Asiatic/Turban- Variety Artichoke
(usually Hardneck - not braidable)

Asiatics

These garlic strains took a long time to track down.  The latest research classifies Asiatics as hardnecks genetically closest to  Rocambole, Purple Stripe, and Porcelain.

Asiatic bulbs size up very well without removal of the flower stalk which is usually short, drooping, and coiled. The bulbil capsule is long and wrinkled like a dried bean pod. Bulbil capsules contain only a few large dark purple bulbils.

Bulbs have a tendency to be striped with fine lines that run from top to bottom. Cloves are very firm and plump. Clove skins are thick and semi-glossy.

Asiatic garlics mature very suddenly, just ahead of other Artichokes. They should be harvested just as soon as leaves begin to brown. If you wait too long, until 40% of the leaves are browned you may find bulb wrappers split open.

One pound of seed bulbs will produce around 60 plants, though this number may vary.

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Turban

We believe these are Artichoke garlics because of the type of bulbils produced, their early maturation and clove shape. They are weak bolting garlics and earlier maturing than any of our other garlics. Like Asiatics, they should be harvested a week or so after their spathe (seed head) emerges.

Turban bulbs usually attain a good size even though the plants are small. The heavily striped bulbs are very attractive and are ideal for early season marketing before other garlics appear. Cloves are normally plump, with light, glossy pink to brown color.

Turbans may grow softneck in mild winter climates. One pound of seed stock produces around 60 plants.

Named because of the bright purple streaks and blotches on both bulb wrappers and clove skins, these are the most attractive looking garlics.  They are also very flavorful, usually winning “best baked garlic” taste tests conducted by Rodale, Sunset Magazine, Martha Stewart and others.

Most strains have 8 to 12 cloves per bulb.  Cloves are noticeably tallish and crescent shaped.   They store  slightly longer than Rocamboles and peel almost as easily. 

Purple Stripe plants are distinctive because their leaves grow at a wide angle to the stem.  Flower stalks may make perfect 270 degree curls that leave bulbil capsules floating and bobbing in the air like birds in flight.  These plants are so beautifull that they are sometimes used in landscaping, and the tops used in floral arrangements.

One pound of seed garlic will produce approximately 60 plants, though this number may vary.

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