Herb seed

hdan

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Thinking I overlooked a detail in planting chive seed.
From what I have read chives need darkness & 60-70° F to germinate.
My temp was ok, but had them under grow light with the rest of the herbs.
Im assuming that's why seeds did not germinated in 15 days.
Seed pack says germination in 15-21 days.
I just planted 12 more seeds.
I did cover seeds this time.
 

flowerbug

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Thinking I overlooked a detail in planting chive seed.
From what I have read chives need darkness & 60-70° F to germinate.
My temp was ok, but had them under grow light with the rest of the herbs.
Im assuming that's why seeds did not germinated in 15 days.
Seed pack says germination in 15-21 days.
I just planted 12 more seeds.
I did cover seeds this time.

it may take a bit longer. i wouldn't worry. :)
 

Dahlia

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Thinking I overlooked a detail in planting chive seed.
From what I have read chives need darkness & 60-70° F to germinate.
My temp was ok, but had them under grow light with the rest of the herbs.
Im assuming that's why seeds did not germinated in 15 days.
Seed pack says germination in 15-21 days.
I just planted 12 more seeds.
I did cover seeds this time.
My son and I planted some chives from seed last year and they came up about 1 cm and then they were all mowed down by giant slugs!
 

hdan

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Still waiting for chive seed to to germinate.
 

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digitS'

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Gardeners in some areas do not want chives in their yards because they are so invasive. I imagine that this is by reproducing from seed, not just spreading from existing plants.

My chives have never shown up in the lawngrass but, sometimes, they have in other areas of the garden from where they are wanted. New seedlings from allowing some to bloom are around every Spring.

Onion seed viability is poor by comparison to other vegetables. Illinois Ag Extension lists "approximate" time as 1 year. LINK. They don't have chives on that 2 page pdf file but other vegetables are listed as up to 5 years. That doesn't mean you won't have germination but there may be fewer viable seeds and they may take longer. I certainly notice a slower germination with 5+ year old tomato seed and try to have saved seeds used by that time.

Steve
 

ducks4you

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I think that tomato seeds last the longest. When I neglected the 35 yo tomato seeds, and they germinated in a closed milk jug and dried up, there were 7 that germinated. They dried up, btw. :hit
You are right @digitS' . The Illinois College of A.C.E.S. Extension offices are a Great source of information, and are available to everybody!
This is why I take stock in Mid American Gardener where many of the panelists are often Extension Office employees who are either graduates or Professor Emeritis ('s) and really know their stuff.
Still, your Local Extension Offices know your climate best and can recommend those vegetables to avoid bc they won't grow as well in You climate as they will in others.
Again, it comes back to different not Better soils and climates.
 

hdan

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Gardeners in some areas do not want chives in their yards because they are so invasive. I imagine that this is by reproducing from seed, not just spreading from existing plants.

My chives have never shown up in the lawngrass but, sometimes, they have in other areas of the garden from where they are wanted. New seedlings from allowing some to bloom are around every Spring.

Onion seed viability is poor by comparison to other vegetables. Illinois Ag Extension lists "approximate" time as 1 year. LINK. They don't have chives on that 2 page pdf file but other vegetables are listed as up to 5 years. That doesn't mean you won't have germination but there may be fewer viable seeds and they may take longer. I certainly notice a slower germination with 5+ year old tomato seed and try to have saved seeds used by that time.

Steve
Not really worried about the chive seeds not germinating. Don't really use chives that much. Surely don't want them taking over my property out of control.
The main reason I was going to put any out was to attract pollinators.
Didn't realize chives was so invasive. Not germinating could be a good thing. Chives will never make it to the outside garden.
 

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