Garlic White Elephant: description and characteristics

Elephant garlic is a type of Rocambole, which has an elegant taste and is successfully used by culinary specialists in the preparation of various dishes. The white elephant is an unpretentious plant with high yields, for which vegetable growers appreciated it.

History of variety breeding

Rocambole was bred in the 40th century in the Balkans, from where the culture was brought to America in the 3s of the same century. XNUMX varieties of garlic were bred from Rocambol, 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 the Crimea.

Variety description

White Elephant is a winter garlic of the non-shooting type, and is a type of leek.

The main distinguishing 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 a high immunity to fusarium;
• not afraid of low temperatures;
• forms up to 8 teeth;
• has a semi-sharp garlic taste;
• stem grows up to 1 m.

Features

Despite the fact that the plant is not listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Federation, White Elephant garlic is very popular among the people and even has several different names:

• snake bow;
• Lebanese, German, Egyptian, Spanish garlic;
• horse or elephant garlic;
• onion.

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;
• the antioxidant allicin;
• essential oil;
• carbohydrates.

Garlic of the White Elephant variety helps the body cope with certain diseases, having a positive effect on the immune system. In particular, garlic is able to:

• eliminate pathologies caused by fungi and viruses;
• normalize blood flow in the vessels;
• strengthen the heart
• improve digestion;
• eliminate skin diseases;
• strengthen hair and improve their growth;
• relieve inflammation from the oral mucosa.

Productivity

Winter garlic White elephant is characterized by high yields. With proper care and cultivation per 1 sq. m of soil accounts for up to 3 kg of garlic, given that the weight of one head can reach 200 g.

The representative of this culture 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 the normal development of the plant is possible only if there is a sufficient amount of watering;
• Climatic conditions: in Asia, it is possible to grow garlic in industrial quantities, since the climate and soil composition is considered ideal for the White Elephant. If you grow a variety in Siberia, then the crop yield is somewhat reduced, and the growing season is extended by 10-15 days;
• Soil quality: Sandy or loamy soil is suitable for the White Elephant variety.

Stability

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 for the winter the plants should be covered with a layer of mulch. In the northern regions, where the frosts are stronger, 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. They form dark spots that look like rot. Due to Fusarium, many types of garlic suffer, so it is important to remember that planting the White Elephant in the ground 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 – mixtures of garlic and onions;
• the presence of many useful trace elements and vitamins;
• the possibility of fresh consumption;
• beneficial effect on the state of the body.

Of the shortcomings, it is only possible to single out the fact 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 the White Elephant, although not a typical representative of garlic, at the same time, has some features associated with its use:

• the ability to cause an allergic reaction;
• with uncontrolled use, adversely affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract;
• contraindications for taking by people suffering from peptic ulcer and gastritis;
• with frequent use fresh, the ability to reduce visual acuity;
• provoke the manifestation of headaches and the development of migraine;
• threaten with risks when used by women who are expecting a baby or nursing mothers, as well as by persons with pathologies of the gallbladder and kidneys.

Planting and care

The garlic variety Elephant, whose photo is impressive in its size, can be planted even by a novice gardener.

Landing rules:

1. First you need to prepare a bed, which is located from south to north. 3 weeks before planting, the soil is loosened, compost or humus is added to it (1 bucket per 1 sq. M) and 500 g of ash.
2. 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 landing.
3. If the landing is scheduled for autumn, then this must be done no later than mid-October. In the spring, garlic is planted in mid-April – early May.
4. The beds are formed at a certain interval – at least 30 cm.
5. Garlic cloves are planted every 20 cm, planting seedlings to a depth of no more than 10 cm.
6. In autumn, it is necessary to immediately mulch, covering the seedlings with a small layer of sawdust or peat.

In order for garlic to reach its optimum size, it must be properly cared for.

1. Loosening the soil should be done regularly, especially after prolonged rains. So you can avoid the formation of a crust on the soil.
2. Weeding is carried out as weeds grow, which take away useful microelements from the plant.
3. 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 moment during the formation of heads and the formation of young shoots. It is better to take settled, warm water in order to reduce the risk of developing fungal diseases.
4. Top dressing should be carried out 3 times – 15 days after the appearance of the first shoots, and then once a month. Fertilizers containing nitrogen (a solution of urea or ammonium nitrate) are best suited for the first feeding. Subsequent feeding is carried out with a solution of bird droppings or mullein, as well as nitroammophosphate.

Diseases and pests

Garlic varieties White Elephant is disease resistant. But some pathologies can manifest themselves with improper care of the culture:

1. Peronosporoz – powdery mildew, which covers the aerial parts of the plant. After the disease is affected, the 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.
2. yellow dwarfism – develops in the case when plant propagation is carried out for a long time with cloves. In this case, the bulbs grow poorly and turn yellow.
3. Onion fly, tobacco thrips and nematode – are also dangerous pests that can destroy the plant at the stage of its development. 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-garlic, which is loved by the inhabitants of the country for its taste, unpretentiousness in 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.

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