Gardening and Horticulture - Herb Garden
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shazam
06-19-05, 04:27 PM
I'm new to gardening and am trying to start an indoor herb garden. Everything has been going well now for about two months but I keep reading about pinching back buds on my basil to promote leaf growth. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I'd also like to know if it's possible to take a cutting from my basil and replant it.
twelvepole
06-19-05, 05:53 PM
If growing basil indoors, sow seed in a flat and cover with moistened, sterile mix not deeper than twice the size of seed. Seed should be about 1/2" apart. Soils temp should be about 70 degrees (room temp). It take about 5-5-7 days for seed to germinate. Soil must be kept moist. Water in a spray bottle is great for keeping moist soil. When seedlings have at least 2 pair of true leaves, they can be transplanted to pots.
Most indoor growers recommend sunny location and pinching off flowers. Many recommend pinching back plants to keep the leaves tender and plants not top heavy. You can store basil leaves if you wash, drain, lightly salt and store in olive oil. Many folks find that basil does not do well indoors. Other her options for indoor gardening include oregano, chives, mint, rosemary, and thyme.
You might find this link on this website helpful: http://doityourself.com/herbs/growingherbsindoors.htm
For Herb Society info: http://www.herbsociety.org/basil/bgrowin.php
Plants such as basil, oregano, lavender, rosemary, thyme and sage can be propagated from shoot tip cuttings. Take the cutting at a node on the stem (where the leaves attach), because this is where root formation is more abundant. Remove the lower leaves and insert the cut end of the stem into moist media such as soil mix, vermiculite or perlite. Cover the container with plastic to help increase relative humidity. If the plastic lays on the foliage, it can decay. Place the pot in a warm, shaded location. You can also do root divisons which tend to be less hastle.
Most indoor growers recommend sunny location and pinching off flowers. Many recommend pinching back plants to keep the leaves tender and plants not top heavy. You can store basil leaves if you wash, drain, lightly salt and store in olive oil. Many folks find that basil does not do well indoors. Other her options for indoor gardening include oregano, chives, mint, rosemary, and thyme.
You might find this link on this website helpful: http://doityourself.com/herbs/growingherbsindoors.htm
For Herb Society info: http://www.herbsociety.org/basil/bgrowin.php
Plants such as basil, oregano, lavender, rosemary, thyme and sage can be propagated from shoot tip cuttings. Take the cutting at a node on the stem (where the leaves attach), because this is where root formation is more abundant. Remove the lower leaves and insert the cut end of the stem into moist media such as soil mix, vermiculite or perlite. Cover the container with plastic to help increase relative humidity. If the plastic lays on the foliage, it can decay. Place the pot in a warm, shaded location. You can also do root divisons which tend to be less hastle.