Aquaponics: Chives

Any herbs is suitable to grow in a aquaponic system,  this method has a constant supply of nutrient to the plant and it is sustainable. The fish create the food for the plants (with their poop) and the plants through their root system clean the water for the fish .

"Aquaponics is the cultivation of fish and plants in a man made recirculating ecosystem where natural bacterial cycles convert the fish waste into plant nutrients."

 A month we bought some new seed to plant in our system from the internet retailer Johnny's Selected Seeds. One ounce of  chives called Purly (Allium schoenoprasum). Its cost was about 13 dollars plus shipping, but the also have available small packets. They have great quality seeds. 

This perennial plant forms attractive, grass like clumps that slowly increase in size. Chives have tubular leave and white flowers bloom from June to August.  Its leaves have Many culinary uses as: Give color to Salads, make great dressing oils a great addition in condiment mixes. The flowers can be use ass garnish.Life cycle:the herb is  perennial in zones 4 to 9 it takes 75 to 90 days to harvest. East easy to grow indoors by starting the seed in a flat. 

"The chive seeds are so small that is better to plant four to six seeds all together and then thin out when its time to transplant."

People usually opt to germinate their  seeds in a  seed container with separate units but in this case the packet instructions stated that  the best method for germinating chives seeds was to grow them in  flats and then thin out the seeds.

 I used under bed storage cart as a growing recipient. Just because it has a lid and I can water them today cover and forget, check them in a few days. to add water.  Advantages of germinating seeds with a lid  is that the evaporating water comes again to the media, preventing the media from drying quickly. 

"For the growing media have blended  in: 1 bag of vermiculite, 1/2 bag perlite and a bucket  of other organic material and added a few earth worms to the box  for aeration."

In our Aquaponic system we do not use soil on the floating rafters, that is why we have an alternative  growing media. Otherwise the dirt will come out of the net pot and clog the system pipes.

 "The seeds will germinate in about 7 days or less depending on your climate or the can be started indoor if you prefer"

After the Chives have reached a height of two inches it is time to transplant. So very careful with a knife;  separate the media making it as loose  as possible to remove the germinated seed from the flat. To plant it into the rafter media (expanded clay ). If you let the root grow too long the plant will suffer a lot of stress and develop slowly. That is my personal observation. 

Floating rafter

Chives will be ready to harvest in 75 to 90 days as the packet says, but been in the aquaponic system, the time for  harvesting will be cut in half.

We have to fill up  7 floating rafters in our 60 feet long water canal. So this is my first panel. The chives after a month of being transplanted measure approximately three and a half inches.

The aquaponic system permits to have your herbs  

and green leafy veggies harvesting time in half.  When harvesting your chives cut them a inch from the root for continuous growth.

Thanks for reading -TheVicentys