I've killed my chives...twice

[orchard-andi]

Hi all out there,

This is my first time posting on The Grapevine and I need some help if you can. I'm most definately what is classed as a newbie...

Last year I grew basil, tomatoes, pumpkins and chives from seed. All went well other than the chives. They germinated, I got about 5 leaves out of them and then they shivelled up and died. (They were started in a heated propagator, and then brought out onto the kitchen windowsill) I thought it was the cooking fumes and heating etc that killed them last year.

This year I bought a chive plant from a garden centre where they had been stored outside, brought it home repotted it and now this one is going the same way. Is it usual for the leaves to go yellow and then die? I'm guessing not. What am I doing wrong can anyone tell me please... any suggestions would be greatly received. I just cant work it out...

Many thanks for your help. Andi

[Snadger]

Hello Andi and welcome to the vine!

Chives are perfectly hardy outside! Not sure from your post whether you're tying to grow them inside or outside? Outside is best!!

[SimonCole]

I'd also aim for more light and avoid over-watering.

[rustylady]

Chives are hardy plants. Sounds as if you're keeping them too hot and too wet. Do you have any space in the garden - if so just plant out your supermarket pot of chives, give it one good watering and then leave it to itself.

[Alice]

Hello Orchard and welcome to the Vine. Chives are fully hardy and fuss free. Left to themselves they will seed all over the place. I would suggest you buy another one, harden it off (put it outside during the day but take it in at night for a few days, then leave it outside day and night for a few days) then pant it outside in the ground, or just leave it outside in a pot. I do hope your chives will work for you. Let's know how you get on.

[orchard-andi]

Thanks for your help

Hi all,

Thanks for replying to my cry for help... I have them outside in a pot at the moment, I think it might be the overwatering thing. I will try and leave this one alone to do it's thing and get another one with the intention of letting it cope on its own (to an extent).

Thanks again for replying, you might see a few more cries for help in the coming months.

[terrier]

I thought chives were indestructable. I've had small pots of chives that I've forgotten about in the garden, the plants have apeared to die off but the following spring they always start up again. Just buy a pack of seeds, chuck'em in a corner of the garden and ignore them for 12 months. You'll never want for chives again.

[Earthbabe]

Hi orchard-andi and welcome. You don't say whether you have a patch of ground. If you do plant them out, pick the flower heads off as they appear for the best crop and they will multiply quite happily. When the clump gets too large dig it up in the autumn, divide it and replant. Chives freeze very well as they are so when it starts to cool down, chop the green bits off, chop up if you want and freeze. The rest will die down over winter and regrow in the spring.

[Flummery]

Definitely put them out and be a bit meaner to them! (PS you get this year's chive-killing medal, I think!) Good luck with the next lot - they're well worth persevering with. I hate mint but my herb of choice for new potatoes is scattered chopped chives (and some butter of course!)

[madderbat]

Hi Andi, and welcome to the vine.
I too had a problem growing chives,kept some in a pot last year, and although they died off over winter, they have come back, but Ive now planted them out.

I get a feeling that they like it a bit moist,but not overwatered. The best crop I saw belongs to a neighbour who had them in a big pot and left them at the bottom of the garden behind some overgown grass. They really grew well. Maybe they like a bit of shade?
good luck this year.

[Cutecumber]

I agree with the others - you've tried to be far too nice to your chives. Treat 'em mean!

They really should take care of themselves if planted out.

I am not keen on them to eat, personally, but the bees really love them!

[orchard-andi]

I'm so glad I got a medal for being seriously bad at growing chives... Thats an achievement in itself. Thanks so much for all your replies, you have all been great and really really helpful. Not something you can always find the answers to in magazines. Roll on meany me...

[steelsy]

Hi all,

Thanks for replying to my cry for help... I have them outside in a pot at the moment, I think it might be the overwatering thing. I will try and leave this one alone to do it's thing and get another one with the intention of letting it cope on its own (to an extent).

Thanks again for replying, you might see a few more cries for help in the coming months.

I had the same problem - I've been loitering around just reading the posts for a few weeks and finally decided to take the plunge and register for the forum. We've just moved into a new house and I'm hoping to start growing my own stuff, total beginner - I'm sure I'll get a few laughs at questions I'll ask but hey if you don't ask - you don't know!

[Flummery]

Welcome to the grapevine steelsy. You'll get loads of help here - some of it conflicting - we're all learning together. Plenty of laughs too. Glad you took the plunge.

Flum

[steelsy]

Thanks! It's all a bit exciting!! xx