How many days does it take for chives to germinate?

Chives are relatively less susceptible to diseases and pests, so fewer pesticides are used during the planting process. They are very common in rural areas. Many farmers will plant some leeks in the yard in front of their homes or in the small vegetable garden on the back mountain and pick them as they eat. So how many days does it take for chives to germinate?

It usually takes about 10 to 20 days for chive seeds to germinate. The following are some factors that affect the germination time of chives and specific germination conditions:

1. Temperature conditions

The suitable temperature for leek seeds to germinate is 15-18℃, and the minimum temperature is 2-3℃. Temperatures above 20℃ are not conducive to germination.

2. Seed treatment

Since leek seeds have a hard texture and poor ability to absorb water, they usually need to be soaked in warm water first to promote germination. You can soak the seeds in warm water at about 40℃ for 12 hours, then take them out, wash them and dry them in the sun, then put them in a wet cloth, and they will germinate in about 5 days.

3. Sowing time

Chives are suitable for sowing in spring from March to May, when the temperature is suitable for seed germination.

4. Soil moisture

During the germination process of leek, the soil moisture must be sufficient, and the soil should be covered thinly after sowing, generally 1 to 1.5 cm, to prevent the surface from becoming compacted and hindering germination.

5. Germination and emergence ability

Chives have a weak ability to emerge from the soil, so during the germination process, if the ground has become compacted, you should water it frequently and keep the covering soil moist to help the chive sprouts emerge from the ground.

6. Germination method

4-5 days before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at about 30℃ for 24 hours, then wash them with cold water, take them out, wrap them with clean gauze, and germinate them at a temperature of 15-20℃. During the germination period, wash with clean water 1-2 times a day, and sprouts will appear in 3-5 days.

To sum up, the germination time of leek seeds is generally about 10 to 20 days, but this time may vary due to specific environmental conditions and different management methods of farmers.