My basil is broken near the soil line

Rockporter · April 14, 2012

from the wind, can it be saved? I am not sure what to do with it, the Genovese is about 9" tall and was very healthy before the wind got to it. Can I root it in something? I saw a thread where someone posted about putting it in water but doesn't it need some kind of nutrients to keep it growing?

Any help on this would be appreciated, thanks.

Sun City Linda · April 14, 2012

Pesto. LOL.

ChrisK · April 14, 2012

Cut the end and put it in a glass of water. It will send out roots very quickly. I do this all the time with store bought basil, oregano and marjoram.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockporter

from the wind, can it be saved? I am not sure what to do with it, the Genovese is about 9" tall and was very healthy before the wind got to it. Can I root it in something? I saw a thread where someone posted about putting it in water but doesn't it need some kind of nutrients to keep it growing?

Any help on this would be appreciated, thanks.

Rockporter · April 14, 2012

Great, thanks Chrisk...

tjg911 · April 14, 2012

and i'd leave the roots in the ground, just cut it leaving as much stem as possible. basil will regrow even if cut back drastically, that's how i keep it growing all summer.

tom

Rockporter · April 14, 2012

Tjg911, thanks, I did cut it and left the last set of leaves on the stem, funny how you posted to do this. I also thought I would put another seed or two into the pot to see if I could get germination. This pot was of two seedlings I transplanted for my neighbor last week and she was supposed to take them home with her in a couple of weeks. I'll let you all know how it worked out.

tjg911 · April 14, 2012

by mid or late july my basil looks like heck! i just cut it back and it grows back. i never knew this until someone here i suspect told me. basil is pretty tough unless you are talking frost!

tom

BigBrownDogHouse · April 18, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjg911

by mid or late july my basil looks like heck! i just cut it back and it grows back. i never knew this until someone here i suspect told me. basil is pretty tough unless you are talking frost!

tom

I'll have to start doing this. I just started growing basil a few years back because the wife absolutely loves it. I agree, by late Summer it looks pretty beat up.
I'm growing four different types this year and hoping for a great crop.

I also agree with sticking it in a glass of water and letting it root. Did that last summer and it didn't take long at all for roots to pop out.

babice · April 18, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBrownDogHouse

I'll have to start doing this. I just started growing basil a few years back because the wife absolutely loves it. I agree, by late Summer it looks pretty beat up.

Yep - I love growing basil too. If you let it flower, the taste changes (more bitter). So, I have 3 or 4 that I let flower because the bees love it. But then I have 3 or 4 that I keep trim until the first frost. I end up giving a lot away at work but people love that.

Tracydr · April 20, 2012

I start basil from direct sowing all the time after it gets warm. It's very easy, easier than lettuce. Just scratch the soil a little, sprinkle the seeds on top and press slightly, water gently. Keep damp by watering daily. They come up in less than a week in warm weather.
I also start basil from cuttings, either in water or damp soil. Basil starts very easily from cuttings. Just make sure it's warm.
I love basil, all kinds. It's so beautiful and delicious. I just purchased a varigated basil that doesn't flower so I'm going to start a bunch of cuttings. I might try selling them. I'm thinking about doing a stand at some farmers markets of basil, tomatoes and peppers. If i do, I'll probably offer 7-8 varieties of basil pr more.
Maybe a bunch of mint, too. Especially chocolate mint, which i can start from cuttings as well.
Other herbs when it's cooler.

Rockporter · April 20, 2012

Tracydr, sounds like a great idea for marketing. I will try the cuttings on the basil too. So far the one that broke isn't getting any roots on it all all.

Tracydr · April 21, 2012

Maybe set it in some damp potting soil?

Rockporter · April 24, 2012

Woo Hoo, I have lots of roots on my basil. I almost threw it out because it looked like it wouldn't make it but I just made sure it had water and now Boom, roots galore.

Tracydr · April 24, 2012

Yeah! What good news!

stonysoilseeds · April 24, 2012

i love basil as well amd all the different types i usually grow sweet basil thai basil and lime basil/// this year i added sacred and cinamon basil too.. the lime basil has a great flavor

April 14, 2012	#1
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	My basil is broken near the soil line from the wind, can it be saved? I am not sure what to do with it, the Genovese is about 9" tall and was very healthy before the wind got to it. Can I root it in something? I saw a thread where someone posted about putting it in water but doesn't it need some kind of nutrients to keep it growing? Any help on this would be appreciated, thanks. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

April 14, 2012	#4
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	Great, thanks Chrisk... __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

April 14, 2012	#5
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	and i'd leave the roots in the ground, just cut it leaving as much stem as possible. basil will regrow even if cut back drastically, that's how i keep it growing all summer. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

April 14, 2012	#6
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	Tjg911, thanks, I did cut it and left the last set of leaves on the stem, funny how you posted to do this. I also thought I would put another seed or two into the pot to see if I could get germination. This pot was of two seedlings I transplanted for my neighbor last week and she was supposed to take them home with her in a couple of weeks. I'll let you all know how it worked out. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

April 14, 2012	#7
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	by mid or late july my basil looks like heck! i just cut it back and it grows back. i never knew this until someone here i suspect told me. basil is pretty tough unless you are talking frost! tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

April 14, 2012	#2
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	Pesto. LOL.

April 20, 2012	#10
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	I start basil from direct sowing all the time after it gets warm. It's very easy, easier than lettuce. Just scratch the soil a little, sprinkle the seeds on top and press slightly, water gently. Keep damp by watering daily. They come up in less than a week in warm weather. I also start basil from cuttings, either in water or damp soil. Basil starts very easily from cuttings. Just make sure it's warm. I love basil, all kinds. It's so beautiful and delicious. I just purchased a varigated basil that doesn't flower so I'm going to start a bunch of cuttings. I might try selling them. I'm thinking about doing a stand at some farmers markets of basil, tomatoes and peppers. If i do, I'll probably offer 7-8 varieties of basil pr more. Maybe a bunch of mint, too. Especially chocolate mint, which i can start from cuttings as well. Other herbs when it's cooler.

April 21, 2012	#12
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Maybe set it in some damp potting soil?

April 24, 2012	#13
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	Woo Hoo, I have lots of roots on my basil. I almost threw it out because it looked like it wouldn't make it but I just made sure it had water and now Boom, roots galore. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

April 24, 2012	#15
stonysoilseeds Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: cincinnatus, new york Posts: 341	i love basil as well amd all the different types i usually grow sweet basil thai basil and lime basil/// this year i added sacred and cinamon basil too.. the lime basil has a great flavor