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Post by Wheelgarden on Jul 28, 2022 17:09:18 GMT -5
The basils are thriving, and becoming habit-forming:
Dear Abby, I'm growing three basils --- Genovese, Thai, and Blue Spice. I find their scent intoxicating, and I huff them in the garden, cook with them, and keep fresh cuttings on my desk. Should I seek help, or plant more? --- Signed, Wheelgarden.
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Post by madamezil on Jul 28, 2022 17:32:05 GMT -5
Dear Wheelgarden --Definitely plant more. I have at least three pots going through the Winter. All the better to make Sticky Basil Chicken with my dear. Signed, madamezil.
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Basil
Jan 10, 2023 16:39:22 GMT -5
Post by emily79 on Jan 10, 2023 16:39:22 GMT -5
Is it best to grow basil indoors or outdoors? I can't seem to do either successfully but it seems to thrive a little longer inside. Is basil affected by high heat? Or is it more to do with the soil differences?
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Basil
Jan 10, 2023 17:11:52 GMT -5
Post by breezygardener on Jan 10, 2023 17:11:52 GMT -5
Is it best to grow basil indoors or outdoors? I find they do well both indoors & out. In fact, I nearly always have a pot of basil on the kitchen windowsill because, in the long run, it's a LOT cheaper than buying a pricey little plastic clamshell of sprigs that's going to be brown in a week or so.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jan 10, 2023 18:32:31 GMT -5
emily79 Basil does very well indoors, and it's been my experience that basil is more affected by cold temps than high heat - one of the first plants to start getting black spots, when it's in the mid to low 40s. I grow it in my hydroponics, in the off-season, and is actually grown indoors longer than outside! It's a good idea to find some varieties that are around 12" or less, instead of the really large varieties, when growing indoows. Dolce Fresca is a commonly available variety like this, and Burpee has a Serrated leaf variety that is a fantastic variety, that I always use, indoors and out. Here's a photo, showing how bushy that variety gets, w/o getting too tall. Serrata basil 11-13 by pepperhead212, on Flickr
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Post by gianna on May 13, 2023 13:42:56 GMT -5
After making the first yummy pesto of the season.... I. WANT. MORE. ...NOW.
But that's not possible. My little plants, just harvested, are still small. I've also had a few damaging snail incursions. They are in 4 inch pots in the sun, and just now I divided the few that were multiples into their own pots, and watered with a weak fert solution. There are now 15 basil pots. I've also just set up a wire 'cage' with nylon netting covering it as a snail deterrent.
They are now in an optimal situation for growth. I've got pine nuts, and the processor is plugged in...
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Post by pepperhead212 on May 13, 2023 17:40:51 GMT -5
I'm getting ready to plant my basil seedlings - some Dolce Fresca, which is a genovese type, but doesn't get too large; some of that serrata type, that is bushy, and doesn't get too tall, and doesn't bolt soon; some Siam queen, which is the anise flavored Thai basil, and short, with purple flowers; some mammolo, which is another bushy type, that was slow bolting; and a new one to me, Mrihani, which is barely germinating, while the others have at least one set of true leaves, and the sections are filled with seedlings. Would have done this today, but for the rain. Definitely do that tomorrow.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Aug 6, 2023 11:29:06 GMT -5
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Basil
Aug 6, 2023 14:19:27 GMT -5
Post by gianna on Aug 6, 2023 14:19:27 GMT -5
It's time to plant some new seeds. The first basil is in bloom now, and I want to save some fresh seed from it instead of harsh pruning to try to rejuvenate it. It's a Genovese type - nothing special, but it's serviceable. This year I've only used it for traditional pesto.
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Basil
Aug 6, 2023 15:46:37 GMT -5
Post by breezygardener on Aug 6, 2023 15:46:37 GMT -5
It's time to plant some new seeds. If you have a sunny windowsill, you can also sow some in a small pot to grow over the colder months. Using your own seed is a lot cheaper than paying $3+ for a supermarket pot of it - although I've bought those supermarket pots in the past & can usually keep the pot going well enough for me to use it for around 4 months or so.
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Basil
Aug 6, 2023 19:30:56 GMT -5
Post by gianna on Aug 6, 2023 19:30:56 GMT -5
I've bought those supermarket pots in the past & can usually keep the pot going well enough for me to use it for around 4 months or so. Years ago I had one of those lush pots of basil from Trader Joe's. It lasted a very long time sitting on a table top near a window. I don't think it got sun, but the light was good. It survived really well, until 'someone' forgot to water it. I prefer to grow it outside though, so I can water it with the hose while watering other things. I don't usually grow it over the winter. Maybe I should try since we never get frost, and I could always bring it inside.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Aug 6, 2023 19:37:25 GMT -5
As long as you don't have more than one variety of basil, or nearby neighbors with basils, the seeds are easy to save. However, it does cross easily.
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Basil
Aug 6, 2023 20:35:35 GMT -5
Post by Wheelgarden on Aug 6, 2023 20:35:35 GMT -5
I somehow wasn't aware of that. Learn something every day. Thanks, pepperhead212.
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