them, the main disease is leaf spot disease. When it occurs, round lesions appear on the leaves, and in severe cases it causes the leaves to wither and die, the base to rot, and the plants to lodge. When the disease occurs, spray a water-diluted solution of aluminum ethyl phosphonate + octylamine to control it. The pests include root maggots, thrips and aphids. They mainly feed on garlic bulbs, causing the bulbs to rot and damaging the root system. They can be controlled by spraying insecticide or drenching the holes.
The above is an introduction to the key management points for garlic during the bolting stage. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.