What is Garlic?
Garlic is a plant a strong favour.
Over the years, this plant has been known for its culinary uses and its
health benefits. What is responsible for
the immense health benefit of garlic? If
you are wondering what is responsible for this great health benefit the you
should state tuned. Garlic contains an
ingredient called allicin. Scientist
have shown that this allicin is potent against bacteria. It has great antibacterial action. It also have antifungal effect and thus can
be used in treatment of some fungal infections.
What is the Botanical name of Garlic?
The botanical name of garlic is Allium sativum. It is a species in the onion genus,
Allium. Close relatives of Garlic
include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo.
Description of Galic (Allium Sativum)
Garlic grows up to 0.5 m tall. It is a hermaphrodite plant and pollination
in it occurs by bees and insects.
Without bees and insects, pollination will not be possible in this
plant.
How is Garlic (Allium Sativum) Cultivated?
Galic (Allium sativum) is cultivated just like any other
plant. Just like most plants, garlic is
very easy to cultivate. What kind of
climate do you need to cultivate garlic (allium sativum)? Garlic (Allium sativum) can be cultivated in
mild climates. Propagation of garlic
(Allium sativum) can be sexually or asexually.
A great number of garlic cultivated is propagated sexually. Sexual propagation of this plant involves
plating of the individual cloves in the ground.
If you are in cold climates area, then it is advisable to plant your
garlic in the fall, just about 6 wks before freezing of the soil. Then you harvest your garlic in late
spring. One thing I like garlic for is
that it is pest and disease resistant.
This is probably because of its hardness. This does not mean that there is not pest of
disease that attacks it. Nematodes and
white rot disease and know to unleash attack on garlic.
Pink root can also attack garlic. This disease stunts the roots of garlic and
turns them pink or red.
If you are cultivating or growing garlic plants, it is
advisable to leave enough gap or space for the bulbs to mature. You can grow your garlic in containers that
have space and considerable depth.
Always select large cloves when planting your garlic.
When cultivating garlic, you should also consider your
location. Your location will largely
determine the subspecies of garlic you will cultivate. We have two major subspecies of garlic namely
the Hardneck and the Softneck garlic.
If you are in cooler climates, you are advised to grow the Hardneck
garlic. It grows better in cooler
climates. If you are in areas closer to
the equator, then you should grow or cultivate the softneck garlic.
A Brief History of
Garlic (Alliu Sativum)
Garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple
in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa,
and Europe. Garlic was known to Ancient Egyptians, and has been used throughout
its history for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Storage of Garlic - How to store your Garlic
You can store your garlic in a warm place that is above 18
C. It can also be stored by by drying
it. The cloves of garlic can be store in
wine in the refrigerator.
Garlic is usually stored in a dry and low humid
environment.
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