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OK, evidently I am really needy this eve. ? about BASIL
- Thread starter denice
- Start date
michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
Yes. Basil is a mediterranean plant that needs full sun and not too much water.
hallie-in-fla
Well-known member
Last summer I brought my potted basil inside - the Florida summer heat n humidity was just too
much. There was a post on the old Gail's. Several people were having a tough time last summer with their herbs. I brought my potted basil inside and it has done so well in a sunny window. I usually let mine dry out between waterings. Although if I wait even a day too long, it really starts to look limp. I also fertilize it every few months. Sometimes I think you just get a good plant that is prolific and happy, and other times I feel like I've gotten a dud.
If you don't have super hot summers, go ahead and plant it outside.
much. There was a post on the old Gail's. Several people were having a tough time last summer with their herbs. I brought my potted basil inside and it has done so well in a sunny window. I usually let mine dry out between waterings. Although if I wait even a day too long, it really starts to look limp. I also fertilize it every few months. Sometimes I think you just get a good plant that is prolific and happy, and other times I feel like I've gotten a dud.
If you don't have super hot summers, go ahead and plant it outside.
music-city-missy
Well-known member
Did you buy the small pots at the grocery store???
Since we live in the same area, I will tell you I have purchased the ones at Publix on several occassions and now just do so because they are more economical than the packages - dont' know how they grow them but I think something about the ways it's done, they won't survive.
I have grown basil with no problems before and I have tried several - repotted them into bigger pots, planted them in the ground and still no success. I think they force them and get them so talk in that little pot that they are just doomed from the start.
Since we live in the same area, I will tell you I have purchased the ones at Publix on several occassions and now just do so because they are more economical than the packages - dont' know how they grow them but I think something about the ways it's done, they won't survive.
I have grown basil with no problems before and I have tried several - repotted them into bigger pots, planted them in the ground and still no success. I think they force them and get them so talk in that little pot that they are just doomed from the start.
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Good advice rvb, also
if the plants have been coaxed to mature rapidly with minimal root development, another option is to trim the plant back quite severely to a point that the small root system can sustain the reduced plant size while it stabilizes itself and grows roots.
if the plants have been coaxed to mature rapidly with minimal root development, another option is to trim the plant back quite severely to a point that the small root system can sustain the reduced plant size while it stabilizes itself and grows roots.
Yes from Publix. They do seem doomed!
I put 2 in one big pot and it is beautiful and fragrant. They are rooted but like Missy said, they probably begin life in a bad way! Me favorite basil garden is in SF overlooking the Montery Bay at a friend's house. Before I was there I never knew how many different kinds of basil there are! Some day...
I put 2 in one big pot and it is beautiful and fragrant. They are rooted but like Missy said, they probably begin life in a bad way! Me favorite basil garden is in SF overlooking the Montery Bay at a friend's house. Before I was there I never knew how many different kinds of basil there are! Some day...
music-city-missy
Well-known member
Roots yes, cutting back sounds like the last option....
that I haven't tried. I was using it sparingly trying to keep the plants alive each time.
The ones I bought from a garden center and had in that spot until the deer (or rabbits) mowed them down, did just great so I know the spot is good. This time they weren't even mowed down - just yellow, wilted and then brown.
that I haven't tried. I was using it sparingly trying to keep the plants alive each time.
The ones I bought from a garden center and had in that spot until the deer (or rabbits) mowed them down, did just great so I know the spot is good. This time they weren't even mowed down - just yellow, wilted and then brown.
I don't know if this applies, but nurseries often grow basil by putting a big pinch of seeds in one
little pot. They sprout and form a tuft like a Chia pet. It's adorable and people buy it, but because it's dozens of seedlings all trying to occupy the same space, the little plants are doomed.
Individual seedings that you find in 6-packs are scraggly and don't look like much, but they're the way to go. Or buy seeds and sow them yourself.
little pot. They sprout and form a tuft like a Chia pet. It's adorable and people buy it, but because it's dozens of seedlings all trying to occupy the same space, the little plants are doomed.
Individual seedings that you find in 6-packs are scraggly and don't look like much, but they're the way to go. Or buy seeds and sow them yourself.
When the basil in my backyard starts getting leggy, I pinch off the purple flowers and...
about 1/3 of the length of the plant, and it comes back bushier than ever. If it were me, I'd move yours outside. But I don't know your particular circumstances, and if that's what you want to do. Never grew any herbs inside, myself.
I don't know if it will winter over where you are (down south?), but in NYS, outside, it's the first victim of the first frost ;o) Turns black immediately.
I never water mine, let the rain take care of it. I do know it likes a lot of sun, and I suppose if we had a real hot spell and it started looking droopy, I'd probably water it a little bit once a week or so.
Hope that helps.
about 1/3 of the length of the plant, and it comes back bushier than ever. If it were me, I'd move yours outside. But I don't know your particular circumstances, and if that's what you want to do. Never grew any herbs inside, myself.
I don't know if it will winter over where you are (down south?), but in NYS, outside, it's the first victim of the first frost ;o) Turns black immediately.
I never water mine, let the rain take care of it. I do know it likes a lot of sun, and I suppose if we had a real hot spell and it started looking droopy, I'd probably water it a little bit once a week or so.
Hope that helps.
Living in Ottawa, Canada where we have severe winters basil does not survive the first frost........
In September I bring potted basil into the house and put it in a sunny window. We enjoy fresh basil all winter long. I also bring in my potted rosemary. There's nothing nicer than a little fresh herbs sprinkled on a steaming bowl of soup.
In September I bring potted basil into the house and put it in a sunny window. We enjoy fresh basil all winter long. I also bring in my potted rosemary. There's nothing nicer than a little fresh herbs sprinkled on a steaming bowl of soup.