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Basil from seed

Posted by jgourlay Houston West (My Page) on
Wed, Apr 15, 09 at 6:12

Basil is giving me fits! I set out a large quantity of seed in a sunny spot with good soil, good drainage. I got a large quantity of sprouts. This was in Feb/March that they sprouted.

Then the sprouts, w/their two little leaves, stared at me for a few weeks showing no growth at all. Now, most have died and the ones that didn't are yellowish and still not getting further leaves.

What could I be missing?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Basil from seed

I would think you started a little early. I haven't started any so far this year unless I use pots to transplant later. Make sure you let one plant go to seed as they will do much better than any you may buy, plus you will have way too many for your own use next year.
Paul


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So...is now a good time?

So is now a good time to seed them?


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RE: Basil from seed

Works for me, I hope you save seeds from one plant this year as your seeds are so much better than any you find from the seed companies. I always get so much better results from seeds saved for basil. I never bother to remove the seeds from their coatings. My basil is just starting to come up from some I just threw out into the bed. You can always keep on planting all summer long into the warm fall weather to keep nice tender plants with better flavor for cooking. Of course if you lack room then by all means just keep pinching of the new tender shoots and keep it bushy. They are fun just seeing them grow, but don't let them bloom or you the flavor will not be worth saving except to produce seeds. If they go to seed early just plant more seeds. Make sure the seeds from your plants are dry before using.


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RE: Basil from seed

Today I went shopping for basil plants but they only had the Asian variety available. The Italian variety with large leaves I love but do not know the proper name. Is it too late to start these plants from seeds here in northwest Florida?
I'd like to plant the basil in long potting containers need to know the best type soil to use and the best side of the house to plant. Any help would be most appreciated. I would give anything for good pesto this summer!.


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RE: Basil from seed

I would plant Sweet Basil as it is overall the best flavor and now would be a fine time to plant the seeds. Be sure you save one plant near the end of the growning season for seeds as they will produce much better than those you buy in the store. I don't bother removing the seed covering and just save them in any container until next season. If you let one go to seed early you can wait until the seeds are dry and plant as long as the warm season is still here. Plants are fine also but the cost goes up. I grow them in sun or semi-shade and they seem to do fine anywhere. Our soil here isn't very good but they grow anyway. If you are looking for one type just type in basil Plants and go from there to see if you can find what you are looking for. Sweet Basil is the biggest seller as a seed and you can get them almost anyplace that sells seeds.


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RE: Basil from seed

Hello! I grow a lot of basil. Some I use for cooking others I have just because Basil is pretty and attracts bees. I sow some seeds every year, but mostly I root cuttings. It's very easy. Just gather up a small (5-7" long) bouquet of basil, cut off the flowers and all the big leaves (especially the ones that will be under the level of the water), and put them in a jar (bouquet-style) in the window. Leave some leaves to take in the sunshine, but not too many. These root quickly. I've even rooted stems from the grocery. It's worth a try.


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