Basil Budding?

[The Ranger]

I purchased two beautiful 1-gallon basil beauties from Trader Joe's
recently, planted them in direct sunlight, watered them regularly, and
now the silly things are blooming from every tip. Is there a way of
stopping that cycle or is it too late and I'll just have to live with
them cutting out soon?

The Ranger

[Kristin Granlund]

If you pinch off the budding, you can prolong the plant's life. Last
year, our basil thrived until mid-October. This year's crop started
budding about a month ago so I just keep pinching them off.

You can simply pinch the buds off with your fingers, but I usually cut
off the last few inches of every branch that is budding and make a batch
of pesto (I have four plants) and I do this about every 2-4 weeks when
the buds reappear.

Good luck!

Post by The Ranger
I purchased two beautiful 1-gallon basil beauties from Trader Joe's
recently, planted them in direct sunlight, watered them regularly, and
now the silly things are blooming from every tip. Is there a way of
stopping that cycle or is it too late and I'll just have to live with
them cutting out soon?
The Ranger

[Patty Winter ()]

Speaking of basil, which pests really go after it? I planted some
a few months ago, and it *completely* disappeared in a couple of
days. Right down to the roots. I literally was standing over my
planter thinking, "Didn't I plant some basil there"? I imagine
it would have to be something big like snails to destroy it so
thoroughly and so quickly. Gee, if I were a snail, I wouldn't
want people to start thinking of me in relation to herbs. ;-)


Patty

[Kristin Granlund]

I've tried to grow basil from seeds twice and I had the same problem. I
think slugs were the culprits. I ended up buying some plants from the
nursery and they had a few leaves eaten, but not enough to hurt the
plant. Perhaps starting them inside or otherwise protecting them until
the plants are bigger/stronger is enough.

Perhaps the slugs thought they were safer than snails associating with
herbs...

Post by Patty Winter ()
Speaking of basil, which pests really go after it? I planted some
a few months ago, and it *completely* disappeared in a couple of
days. Right down to the roots. I literally was standing over my
planter thinking, "Didn't I plant some basil there"? I imagine
it would have to be something big like snails to destroy it so
thoroughly and so quickly. Gee, if I were a snail, I wouldn't
want people to start thinking of me in relation to herbs. ;-)
Patty

[Jon Shemitz]

Post by Kristin Granlund
I've tried to grow basil from seeds twice and I had the same problem. I
think slugs were the culprits. I ended up buying some plants from the
nursery and they had a few leaves eaten, but not enough to hurt the
plant. Perhaps starting them inside or otherwise protecting them until
the plants are bigger/stronger is enough.

I make cloches out of old 2-liter soda bottles. Punch holes in the
bottom and cut the neck off, and they make great mini-greenhouses that
protect the basil until it's big enough to deal with the slugs and
snails. You do have to be sure to take them off before the basil hits
the top, though - if you leave them on too long, the basil gets
spindly and weak, and doesn't thrive when you take the bottles off.

[Patty Winter ()]

Thanks for the ideas, Kristin and Jon. I can't remember whether those
plants were in 2-inch or 4-inch pots, but the slugs (or whatever) took
them out quickly. If I try again, I'll protect them better until they
get bigger. And sprinkle some slug bait around them. :-)


Patty