Chives are usually rarely attacked by fungi or insect pests - it is usually even recommended to plant chives together with endangered flowers to avoid such an infestation. However, even with this actually resistant kitchen herb, an infestation cannot always be avoided, with weakened plants being particularly at risk.
Chives turn yellow
The most common health problem with chives is yellowing, dry leaves. Of course, these can no longer be used in the kitchen, and they multiply quickly. For this reason, you should take action as soon as possible at the first sign. In most cases, the chives turn yellow because they are too dry or because they are simply too hot. In this case, countermeasures are simple: water the plant more often and protect it from too much sunlight. Sometimes, however, the chives are too wet, so that the roots rot and can no longer supply the above-ground parts of the plant.
fungal diseases
Especially in damp and cool summers, the leaves of the chives are attacked by the rust fungus "Puccinia alli", the so-called chive rust. You can recognize an infestation by the small, round and rust-red spots on the leaf tubes. Cut the diseased plant just above the ground and water it with a diluted nettle decoction.
Aphids - the gardener's favorite enemy
Aphids, on the other hand, are very rarely found on chives. If so, then the unwanted animals infest potted chives in particular on the balcony or on the windowsill - these plants are usually not as robust as chives planted out, and in these cases the lice only have a limited supply of food and therefore colonize the chives out of sheer distress. Aphids are also best combated with nettle broth.
Make nettle stock
The production of stinging nettle stock - also known as stinging nettle manure - is very simple, but takes some time.
- Wear sturdy gardening gloves and long clothing.
- Pick about a kilogram of stinging nettles and chop them up.
- Put the nettles in a bucket.
- Pour about 10 liters of boiling water over them.
- Leave the brew for about two days.
- Strain the nettles.
tips and tricks
Do not treat chives (just like other kitchen herbs) with chemical agents, otherwise the herb can no longer be eaten. If in doubt, cut the stalks just above the ground - chives will quickly sprout again.
IJA