Xian

This cultivar falls into the Artichoke Group, Type 2 and shares its evolution with others in this sub-group from Formosan to Taiwanese and Taiwanese Purple. Long time grower Roger Schmitke selected bulbs from this heritage that produced larger bulbs and cloves then other cultivars grown in the 80s and 90s. These went to Queensland’s Gatton Research Station and over a 6 year period they were grown and selected and replanted, selecting only the biggest and best bulbs and cloves. In 1997 Southern Glen named and released. See the Production of Garlic here
This day-length neutral cultivar is a very important cultivar for growers in warmer more northern regions.

International name/s: Xian, Xi'an

Flavour: Very hot on first taste, more mellow and earthy afterwards.

Storage: Short, to 4 months.

Growing location: Xian grows well in most states from Tasmania to Northern NSW and inland Southern Qld. Also Victoria, SA and Southern WA.

Growing requirements: They like reasonably cold winters and hot dry summers. Plants will go quickly from being almost ready to past the best time to harvest. Watch them and harvest quickly when ready.

Planting and harvest: Early to plant and early to harvest.

Shape: Bulbs are a flattened-globe shape with a flat to convex base.

Skin colour and texture: The skin is white to pale mauve and strongly purple striped and blotched. Skins are thin and break easily when dry.

Number and layout: 7-10 cloves generally in a single layer but there may be 1 or more inner cloves.

Size and shape: Cloves are plump and blocky with blunt tips, 3cm tall and 2cm wide.

Skin colour and texture: The fine skin is relatively easy to peel and is pink with fine purple stripes.

Size and shape: Plants are generally smaller than some other Turbans although they will be stronger and more upright in regions with cold winters.

Leaves: Medium green to yellow-green, well spaced up the pseudostem. Folded in middle.

Young plants: Fast growing with lower leaves at a wide angle to the stem.

Matures: Plants mature rapidly near harvest. It's important to harvest quickly before the skins split.

Scape: Relatively strong scape although still classed as weakly bolting. Forms an upside-down U.

Umbel and beak: Umbel is turban shaped and the beak is of average length.

Bulbils and flowers: Bulbils are small to medium often 50+. No flowers.

Australian Garlic

General Information

Bulb

Clove

Plant

Artichoke Group

Silverskin Group

Subtropical Group

Asiatic Group

Creole Group

Middle Eastern Group

Turban Group

Glazed Purple Stripe Group

Marbled Purple Stripe Group

Porcelain Group

Rocambole Group

Standard Purple Stripe Group