How to Germinate Chive Seeds: A Beginner’s Guide for Successful Sprouting
Do you want to grow fresh and flavorful chives like a pro? It all starts with a tiny seed and the magic of how to germinate chive seeds. Understanding this initial stage is crucial because germination is the foundation of the entire growing process. Without proper germination, your dream of homegrown herbs would not sprout! It is nothing but an initial spark that brings life to the seed, enabling it to break dormancy and start its journey into a vibrant, edible plant.
Read more to learn how to give those chive seeds the ideal conditions to wake up and grow.
Also read: How do you grow Chinese chives?
Easy Steps to Successfully Sprout Chive Seeds
1. Preparation:
- Use a small pot or tray with drainage holes at the bottom.
- Special light and loose soil for starting seeds.
- Now, sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep and lightly cover them with the mixture.
- Water the soil to moisten it, and avoid overwatering.
2. Germination:
- Keep the temperature between 60-70°F (15-21 degrees Celsius) for proper germination process.
- Do not forget to keep the soil continuously moist but not soggy.
- Cover the container with a plastic bag or propagator for maintaining maintain moisture.
- Just wait! It may take 1 to 3 weeks for the little seedlings to start growing. This can vary depending on the environment.
- Do chive seeds need light to germinate? Yes, they typically need light to germinate at this stage. While some seeds germinate in darkness, chives prefer light exposure during the process. Once you see sprouts, give them light! Move them to a bright location or provide supplemental lighting.
3. After Germination:
- If too many little plants are growing close together, then carefully take out some of them so each one has its own space.
- Don’t let the soil dry out; water them regularly as they grow bigger.
4. Transplanting:
- Once Established: When your little plants are about 5cm (2 inches) tall, you can transplant them into larger pots or plant them where you wish to grow them.
- Hardening off (if needed): If you want to plant them outside, you need to get them used to the weather slowly. Place them in a cooler spot and direct sunlight for a few days before planting them in the ground.
Garlic Chives vs Onion Chives
Garlic chives and onion chives are both edible herbs from the same Allium family, but they are distinct in several key ways. Here, the key differences are discussed below:
1. Garlic Chives (Chinese Chives):
- Garlic chives can be eaten raw, and they are very similar in texture to leeks.
- They have a mild garlic flavor that distinguishes them from the oniony taste of common chives.
- Chinese chives have flat leaves, resembling thin grass, and are typically a brighter green than onion chives. Additionally, these plants can grow about 20 inches tall.
- Garlic chives flower is usually shaped like a dainty white star and form a cluster on little flower heads. These flowers bloom in late summer to early fall.
- They are widely used in Asian foods, like stir-fries, dumplings, soups, and noodles.
- Garlic chives are also known as Chinese chives, Asian chives, Chinese leeks, and Oriental garlic.
2. Onion chives/Common chives:
- Onion chives have a mild onion flavor, more delicate than most onions.
- These (common chives) have thin, tubular, and hollow leaves instead of blades. They are typically dark green.
- They usually grow in dense clumps and reach about 10 to 15 inches tall.
- They have pale purple to pink flowers (sometimes white, pink, or red) in spring to early summer.
- Common chives are primarily used fresh as a garnish or added at the end of cooking to preserve their delicate flavor. You often see them in egg dishes, soups, salads, dips, and on top of baked potatoes; furthermore, they are part of the French herb mix “fines herbes.”
- Onion chives are also known as common chives.
Nerdy facts
The botanical name of Chive is Allium schoenoprasum. This plant is excellent for our precious pollinators, which are animals that help flowers produce seeds.
Conclusion
Learning the complete germination process of chive seeds is the first step toward enjoying your own supply of fresh and flavorful chives. Just follow these simple steps—proper preparation, the right germination conditions, and after-sprouting care—and you’ll grow a great herb garden. Whether your choice is Chinese chives or common chives, they both start with a seed. The seed needs to wake up. It will then reach for the light. So plant away and let the magic begin!
