Potato and garlic

[Ian]

Both growing well this year in the garden:



On the left are potato flowers and the two stems on the right are garlic 'scapes' or flower stems. I understand that scapes never form flowers and instead produce 'bulbils' which are basically mini garlic plants - an any experts confirm? I read that scapes should be chopped off to help the garlic bulbs develop better.

Olympus OM-D E-M5, m.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 in macro mode (25mm - equivalent to 50mm in FF), ISO 640, f/8, 100th second.

Ian

[escallonia]

Re: Potato and garlic

The macro is very good Ian and it's only the 12: 50. Had my first taste of my spuds today very pleased with the result.
Shall I get the 60mm macro I can't make up my mind I have the zuiko 50mm and that I am well satisfied. John.

[Ian]

Re: Potato and garlic

The Zuiko 50 f/2 is hard to beat and arguably you don't need AF for macro work, but the 60 does do 1:1 compared to 1:2 with the 50.

Ian

[escallonia]

Re: Potato and garlic

Now I did not know that Ian. although I could change it 1to1 in Light room or would it be loosing pixels?

[Ian]

Re: Potato and garlic

Yes the subject would be half the size on the frame at closest focus using the 50 f/2 compared to the 60 f/2.8. Cropping in lightroom would be at the cost if resolution.

Ian

[escallonia]

Re: Potato and garlic

I am sold Ian The 60mm micro is on the top of my list thanks for your advice and sorry to be late in answering. enjoy your self in japan regards John.

[Ian]

Re: Potato and garlic

Thanks - Julia and I are flying on Tuesday morning from Heathrow - 09:55 KLM to Schiphol and then 12.40 (CET) to Osaka - not too bad; 10 hours 40 minutes in the air from Schiphol . We arrive 20 minutes past midnight UK time or 8:20 AM local time. That's roughly 18 hours from leaving Julia's parents house (6AM) where the children will be staying while we're away.

I hoping to be posting regularly from Japan

Ian

[Pops]

Re: Potato and garlic

You can remove the garlic tops Ian and you can also remove the flowers from the spuds.
In both cases it will encourage growth below the soil.

[Ian]

Re: Potato and garlic

You can remove the garlic tops Ian and you can also remove the flowers from the spuds.
In both cases it will encourage growth below the soil.

Interesting - didn't know about the potato flowers tip although I fear that this year I may be too late!

Ian

[escallonia]

Re: Potato and garlic

Keep us informed Ian and some photo's of Osaka I expect you and your wife are very excited, Take care and have a good trip.John.

[Ian]

Re: Potato and garlic

Well be in Osaka for the first three days and Tokyo for four days. The plan is to visit Mount Fuji on 4th August. While we're in Osaka we'll be visiting the historic city of Kyoto, which is fairly close by. I have actually been to all these places before but not for a few years (Kyoto - over 10 years ago now) but it will all be new to Julia.

Ian

[Pops]

Re: Potato and garlic

Interesting - didn't know about the potato flowers tip although I fear that this year I may be too late!

Ian

Never to late. The plant energy being spent on the flowers is much better spent on the tubers.

I have garlic planted but I don't crop it, can't stand the stuff. I keep it among the roses and it keeps blackspot off them. I just lop off the tops from time to time keeping it just a few inches above the soil. It blends in nicely and unless you know its there its invisible. Had it among 3 bush roses for 3 years now and never a sign of blackspot.