Mine do.

how about the ones started from the croms? I am guessing those do not like 1st year leeks?

Yes, elephant garlic produces scapes. Not sure about the plants that are grown from corms though as I always used a clove. And no, you don't need to let it scape to produce a bulb. You can snap the scapes off just like with regular garlic.

Rodney

Mine have scapes forming right now, some are about 8"', I planted cloves in October. First time growing, but from what I've read the scapes should come off, and I'll probably grill them as a side. I think the corms will require two years to produce a bulb, with just rounds the first year. I'll try to get a pic of mine tonight.

thank you, this is very helpful. I wonder why mine did not scape last year. If I remember correctly, the elephant garlic also did not form divided heads- just rounds. The regular garlic in the same bed did form divided heads. I think I mostly planted the croms in the fall so it looks like I will not expect them to scape. If those produce croms, I will continue to just grow from those.

the size of the plants this year from croms look about the same size as those last year which formed rounds. I'd be very happy with that output if that is the case and would continue to just grow from croms. We did have a brutal winter last year so maybe that caused it.

Here's mine, planning on grilling them soon and will let you know how they are!

very nice!!

I've been growing elephant garlic for nearly 30 years, and they definitely have scapes. Whether grown from cloves, rounds, or corms, it is all the same genetic material, and they will all develop scapes once they have adequate size. Removing the scapes help the heads form bigger, but I always like to leave a few because of the large, beautiful flower head on the curving stem. Dig carefully so you can remove and save all the corms - I like getting them up so I can plant them where I choose instead of having them coming up randomly wherever the garlic was grown. Even though I grow a number of other varieties, my wife and I prefer the elephant garlic because of the size of the cloves and the fact it can even be used raw in salads, etc. The scapes can be used like asparagus.

Thanks DRM- this is great news for me because I'd love to have some scapes from the elephant garlic I am growing from the corms.

The elephant garlic grown from the croms will just have a round though, correct?

We grilled the scapes pictured Sunday with EVOO, salt and pepper, delicious! An added food bonus as I did not know they produced scapes. If the bulbs are as tasty as the scapes, I'll have to plant many more in the fall. Mine came from SESE.

drmbear, how long now until bulb harves?

Here in Zone 7, Virginia, I harvest EG and most of my other garlics from late June to midway through July. I have a California Early that starts a little before the rest. The EG corms, the ones that sprout, will usually only get to small rounds in the first year. I just cut a bunch of scapes to start a half gallon jar to fermenting. I have enjoyed the fermented green beans so much through this past winter, that a bunch of garlic scapes cut in 2" pieces seems really appealing for the coming winter - they stay nice and crispy, and make a nice addition to salads and such.

Does your elephant garlic ever get bitter? If so, why? Thank you.