Introduction to the Characteristics of the Garlic Variety Hongpi No. 1

I. Characteristics and Traits. The outer skin of this variety's garlic bulbs is red, with a diameter of about 3 cm; each bulb weighs 80-100 g and contains 5-6 cloves. The lower half of the garlic stalk is red. Both the stalk and the scape are solid, and the stalk's cross-section is round, with a base thickness (diameter) of about 1.2 cm and a plant height of about 80 cm. It is heat-tolerant and cold-tolerant, with strong growth vigor. Hongpi No. 1 is a medium-maturing variety. The growth periods for garlic sprouts, scapes and bulbs are 3 months, 4.5 months and 5 months respectively. The yield per mu of garlic sprouts is 2500-3500 kg; the yield per mu of scapes is 200-400 kg, with a maximum of up to 750 kg; the yield per mu of bulbs is 500-700 kg, with a maximum of up to 2000 kg. The garlic sprouts have a rich aroma when stir-fried, and when grown under black plastic film to produce garlic yellow, the flavor is even better. The scapes are tender in texture, with a spicy and slightly sweet taste. The bulbs have a strong pungent flavor.

II. Key Cultivation Points

1. Short-term sowing: Generally sown from July to November (or refer to the local garlic sowing time), with scapes and bulbs harvested from March to May of the following year. When grown for garlic sprouts for consumption, sowing can be done all year round. When the main purpose is harvesting bulbs, the density should be slightly wider; dibbling or furrow sowing can be used, with 0.75-1 kg of seed per mu, 15,000-20,000 plants per mu, and a plant-to-row spacing of 6-9 x 50 cm. The density can also refer to the local garlic cultivation density. When the purpose is harvesting garlic sprouts and scapes, the density can be higher. With broadcast sowing, 1.5-2.5 kg of seed is used per mu, with 30,000-50,000 plants per mu and a plant-to-row spacing of 3-6 x 30-40 cm. Depending on need, the density can be increased to 75,000 plants per mu. If the temperature is too high, after sowing the seed must be covered with sieved fine soil; after spraying herbicide, cover with 1 cm of rice straw or other thatch along the rows to preserve moisture and lower the temperature, so that the seed germinates normally.

2. Fertilizer and water management. Apply 2000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure and 50 kg of potassium sulfate three-element compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer. During the seedling stage, apply nitrogen fertilizer and foliar fertilizer lightly several times to promote seedling growth. During the growing period, combine with watering and apply topdressing, cultivation and hilling in stages to promote bulb expansion and scape growth. If the purpose is selling garlic sprouts and scapes, appropriately increase the application of nitrogen fertilizer and foliar fertilizer.

3. Pest and disease control. After garlic sprouts emerge, spray promptly to prevent insects and treat diseases. Generally, use 40% thiophanate-methyl at 800-1000 times dilution to control leaf blight, and use 50% carbendazim at 800-1000 times dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil at 600 times dilution, to control stem rot. Garlic maggots are the main pests harming garlic. Control methods: when sowing, broadcast Tiannuo Xianjing in the sowing furrow; or from early April to early May, use 3-4 kg of 10% profenofos per mu mixed with 20-30 kg of soil, mix evenly and broadcast on the ground, then water; or use 0.5-0.75 kg per mu of 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate at 800-1000 times dilution as a root drench for control.