Chives Allium Schoenoprasum


Chives (Allium Schoenoprasum)

Chive or chives is a bulbous herb that can be grown both in pots and on the ground. It produces very decorative pink inflorescences, and can also be used in the kitchen.

So if you need to give some color to your favorite space in the home and in the process include a natural ingredient to your recipes, then we will explain everything about chives.

CHIVES

Characteristics Of The Chives (Allium Schoenoprasum)

Our protagonist is a bulbous perennial herb native to Canada and Siberia. Its scientific name is Allium schoenoprasum and is popularly known as chives, onions, chives, garlic onions or chives. It grows to a height of 30 to 50cm from a bulb that has a conical shape and measures between 2 and 3cm long by 1cm wide . The leaves are hollow and tubular, with a soft texture.

The flowers, which sprout in spring (April in the northern hemisphere) are purple and are grouped in inflorescences surrounded by a bract (modified leaf that protects them) with a texture similar to that of paper. The seeds are produced in three-valve capsules that mature in summer.

Chives Allium Schoenoprasum

How is it grown?

If you want to get a specimen for yourself, we recommend you follow these tips:

Sowing

The seeds are sown in spring , and it is done in the following way:

  1. First, fill a seed tray (you can get it here ) with substrate for seedlings (like this one ).
  2. Second, it is watered and a maximum of two seeds are placed for each alveolus.
  3. Third, they are covered with a thin layer of substrate and re-irrigated, this time with a sprayer.
  4. Fourth, the seedbed is placed in a plastic tray, outside in full sun.
  5. Fifth, every two days it is irrigated – throwing the water on the tray.

Thus, they will germinate over the next 14 days .

CHIVES Allium schoenoprasum

Plantation

When the plants have a height of about 5-10cm, it will be time to pass them to the garden or a pot. Let’s see how to proceed in each case :

Orchard

  1. First of all, prepare the soil: remove the wild herbs, fertilize with guano (or other organic fertilizer such as cow dung), and install the drip irrigation system.
  2. Then, you have to make the furrows, leaving a distance of about 120cm between them.
  3. Then, the plants are planted so that they are separated by 20cm between them.
  4. Finally, the irrigation system starts up.

Flower pot

  1. First, take a pot that measures at least 20cm in diameter and fill it with universal culture substrate.
  2. Second, a hole is made in the center, not too deep.
  3. Third, the plant is placed in the center.
  4. Fourth, the earth flattens out well.
  5. Fifth and last, it is watered and placed in full sun.

Maintenance

Now that you have planted them, you have to take care of them. For that you have to do the following :

  • Water 2-3 times a week in summer. The rest of the year it will not matter to water so often.
  • Pay at least once a month (at most every 15 days) with an organic fertilizer.
  • Remove the herbs that grow.

Harvest

The leaves have to be cut 1cm above ground level, from spring to autumn . Then you can have them in a glass with water for several days, cut them into 5mm long pieces and leave them in a ventilated place, or consume them directly.

Propagation

In addition to seeds, you can have chives by bulbs . To get them you have to let the plants grow at least a year, and from the second you can separate the bulbs in late winter or fall and plant them in other areas.

Plagues and diseases

It is very resistant . In fact, it is usually used as a repellent plant, because although it is not as effective as onion or garlic in my opinion.

Rusticity

It supports up to -7ºC minimum and up to 40ºC maximum as long as it has water.

What uses does it have?

Culinary

Chives have a flavor similar to onion, and are widely used in the kitchen. For example, it is common to find it finely chopped in salads, stuffed eggs, soups, tortillas or creams . Its nutritional value per 100 grams is as follows:

  • Calories: 30g
  • Total fats: 0.7g
    • Saturated fatty acids: 0.1g
    • Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 0.3g
    • Monounsaturated fatty acids: 0.1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 3mg
  • Potassium: 296mg
  • Carbohydrates: 4,4g
    • Fiber food: 2.5g
    • Sugars: 1.9g
  • Proteins: 3.3g
  • Vitamina A: 500ug
  • Vitamin C: 58.0mg
  • Vitamin B6: 0.1mg
  • Magnesium: 42mg
  • Iron: 1,6mg
  • Calcium: 92mg
  • Magnesium: 42mg
SMASHED POTATOES, BUTTER AND OF COURSE……CHIVES

If you want to benefit from it, you just have to include it in your diet. Of course, it is highly recommended to consume it fresh , so it is advisable to cut it when you go to eat.

CUT ONLY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO EAT TO KEEP THE PLANT FRESH.

We hope you have found everything you have read useful. Please write down in the comments and let me know your opinion about this plant.

Don Burke

I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide.  I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.

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