Chives are actually a very robust herb - the plant is rarely attacked by pests or fungal diseases, and it also forgives mistakes in care quite quickly. With one exception: the chives don't do well in extreme heat and drought, which is indicated by the yellowing of their leaves. But don't worry: withered chives can be saved.
Drought leads to withering
Dry damage is initially shown by isolated yellow stalks, which, however, multiply quickly and also become brown and dry. Of course, chives that have dried out in this way can no longer be used in the kitchen, as they have lost their intense aroma and characteristic juicy firmness. Yellow leaves usually appear during hot summer periods and when chive plants in pots in particular have not been adequately watered. Chives are among the herbs that need a lot of water - chives are all the thirstier the warmer it is and the sunnier the location - and should therefore be watered regularly. Potting soil is best always moist, but not wet. Under no circumstances should chives dry out.
Saving wilted chives
Fortunately, dried chives, unlike other plants, can be saved with a fairly simple measure: a radical pruning. Cut not only the withered leaves, but the whole plant to about two centimeters above the ground. The still green stalks can be frozen or otherwise preserved. The cut chives will sprout again within a few weeks, so that you can harvest again in four to six weeks at the latest.
Strengthen chives with fertilizer
In addition, you can use fertilizer to strengthen the plant, which has been severely weakened by the drought, and thus stimulate its growth. Use a liquid herb or vegetable fertilizer (7.49€) if possible on a biological basis, and enrich the irrigation water with the additional nutrients. Liquid fertilizer reaches the roots faster and therefore takes effect faster.
tips and tricks
In some cases, it is not drought that is to blame for the yellowing of the chive leaves, but quite the opposite, too much water. Waterlogging promotes the colonization of fungi, which in turn cause root rot. As a result, the plant can no longer adequately supply its above-ground parts and dries up. In the event of waterlogging, the only thing that helps is to immediately transfer the plant to fresh substrate.
IJA