Chives

[igenlode]

I took a packet of chive seed (hand-labelled '26 but presumably harvested last year, unless someone had overwintering chives!) from the local seed library -- a fair return for all the marigold and calendula seeds I had given them :-)
(I have some envelopes of evening primrose seed that I need to remember to post in the slot at some point as well...)

This was on the grounds that the last two times I'd tried sowing chives using my old seed it had been a complete failure, and I'd thrown the seed away. I put a thin scattering of the little black seeds (very similar to spring onion seed but smaller, strangely enough!) back into the pot where I have a couple of blades of chives still clinging to life; this may be a mistake, as the conditions there are evidently not causing the adult plants to thrive, but I'm reluctant to create any more fresh pots where I don't have to, since the balcony is already filling up quite fast again. Also, it means that I don't need to label the seed :-p

But when I went to file the rest of the unused seed away, I discovered that I already *had* an unopened packet of commercial seed that had evidently been given to me at some point last year on the grounds that it was date-expired, so I could have tried simply sowing that first rather than helping myself to the fresh seed... However, it was dated 'sow by 2023', so this swap seed will undoubtedly be more likely to germinate reliably.

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> from the local seed library <<

Thank you! I checked and found a local seed library. :D

>> the conditions there are evidently not causing the adult plants to thrive <<

Chives are cool-season, cold-tolerant perennials that prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soils.

>>However, it was dated 'sow by 2023'<<

Some seeds will last practically forever, others only a year or two. Chives are toward the shorter end.

Re: Thoughts

[igenlode]

Our seed library is new as of this autumn -- it just appeared as a cabinet in the local library with a slot underneath into which you can post your own saved and labelled seed for checking and redistribution. I saw while I was there that some of the calendula seed packages that I'd previously donated had made their way up onto the shelves above :-)

Chives are cool-season, cold-tolerant perennials that prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soils

I suspect the problem is that the extreme amounts of rain we have been having are causing waterlogging in the pot. The winter purslane has lost its roots, which have just rotted clean away, leaving the plant above to die by slow degrees (and sadly I don't have any seed from that; it has been trying to flower, but I very much doubt the seed will set before the plant is completely gone).

Some seeds will last practically forever, others only a year or two. Chives are toward the shorter end.

That definitely corresponds with my experience...

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Our seed library is new as of this autumn -- it just appeared as a cabinet in the local library with a slot underneath into which you can post your own saved and labelled seed <<

That is so awesome.

>> I suspect the problem is that the extreme amounts of rain we have been having are causing waterlogging in the pot. <<

Yeah, that's not good. You might try covering the chives, or a potting soil that drains better. Most is based on peat or coconut coir, which is lightweight but spongy. Adding more sand or perlite could improve drainage for plants with bulbs or other roots that dislike wet feet.