Garlic Rocambol - features of cultivation and storage methods
Every year, all summer residents plant many different fruit crops on their plots. One of the key products is garlic, which has a pungent taste and a large amount of nutrients in its composition. Among the varieties, it is recommended to pay attention to Rocambol, which has a mild taste and grows well in regions with a moderate temperature regime.
Content:
- General information about the garlic variety
- Care
- Reproduction
- Harvesting
- Storing Rocambol garlic
- Application and useful properties
General information about the garlic variety
Rocambol garlic is a perennial herb that belongs to the lily family. Distributed and widely used on an industrial scale in Europe and Asia. On the territory of Russia, it is a rather rare species, but in recent years it has been found much more often in summer cottages and vegetable gardens. Garlic Rocambol has several names: garlic, onion, Spanish or Egyptian garlic.
Outwardly, the top of the plant resembles a leek.
Description of garlic:
- It is a thick, fleshy trunk, from which dense, wide and oblong green leaves with a slight silvery bloom emerge.
- Height garlic can reach 80-120 cm, depending on the soil and the place of growth.
- In the middle of summer, garlic releases an arrow-peduncle, on which bells of a purple tone are collected in spherical inflorescences of a small size. Gardeners recommend immediately removing the arrow, since it will not bring seeds, but will pull on the plant juices.
- The lower part, the Rocamboll bulb, is a constituent of 4-6 cloves, which are found in fibrous scales.
Under normal conditions, an onion can be about 6 cm in size and weigh about 100 grams. But with proper care, choosing a place and soil, its dimensions become much larger. The head can exceed 10 cm in diameter and weigh up to 300 grams. In the first year after planting, a one-toothed specimen is formed. The next year, teeth are formed, and children grow under the top layer. There can be 4-20 of them, depending on the variety. Garlic has a slightly different taste. It is less spicy, its flesh is juicy.
Care
Rokambol garlic care does not differ from its congeners, so it will not be difficult to grow it. It is easy to plant, has a good germination rate and gives a rich harvest.
Choosing a landing site garlic, you must follow a few rules:
- The soil should be fertile, loose, and the predecessors should be legumes, cucumbers or cabbage... Also, the place should be on a hill so that the water does not stagnate, well lit and warm.
- It is recommended to prepare the ground in advance. To do this, in the autumn, the entire plot is dug up along with humus or compost. It is also recommended to add wood ash. It is desirable to arrange the beds from north to south. They are planted in moist soil in the spring, it is possible in the early months, since the plant is not afraid of frost. In southern regions with warm winters, it can be planted in the fall.
Before landing it is necessary to sort out the teeth and distribute them in size so that during growth the stronger specimens do not shade the smaller ones. There should be a distance of at least 25 cm between the beds, as well as between the cloves when planting.
After all the garlic is placed in the beds, it is covered with earth and mulched with moist peat. This ensures good germination and provides additional nutrition for the small sprouts. Also, in the spring, this method will allow you to keep more heat and moisture in the soil. It is recommended to water the plot regularly so that the soil is constantly moist. This is essential for the normal growth of the plant.
After each watering, after the sprouts appear on the surface, the soil must be loosened and cleaned weeds.
This procedure is carried out not only in the aisle, but also carefully, so as not to damage, cleaned between each sprout. With proper soil preparation in the autumn, apply fertilizers there will be no need. But if the garlic grows weak, then there is not enough nutrition. This can be seen in the pale and thin leaves. To restore balance, nitrogen fertilization is applied under young sprouts, this can be chicken droppings or mullein.
Reproduction
Reproduction of Rocambol garlic occurs by means of cloves, which grow over the season. They are separated, the lower cup is removed and soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate before planting. The teeth are planted in the beds along with the husk, and the children must be cleaned, since they cannot break through.
Disembarkation is carried out in spring or autumn.
Garlic This species tolerates wintering and freezing well, but prolonged cold weather and a drop in temperature to -15 degrees can lead to the death of crops. Therefore, it is necessary to independently determine the planting period depending on the region.
Harvesting
Basically, Rocambol garlic is grown for use in the autumn, winter and spring, therefore, when harvesting and storage several rules must be followed so as not to spoil the product. All procedures are quite simple and do not require special skills or equipment.
Usually Rocambol garlic is harvested in September. The lower leaves of the plant should dry out, and the upper ones should turn yellow and stick. But it is impossible to determine the exact date, since the ripening period depends on the region, growing conditions, soil introduced fertilizers and other parameters. If the weather is rainy, then you need to wait until the ground is completely dry. The heads are taken out of the soil carefully so as not to damage them and in no case should they be hit on the ground or on a shovel to shake off the ground. The pulp of this type of garlic is quite tender and, if damaged, the product can be completely spoiled.
The tops are not cut, they are left to be braided for storage.
After harvesting, all the garlic must be dried. This can be done on the site by spreading the vegetable on a blanket or put under a canopy for long-term drying and airing. If it is not possible to do this process outdoors, the garlic is tied in bunches and hung in a well-ventilated room.
Storing Rocambol garlic
All heads should be carefully inspected for damage and defects prior to storage. A good product is put into storage, a spoiled product is recommended to be used in the near future. After drying, the roots and most of the upper part are cut off, but not completely. Garlic can be stored in nets or wooden crates.
The Rocambol variety does not require a special cool room or any other additional conditions.
It keeps well at home at room temperature. But gardeners recommend storing it, as well as garlic usual varieties familiar to our region.
Due to its composition, garlic, like its other relatives, is not attacked. pests... Therefore, there is no need to process it. It is also resistant to almost all common diseases... Therefore, if the plants begin to die, this indicates improper care.
Application and useful properties
Rocambol garlic is used primarily in cooking. Its young green leaves are also suitable for salads and fire cooking. Chives are used raw together with vegetables, as a seasoning or on their own. Also garlic added to soups, sauces, meat and vegetable dishes. It gives a piquant taste and a unique smell.
This vegetable contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients:
- It is recommended for use during colds and viral epidemics for prevention and treatment. And all thanks to the high content of vitamins C and E, iron, phytoncide and essential oils.
- Also, the useful components of Rocambol garlic have a beneficial effect on the vascular system and heart. Its substances dilate blood vessels, which increases the body's blood flow.
- Also, when it is used in food, harmful cholesterol is reduced.
- It is used in the treatment of skin diseases, fungi and the digestive tract.
This vegetable has many beneficial properties and has a positive effect on almost the entire body. But there are also caveats. It should not be eaten if you have stomach, gall bladder or kidney problems. And overeating of this product can lead to undesirable consequences.
It will not be difficult to grow Rocambol garlic in a summer cottage.
But everyone will like the result. Large heads, pleasant taste, easy care. Despite the fact that this variety is not widespread enough, it is gaining popularity in our regions. Therefore, in the near future, it will most likely be found in any garden.
More information can be found in the video.