Thread: Anyone know how to keep a basil plant going?

Kalmia wrote:
> I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
> is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
> it producing too. TIA


Just keep pinching it back, and don't let it freeze. Even a light frost
will kill it.

Bob

On Jul 5, 7:59*pm, zxcvbob <zxcv...@charter.net> wrote:
> Kalmia wrote:
> > I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
> > is for basil. *I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
> > it producing too. *TIA
>
> Just keep pinching it back, and don't let it freeze. *Even a light frost
> will kill it.
>
> Bob

It's in a windowsill pot. Do I pinch from the top, bottom, .....where?

On Jul 5, 4:54*pm, Kalmia <tweeny90...@mypacks.net> wrote:
> I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
> is for basil. *I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
> it producing too. *TIA

Like said, keep pinching it. Mine always bolts here, so I am not a lot
of help! I have oregano or marjoram all over the place- the previous
owner must have planted some somewhere, but it's like a weed, along
with the lemon balm.

On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
>is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
>it producing too. TIA

Do not let it go to flower. Pinch off any flower buds and it'll last
much, much longer. In fact, when you want leaves, lop off the top of
the biggest stem. It should send out side shoots in response. That
too, will make it last longer.

It'll do better outdoors if you can keep it there, too.

By the way, standard basil grows like a weed, so if you have any room
in the garden at all, or a 6" or greater flower pot, toss in some
seeds and stand back.

I have 4-5 different basils growing out there right now.

Boron

On Jul 5, 8:14*pm, Boron Elgar <boron_el...@hootmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
>
> <tweeny90...@mypacks.net> wrote:
> >I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
> >is for basil. *I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
> >it producing too. *TIA
>
> Do not let it go to flower. Pinch off any flower buds and it'll last
> much, much longer. In fact, when you want leaves, lop off the top of
> the biggest stem. It should send out side shoots in response. That
> too, will make it last longer.
>
> It'll do better outdoors if you can keep it there, too.
>
> By the way, standard basil grows like a weed, so if you have any room
> in the garden at all, or a 6" or greater flower pot, toss in some
> seeds and stand back.
>
> I have 4-5 different basils growing out there right now.
>
> Boron

Green with envy. Does is like sun, partial or what?

On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 17:18:45 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Jul 5, 8:14*pm, Boron Elgar <boron_el...@hootmail.com> wrote:
>> On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
>>
>> <tweeny90...@mypacks.net> wrote:
>> >I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
>> >is for basil. *I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
>> >it producing too. *TIA
>>
>> Do not let it go to flower. Pinch off any flower buds and it'll last
>> much, much longer. In fact, when you want leaves, lop off the top of
>> the biggest stem. It should send out side shoots in response. That
>> too, will make it last longer.
>>
>> It'll do better outdoors if you can keep it there, too.
>>
>> By the way, standard basil grows like a weed, so if you have any room
>> in the garden at all, or a 6" or greater flower pot, toss in some
>> seeds and stand back.
>>
>> I have 4-5 different basils growing out there right now.
>>
>> Boron
>
>Green with envy. Does is like sun, partial or what?

As much sun as you can give it. Keep it damp, but not wet.

Boron

On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
> is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
> it producing too. TIA

I dunno. I think you need to have the right plant karma. I was given
a basil plant from Trader Joe's last year that I kept going until I
went on vacation and then it died at the plant sitter's. I bought a
pot of parsley a few weeks ago and it started getting leggy & brown
immediately - under the same light and heat conditions the basil did
well in (my kitchen window). So, I'm as clueless as you are. My
advice is to get a violet.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
>is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
>it producing too. TIA

Basil is shallow rooted, so never let it get dry. Pinching it back is
probably a bad example. You need to cut useable stems from the plant.
in the beginning you cut the main stem just above where you see leaf
nodes on the stem. The leaf nodes will produce additional stems.
Continue cutting the plant just above the leaf nodes to keep the plant
branching out. Definitely cut the plant back before it goes to
flower. Basil likes sun and warm earth. You can keep your cutting
fresh until use by putting them in a glass of water just as you would
cut flowers. The same rules apply here -- do not fill the water so
that leaves are under water. Change the water every several days.
Soon you may see that some of the stems have roots. You can allow
these roots to develop and plant the stem. Keep the newly planted
stem out of the sun for a few days to harden off. Basil is an annual
plant and as such has a limited life -- you cannot make it last
forever. Your rooted stems will have the same life as the main plant
that you took them from. You may be able to keep the plant going to
mid winter. Good Luck
Janet US

On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
>is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
>it producing too. TIA

All my basil died this year! :-( Except for two plants:

https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos...65819040_n.jpg

I think it's Christmas Basil.

I had Italian Large Leaf and several other kinds and this is all that
survived. I have no idea why.

John Kuthe...

On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 17:00:51 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Jul 5, 7:59*pm, zxcvbob <zxcv...@charter.net> wrote:
>> Kalmia wrote:
>> > I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
>> > is for basil. *I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
>> > it producing too. *TIA
>>
>> Just keep pinching it back, and don't let it freeze. *Even a light frost
>> will kill it.
>>
>> Bob
>
>It's in a windowsill pot. Do I pinch from the top, bottom, .....where?

From the juicy new leaf tops! The basil plant will replace these. If
you minch from the botton the basil plant will not replace bottom
leaves.

John Kuthe...

"Kalmia" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
>I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
> is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
> it producing too. TIA

Lots of sun, warmth and water. Clip the flowering buds or the leaves tend
to go bitter.

Paul

On Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:23:07 -0700, sf <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
>> is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
>> it producing too. TIA
>
>I dunno. I think you need to have the right plant karma. I was given
>a basil plant from Trader Joe's last year that I kept going until I
>went on vacation and then it died at the plant sitter's. I bought a
>pot of parsley a few weeks ago and it started getting leggy & brown
>immediately - under the same light and heat conditions the basil did
>well in (my kitchen window). So, I'm as clueless as you are. My
>advice is to get a violet.

Parsley likes a little bit of shade during the day from the intense
sun. It doesn't have to be complete shade. I put it with other
plants or another pot nearby so that it get some dappled shade during
the brightest, hottest part of the day.
Janet US

On Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:32:30 -0500, John Kuthe <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
>>is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
>>it producing too. TIA
>
>All my basil died this year! :-( Except for two plants:
>
>https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos...65819040_n.jpg
>
>I think it's Christmas Basil.
>
>I had Italian Large Leaf and several other kinds and this is all that
>survived. I have no idea why.
>
>John Kuthe...
If you had a lengthy cool, gray spring, basil will not do well at
all. It needs bright sun and warmth to do well.
Janet US

Kalmia <[email protected]> wrote:
> I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the technique
> is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but want to keep
> it producing too. TIA

How do you keep parsley producing? I'm presuming you mean you have had some
success with keeping it from bolting.

I pinch off basil flowers below the first pair of leaves under the flowers.
However the newer leaves will not grow very large once I start pinching them
back.

MartyB

Boron Elgar <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 17:18:45 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Jul 5, 8:14 pm, Boron Elgar <boron_el...@hootmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
>>>
>>> <tweeny90...@mypacks.net> wrote:
>>>> I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the
>>>> technique is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but
>>>> want to keep it producing too. TIA
>>>
>>> Do not let it go to flower. Pinch off any flower buds and it'll last
>>> much, much longer. In fact, when you want leaves, lop off the top of
>>> the biggest stem. It should send out side shoots in response. That
>>> too, will make it last longer.
>>>
>>> It'll do better outdoors if you can keep it there, too.
>>>
>>> By the way, standard basil grows like a weed, so if you have any
>>> room in the garden at all, or a 6" or greater flower pot, toss in
>>> some seeds and stand back.
>>>
>>> I have 4-5 different basils growing out there right now.
>>>
>>> Boron
>>
>> Green with envy. Does is like sun, partial or what?
>
> As much sun as you can give it. Keep it damp, but not wet.
>
> Boron

Well, not totally as much sun as possible. With the scorching sun here
lately, I've been getting damaged leaves on my two kinds of basil. The
younger leaves are ok but the older ones are yellowing. I've rarely seen it
so hot that the basil didn't like it.

MartyB

Janet Bostwick <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:23:07 -0700, sf <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 5 Jul 2012 16:54:11 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> I have had parsley producing for months, but wonder what the
>>> technique is for basil. I bought a full plant in supermkt tda, but
>>> want to keep it producing too. TIA
>>
>> I dunno. I think you need to have the right plant karma. I was
>> given a basil plant from Trader Joe's last year that I kept going
>> until I went on vacation and then it died at the plant sitter's. I
>> bought a pot of parsley a few weeks ago and it started getting leggy
>> & brown immediately - under the same light and heat conditions the
>> basil did well in (my kitchen window). So, I'm as clueless as you
>> are. My advice is to get a violet.
>
> Parsley likes a little bit of shade during the day from the intense
> sun. It doesn't have to be complete shade. I put it with other
> plants or another pot nearby so that it get some dappled shade during
> the brightest, hottest part of the day.
> Janet US

Also, parsley bedding plants are a waste of money. Generally they are older
than they look, like most greenhouse raised bedding plants. When they get
set out, they bolt almost immediately with the first warm days. Some
varieties are more resistant to bolting but for best results, plant parsley,
and cilantro, directly from seed.

MartyB

John Kuthe wrote:
>
> From the juicy new leaf tops! The basil plant will replace these. If
> you minch from the botton the basil plant will not replace bottom
> leaves.

Yes, cut the top stem off just above a pair of leaves. If you remove the
bottom you get a tall empty stem with a few leaves on top and then it dies.


--

Reply in group, but if emailing add one more
zero, and remove the last word.

"Nunya Bidnits" <[email protected]> wrote:

-snip-
>
>Also, parsley bedding plants are a waste of money. Generally they are older
>than they look, like most greenhouse raised bedding plants. When they get
>set out, they bolt almost immediately with the first warm days. Some
>varieties are more resistant to bolting but for best results, plant parsley,
>and cilantro, directly from seed.

I didn't think we lived that far apart-- but I've never seen a parsley
bolt-- and if I plant parsley seed, it is in March- in my basement.

Note to OP-- YMMV depending on local conditions. [I'm in a warm Zone
5-6 in NY on fairly sandy loam.]

Jim

On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:41:03 -0400, Jim Elbrecht <[email protected]>
wrote:

>"Nunya Bidnits" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>-snip-
>>
>>Also, parsley bedding plants are a waste of money. Generally they are older
>>than they look, like most greenhouse raised bedding plants. When they get
>>set out, they bolt almost immediately with the first warm days. Some
>>varieties are more resistant to bolting but for best results, plant parsley,
>>and cilantro, directly from seed.
>
>I didn't think we lived that far apart-- but I've never seen a parsley
>bolt-- and if I plant parsley seed, it is in March- in my basement.
>
>Note to OP-- YMMV depending on local conditions. [I'm in a warm Zone
>5-6 in NY on fairly sandy loam.]
>
>Jim
I've had that bolting experience with parsley plant that I have
purchased. If I grow it from seed it never bolts.
Janet US