How to Grow Chives on a Balcony? A Detailed Guide to the Planting Method
Chives are also called the lazy person's vegetable, aphrodisiac grass, and so on. They have a very strong fragrance, are liked by many people, and can be eaten in a variety of ways. Growing chives is also very simple. They have strong adaptability, tolerate both cold and heat, and basically need no management, which is why they are called the lazy person's vegetable. The notable effect of chives is tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang, so they are also called aphrodisiac grass. So then how do you grow chives on a balcony?
1. Choosing Pots and Soil
For the pot used to grow chives, you can choose a clay pot, ceramic pot, or plastic pot; it is best to use a flower pot that is light in texture and has good water permeability. If growing indoors, place a saucer underneath to prevent water from leaking out when watering and dirtying the floor. Chives do not have high requirements for soil quality, but fertile humus soil is more conducive to the growth of chives.
The potting soil in the container must have enough fertility to sustain the continuous growth of chives. You can mix garden soil, sandy soil, farmland soil, and fertilizer to make the potting soil. Lay a layer of broken tiles or coarse sand particles in the pot to keep the potting soil loose and breathable.
2. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Chives are a light-loving vegetable, so place them in a spot with sufficient light; a balcony is the first choice. During the seedling stage of chives, promote their growth, and in the later stage, control water appropriately. For watering, master “frequent light irrigation”, watering thoroughly once every 3 to 4 days. Weeding is also very important. Remove weeds in the plot in time, and apply additional fertilizer appropriately, topdressing 1-2 times with quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer.
When growing chives on a balcony, it is best to use new seeds from the current year when sowing. The planting time is from mid-April to early May, for sowing and raising seedlings. Note that the planting density of chives in the pot must not be too high. After planting, water in time so as to promote the survival of the seedlings.
3. Daily Management
After new leaves of the chives emerge, be careful to keep the soil moist, and according to whether the potting soil is dry or wet, water in time to help the seedlings recover. After autumn begins, the weather gradually becomes cooler, and this climate is even more suitable for the vigorous growth of chives. During this period, be careful to fully supply fertilizer and water.
4. Maturing and Harvesting
When harvesting chives, be very careful not to damage the roots; just cut to 1 cm below the soil. The harvest interval must be controlled and absolutely must not be less than 28 days, otherwise the chive seedlings will become thinner and thinner the more they are cut. After the chive seedlings are harvested, cover the flower pot tightly with plastic film. Wait until the wounds on the chives have healed before removing the plastic bag, and only after that can you water.
5. Pest and Disease Control
The main insect pests of chives include aphids, mites, as well as whiteflies and various green caterpillars. You can use cigarette butt soaking liquid to kill insects. Dip a writing brush and brush it onto the stems and leaves of the plants. If the effect is not obvious, you can use flower-specific aphid killers, acaricides, insecticides, and other pesticides for control.
The main diseases of chives are three kinds, namely viral disease, anthracnose, and soft rot. You can use warm water at 55°C to soak the seeds, and disinfect the soil with agents such as mancozeb and chlorothalonil, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of such diseases.
The above is a brief introduction to the method of growing chives on a balcony. Grow a pot of chives on your home balcony, and when you want to eat them, cut a batch. It is both eco-friendly and simple, much more convenient than going to the vegetable market. Everyone might as well give it a try at home.