Basil

[ChocClare]

Ooh, thanks valmarg, I was just about to post to see if cuttings from basil were ever worth trying and you've answered my question. Off to do it now now now!

[Two_Sheds]

Watch out for greenfly on your basil, too. They are virtually invisible, being the same colour as the plant, but will suck the life out of it.

[jennybain]

Yeah, whats the deal with basil!? Is it because it's from tropic climates... that it just gets manky in England?

1. yes... no one can keep supermarket basil (or any herb for that matter)- evil crafty tescos!

2. i grew 5 basil plants from seed- they germinated and i replanted them in their own pots. two i kept in the kitchen, one outside, and two in the greenhouse to see which would work best... and they ALL died!! Do you think I will have better luck buying a fully grown plant and keeping it inside/the greenhouse?

I have been growing basil from seed and keeping it in an unheated greenhouse with great success. Water only when dry and I find they don't like to get too hot so shading is essential to avoid scorching.

[Two_Sheds]

they don't like to get too hot so shading is essential to avoid scorching.

Come on! When does it ever get scorching in Scotland?

[Michelle]

My purple/red basil looks great but my 'normal' basil is tall and leggy - shall I cut the top off?

I've got two plants per pot on my windowsill - one pot of each. The leaves are lovely and big and healthy, it's just a bit tall and straight rather than nice and bushy.

[Waffler]

Basil is one thing I'm actually doing ok with this season! I have 2 pots of very productive basil and another 2 pots of up and coming seedlings ( a mix of sweet, purple and lime); they're in the greenhouse.
Question: I've got tom plants in the g/h border, so should I direct sow some basil in front of them (the compost is very rough) or bung some small plants in that I've brought on from seed in pots? My aim is to have enough basil for pesto because I love it!

[smallblueplanet]

Question: I've got tom plants in the g/h border, so should I direct sow some basil in front of them (the compost is very rough) or bung some small plants in that I've brought on from seed in pots?

We've done both, but basil isn't always happy being transplanted. If you sow direct into the g/h border a good way to mark the area is use a plastic mushroom container with the bottom cut out.

[MrsC]

If you buy a pot of supermarket basil, when you get it home, cut out the tops (more than just the tips) and place in a bowl of water. The taking out of the tops of the plants will encourage them to bush out. The tops of the plants will readily root, and you can pot them up.

Repeat the process throughout the Summer. Trust me, it works. You only ever need to buy one pot of basil from the supermarket, and with the above process you can have basil all Summer. Much easier than trying to grow from seed.

valmarg

got to agree what valmarg says does work. i've been doing this since valmarg told me over a year ago and it works

[theothermarg]

just discovered a few leaves of basil with boiling water poured on them makes a lovely drink1 it seems it is very good for bloating ( to cure it not to cause it))
it,s the firse year I have grown it and have gone mad with 8 different kinds in my cold greenhouse
marg

[valmarg]

got to agree what valmarg says does work. i've been doing this since valmarg told me over a year ago and it works

Thanks mrsc2b, I wish I could take all the credit, but it was from an Aussie Women's Weekly cookbook that I got the tip.

valmarg

[dan1979]

I'm surprised to see someone saying basil doesn't like it too hot.

Mine has been growing really well inside a plastic bottle cloche inside a mini-greenhouse which has hit temps at 40 degrees plus.

When I've had it cooler it did nothing.