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Do chives consist of more than one plant

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  • #1

    Do chives consist of more than one plant

    I was wondering recently - when you have chives in your garden the plants appear to consist of many different spring onion-esque 'stems', all bunched up together.

    Are these 'stems' separate plants bunched up together, or a single plant? Is there any reason they are in such close proximity?

    Thanks for any help!
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  • #2
    Chives are like mini onions which we grow for the leaves rather than the bulbs. I have just split a up a congested pot of chives and yes the leaves are attached to separate plants. I guess we grow them in a clump as they are happy to grow like that and you'd need quite so bit of space to get enough to cut.

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    • #3
      They also spread quite readily so unless you want them colonizing the entire plot I'd constrain them in a pot or something.

      I split off a small clump every autumn and bring them into the greenhouse to get an extra early crop the following year.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Inastate View Post
        Are these 'stems' separate plants bunched up together, or a single plant? Is there any reason they are in such close proximity?
        Yes, each is a separate bulb . . . I've had a bit of trouble trying to grow them from seed . . . low germination rates and slow growth, after a few sowings I've almost got enough but it's been an unexpected struggle.
        My allotment in pictures

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        • #5
          I had a pot of chives that went through 3 winters before popping its socks.
          photo album of my garden in my profile http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...my+garden.html

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          • #6
            I've got some chives growing in a shallow stone sink in around an inch of compost/soil/pebble mix and they do far better than those grow anywhere else in the garden.
            Location....East Midlands.

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            • #7
              Not sure how correct it is but I think of chives as perennial "bunching" onions.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by RaptorUK View Post
                Yes, each is a separate bulb . . . I've had a bit of trouble trying to grow them from seed . . . low germination rates and slow growth, after a few sowings I've almost got enough but it's been an unexpected struggle.
                Maybe try them indoors in a warm windowsill, with fresh seed after they flower. Then transplant them to the growing spot you want them in. Mine self seed outside but not prolifically, as it's part shade and the soil is a bit heavy.
                Last edited by elleme; 07-05-2014, 11:46 AM.

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                • #9
                  Top of my Mums garden where I grow her some vegetables has it pop up all over the place every year I cant get rid of it, well I never tried hard as it is useful occasionally.
                  My new Blog.

                  http://jamesandthegiantbeetroot.blogspot.com

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                  • #10
                    Bren I have similar and I don't remember ever planting them. I've also got 'proper' chive plants in my veg patch, which have wonderful big fat buds on them, and I can see young clumps growing up from last year's self-seeding. My children love them and I use great handfuls of them in cooking and salads so I'm happy for them to go as mad as they like.
                    Is there anything that isn't made better by half an hour pottering in the veg patch?

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