Chives are a popular herb to grow in home gardens thanks to their versatility in the kitchen and ease of care. But did you know you can also grow chives without soil using hydroponic systems?
Hydroponics offers several benefits over traditional in-ground gardening, including higher yields, faster growth, andreduced risk of disease. With a properly designed system, herbs like chives thrive in nutrient-rich water instead of soil.
In this comprehensive guide “Can I Grow Chives Hydroponically”, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully grow chives hydroponically, including:
Overview of Growing Chives Hydroponically
Hydroponics involves growing plants in water rather than soil. The roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich solution that provides all the minerals, nutrients, and water that soil would normally supply.
There are several types of hydroponic systems that can be used to grow chives:
- Deep Water Culture (DWC) – Plants are grown in buckets or reservoirs of water with air pumped in to oxygenate the roots.
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) – A shallow stream of nutrient solution runs through growing channels, with plant roots suspended directly in the flow.
- Drip system – Nutrient solution is dripped or misted over the root zone.
Chives grow well in all these systems. The steps to grow chives hydroponically are:
- Germinate chive seeds in starter plugs.
- Transfer seedlings to net pots filled with clay pellets or another growing medium.
- Suspend net pots in the hydroponic system.
- Keep nutrient solution aerated and topped up.
- Provide adequate lighting – chives need at least 12-16 hours under grow lights.
- Maintain optimal temperature of 60-70°F.
- Harvest chives by cutting above the root line as needed. Regrowth occurs quickly.
With the right system and conditions, you can harvest home-grown chives in as little as 5-6 weeks after germination. Hydroponic systems can yield up to 30-50% more chives compared to conventional gardening.
Tips for Growing Healthy Chives Hydroponically
To maximize growth rates and yields for hydroponically grown chives:
- Maintain a nutrient solution pH between 6.0-7.0 and EC level of 1.2-1.8 mS/cm.
- Use a specialty hydroponics nutrient that contains all essential macro and micronutrients. Popular options include:
- General Hydroponics FloraSeries
- Advanced Nutrients Hydroponics Line
- Botanicare Nutrients
- Provide constant aeration and oxygenation of the nutrient reservoir to prevent root rot.
- Grow chives under full spectrum LED grow lights that provide between 300-700 μmol/m2/s of light intensity.
- Keep water temperature between 65-70°F – chives grow best in cool conditions.
- Prune chives to just above the root line to encourage continual regrowth for multiple harvests.
Following these best practices will result in fast growing, high yielding chives with great flavor.
Recommended Hydroponic Systems and Equipment
When selecting a hydroponic system for chives, opt for setups that provide ample oxygenation and are easy to access for harvesting:
- Deep Water Culture – Simple and inexpensive. Use air stones connected to air pump to oxygenate the nutrient reservoir.
- Nutrient Film Technique – Allows you to closely monitor roots. Needs decent flow rate to prevent root drying.
- Drip Systems – Require a timer but less maintenance than NFT systems.
Equipment needed includes:
- Reservoir – 10-20 gallon totes or buckets work well.
- Growing medium – Use net pots and clay pellets or perlite.
- Water pump – Submersible pumps ensure adequate circulation.
- Air pump & tubing – Provide constant aeration.
- Grow lights – Full spectrum LEDs optimized for herbs.
- Timers – Automate lighting and nutrient pumps.
You can set up a small home hydroponic chive system for $50-150. Larger commercial systems cost $250+.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best propagation method for chives?
Start chive seeds in Oasis cube starter plugs or Rockwool. Transfer seedlings to net pots with clay pellets once roots are established.
How much spacing do chives need in a hydroponic system?
Space net pots filled with chives 6-8 inches apart. Plant density can be higher than soil gardens.
How do the yields compare to in-ground gardening?
Hydroponics can produce over double the yield per square foot since you can space plants closer together. Expect at least 1-2 ounces of chives per plant.
What nutrients do chives need?
Chives need lots of nitrogen and adequate phosphorus and potassium. Use a complete hydroponic fertilizer or a calcium-magnesium blend.
Can I grow chives year-round hydroponically?
Yes! With proper lighting and temperature control, you can grow chives indoors all year long.
Growing chives hydroponically unlocks huge potential for fast harvests of this popular herb. With the right system and care, anyone can cultivate bountiful crops of home-grown chives. The superior flavor and yields are well worth trying hydroponics!
Additional Tips for Growing Chives Hydroponically
While we’ve covered the basics, there are some additional tips to help your hydroponically grown chives thrive:
Pest Prevention and Control
Growing plants in water instead of soil helps limit many common garden pests. However, chives can still be affected by:
- Aphids – Use horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps to control. Ladybugs also feed on aphids.
- Thrips – Isolate and remove affected plants. Use sticky traps and predatory mites to control populations.
- Fungus gnats – Let soil dry out between waterings and use Bacillus thuringiensis treatments.
Maintain cleanliness in the hydroponic system and growing area to prevent pests and diseases. Monitor plants closely and act quickly if any issues arise.
Optimizing Light Exposure
Chives grow best with 12-16 hours of bright light daily. LED grow lights are ideal as they can provide full spectrum light optimized for herb growth.
When positioning grow lights, maintain 12-24 inches between the light and canopy. Track plant growth and adjust light height accordingly.
Supplement natural sunlight with grow lights as needed to ensure adequate intensity and duration of light exposure.
Harvesting Chives Continuously
- Snip chives 1-2 inches above the soil line to encourage regrowth.
- Avoid removing more than 30% of the plant at one time.
- Harvest leaves as needed once chives are at least 6 inches tall.
- Cutting chives stimulates new growth and continual harvests.
- Plan harvests in early morning for best flavor.
- Use scissors for clean cuts – pinching or tearing can damage plants.
With proper care and harvesting methods, each chive plant can provide multiple cuttings for months at a time.
