The best way to grow chives on the balcony

The nutritional value of leeks is particularly high and they taste good. Leeks occupy a dominant position in traditional Chinese cuisine. For example, leek dumplings, leek boxes, and leek scrambled eggs are not only delicious but also nutritious and contain a lot of dietary fiber. In fact, leeks are not only delicious, but also easy to grow. They can be grown on the balcony. Here we talk about the best way to grow leeks on the balcony.

1. Variety selection

There are several varieties of chives, including broad-leaved and narrow-leaved. Broadleaf leeks grow quickly but have a lighter flavor; narrowleaf leeks have a stronger flavor but grow relatively slowly. Choose the appropriate variety according to personal taste and balcony environment. At the same time, it is best to choose varieties with strong growth potential, such as 791 leek, Jiubao F1, Pingjiu No. 5, etc.

2. Container and Soil Preparation

Container selection: The containers for growing leeks can be clay pots, ceramic pots, plastic pots, etc., but pots with good appearance, light texture, water permeability and good air permeability are preferred. The diameter of the flowerpot should be more than 20 cm, the height should be moderate, and there should be seepage holes at the bottom to facilitate drainage. When planting on an indoor balcony, a saucer should be placed under the flowerpot to prevent water from seeping out during watering and affecting the hygiene of the balcony.

Soil preparation: Leeks require well-drained soil rich in organic matter. The general ratio of culture soil can be 3 parts of decomposed leaves, 2 parts of decomposed animal and poultry manure or bone meal, and 5 parts of high-quality farmland soil, or a mixture of 5 parts of decomposed farmyard manure, 3 parts of garden soil and 2 parts of sandy soil. When putting the plants into the pot, cover the hole at the bottom of the pot with 1 to 2 pieces of broken tiles, add a little coarse sand, and then fill it with nutrient soil to 2 to 3 cm from the edge of the pot.

3. Seeding or transplanting

Sowing: Chives can be planted on the balcony in spring, summer and autumn. Before sowing, first water the bottom of the flowerpot sufficiently, sow the seeds after the water seeps down, and then cover with 1 cm thick nutrient soil. After sowing, keep the surface of the potting soil moist but not hardened. After the seedlings emerge, water them appropriately according to the conditions of the potting soil. It is best to use new seeds from the previous year for sowing and seedling raising . It is more appropriate to sow and seedling raising from mid-April to early May.

Transplanting: You can also buy leek roots directly from the market for transplanting. When transplanting, trim the withered, aged, and incapable parts of the leek roots, and then transplant them in clumps of three or five roots, keeping a certain distance between each clump. After planting in the flowerpot, cover it with soil to a thickness of 3 to 5 cm and water it in time.

IV. Daily Management

Watering: The soil of chives needs to be kept moist during growth, but avoid waterlogging. Water at the right time according to the dryness and wetness of the soil, and follow the principle of "frequent watering and shallow irrigation".

Fertilization: Chives like fertilizer and need to be fertilized regularly during the growth period. You can apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizers, such as sesame cake, bean cake and other decomposed liquid fertilizers. The weather becomes cooler in autumn, which is the vigorous growth period of leeks, so they need to be adequately supplied with fertilizer and water.

Light and temperature: Chives prefer an environment with sufficient light. When planting on the balcony, you should try to let the chives receive more sunlight. Chives can only grow normally at temperatures above minus 5 degrees Celsius. They will enter a dormant period below this temperature.

Weeding and loosening the soil: Remove weeds in time and keep the soil in the pot loose and breathable to facilitate the growth of chives.

5. Pest and disease control

Common pests of leeks include aphids, mites, whiteflies and various types of green caterpillars. Biological control methods can be used, such as spraying plants with extract from cigarette butts. If the effect is not obvious, you can use flower-specific aphidicides, miticides , insecticides and other pesticides for prevention and control. At the same time, keep the balcony well ventilated to reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests.

To sum up, the best way to grow leeks on the balcony includes choosing the right variety, preparing suitable containers and soil, reasonable sowing or transplanting, careful daily management, and timely prevention and control of diseases and pests. By following these steps, you can successfully grow healthy and delicious chives on your balcony.