This is a Rocombole type garlic.
This garlic must get it’s name from the occasional black (gray) splotches on the skin, which you can see on the bulb to the right.
The original planting stock I got from The Garlic Store was absolutely huge, the largest bulb of garlic I have ever seen besides elephant garlic. This store is located in Colorado, and perhaps that’s home to this variety. All the cloves I planted produced healthy bulbs, but nothing approaching the original bulb. Perhaps when this one gets acclimated it will get larger.
This is a very promising garlic.
Just wanted to mention that this is a very good garlic growing guide. Thank you Patrick, I have learned some new types from you!
Thanks Cyndy! There are a couple more posts still to come…
I live in the USA and have been looking to buy a couple bulbs for planting. The two places that are registered in the US as having this either do not or are out of business. Does someone have this variety and is willing to sell the quantity mentioned?
Great looking garlic? Is this a spicy, or warm spicy garlic?
Hi Farmer John,
That’s a good question!
Over the last couple of years I’ve grown and tasted more than 100 different kinds of garlic, and I’m afraid the flavor of this one is long forgotten. I think this was more warm spicy, so maybe good for cooked dishes, but honestly I’m not completely sure any more.
Patrick,
Just to let you know this variety of garlic does get its name from the splotches like you mention. It was originally found in the Ft. Collins area in Colorado and is suppose to be able to grow in poor soils. At least thats the info I was able to find on this garlic last year while I was trying to find garlic to buy. Now I have about 70 varieties planted and will be harvesting here this year. This fall I hope to have 1/4 acre planted (I found a good deal on organic cert. land) I am hoping for 10-15,000 cloves planted this fall.
Good luck Lee! It sounds great.