Problem growing chives

[Scoot]

I'm having major problems growing my chives this year. Luckily I have a couple of little bundles planted in the garden from last year which are growing well.

The seed packet I had said "Sow before June 2015" which I did but, Nothing, literally not even one.

So I bought a new packet of Garlic chives this time and planted them. Again absolutely nothing. Literally not even 1 growing.

They are in my grow house. Is I possible it could be too warm for them?

They aren't over watered. They get as much heat and water as everything else and everything else seems to be growing.

Any ideas anyone?

[maverick451]

Mine took about 2-3 weeks to show.

[cariann88]

Same with mine, they did take a while to grow.

[Scoot]

Well I planted my first lot in February (from the old seed packet I had) and nothing showed. I bought a new packet about a month ago, planted them straight away and still nothing. It just seems strange.

I've just planted some more in the same little pots I tried the last lot in only this time I will be leaving them outside the grow house to see if that makes any difference.

[Lumpy]

Try putting them out during the day but back in your growhouse at night if it is going to get really cold. The ones in my front garden are bounding away (they were split from a clump last year) so maybe they are just getting too warm

[Scoot]

Thanks Lumpy, I'll try that.

The ones I have in my garden from last year have started to get flowers (the flower bulbs anyway).

Do I just let them grow away or is it best to trim and cut them?

[roitelet]

Cut them back regularly if you don't want them to flower. Cut them short even if you don't use them that way they will produce new leaves.

[Chippy Minton]

And / or eat the flowers

[astraman1]

got a plant from asda that will be going in my herb planter when i get chance

[rustylady]

Why are you sowing new seed if you have established plants?

[Penellype]

I grew garlic chives last year. Although they are hardy (and mine have survived the winter outside), they do need high temperatures to germinate - the packet says 20-25 degrees. It also says they need light to germinate. Not sure about chives as I have not grown them from seed.

[BertieFox]

You need the patience of Job to grow chives and similar things from seed as you need to wait for the following year before you will get any substantial harvest. Far better to buy a clump in a pot or get them from some friends or fellow gardeners.

I have just been harvesting my garlic chives which I sowed around 14 months ago! It was worth the wait but I have just seen some large clumps for sale in pots for less than I paid for my seed packet!

[Trix]

I have sowed garlic chives in the polytunnel (in a pot) - it's been well over a month and there are a few straggly looking stems there now. It's been getting pretty warm in there in the days. I'm starting to think that I should have sowed them a lot more thickly. The seeds were free last year so no loss whatever happens!

I will probably stick the rest of the pack in a pot this week and see if I can get enough for a decent clump.

My other chives are starting to flower nicely - is there an advantage to chopping off the flowers?

[Valleyman]

I have sowed garlic chives in the polytunnel (in a pot) - it's been well over a month and there are a few straggly looking stems there now. It's been getting pretty warm in there in the days. I'm starting to think that I should have sowed them a lot more thickly. The seeds were free last year so no loss whatever happens!

I will probably stick the rest of the pack in a pot this week and see if I can get enough for a decent clump.

My other chives are starting to flower nicely - is there an advantage to chopping off the flowers?

How thickly did you sow them?

About an inch between plants is about right in my experience, as they then fill out nicely. A bit more or a bit less tho they will find a way.

[Trix]

How thickly did you sow them?

Just a sprinkle in a small pot - I really didn't pay much attention

Less than an inch though, so it's good to hear that they are likely to fill out.