Chives seeds

I have collected seeds from chives blooms and would like to start them indoors. Do they need a cold period before I plant or can I plant them indoors right away?

Stratification is not always necessary though it increases germination rates of perennial seeds. I'm not sure about chives except that it will make for better germination if you chill them. If you're not in a hurry I'd say give them a couple of months in the fridge.

Thanks, I will. do they need full sun?

They tolerate some shade well. The drier and hotter the spot the less sun. Dry soil makes for tough, stringy chives.

good to know. Thanks

I've had alliums come up from seed on their own - no cold required. You might want to just make sure they dry first to finish ripening (just to be on the safe side).

-Rich

woodspirit, I have planted Chinese chives both ways indoors and out. In the fall I prepared a bed on the corner of my house with lots of composted cow manure. I scattered the seeds and I had collect from the purple flowers after they had completely dried and they came up nicely. For indoor winter chives I use those clear plastic tops from Costco's rotisserie chicken. I keep them trimmed at about four inches tall. Two of the plastic containers will fit inside on seed tray for easy bottom watering.

the ones I grew have a white bloom with a pinkish center, not the usual purple ones. I love the idea of using the rotisserie chicken container. I get them at a local grocery store, so I will do that. I wonder what kind mine are?
Later.........I looked them up and they are called garlic chives or Chinese chives among other names

This message was edited Sep 30, 2011 4:51 PM