Basil and its varieties

[Barriehie]

Mod.edit: posts moved to form a new topic (MG)

I was curious how that worked out. Not many herbs make it through winter this far north. Sometimes parsley, oregano, and chives make it through but never basil.

Basil doesn't make it here either. $3.50 every year for a new plant.

 

[karadekoolaid]

$3.50 every year for a new plant.

I know I'm in a different climate, but I let my basil grow until it flowers/seeds. Then I just save the seeds for future use.

 

[rascal]

I had my best season last year with basil.
It's winter here atm . Spring 1st September. I love spring.

Russ

 

[Barriehie]

When my basil is making flower buds I harvest them so it spreads out more under the cut and I get more leaves. Never tried collecting seeds, yet.

 

[badjak]

I know I'm in a different climate, but I let my basil grow until it flowers/seeds. Then I just save the seeds for future use.

I don't even do that....
The seeds are everywhere, so they come back if and when at places they decide

 

[Barriehie]

When I get my first two harvests I've already saved enough for another plant the following year. I have limited room indoors for the spring seedlings so I save that for food producing plants.

 

[Puggles]

I know I'm in a different climate, but I let my basil grow until it flowers/seeds. Then I just save the seeds for future use.

I notice this too, suddenly overnight, I see the flowery, bud thingies on the tips of my basil. Is that what those are? I can pick those and save them to plant more?

 

[Barriehie]

I notice this too, suddenly overnight, I see the flowery, bud thingies on the tips of my basil. Is that what those are? I can pick those and save them to plant more?

Here's a flower bud(s) on mine right now. I'm going to nip it on the red line and toss in with whatever to eat. If it's making flowers it's not making flavor...

 

[Barriehie]

Also to note; when the stem starts getting woody and bark looking the flavor is going to start leaning towards bitter. The plant is going into survival mode as it tends towards reproducing instead of producing.

 

[karadekoolaid]

I notice this too, suddenly overnight, I see the flowery, bud thingies on the tips of my basil. Is that what those are? I can pick those and save them to plant more?

Yes. My basil grows like wildfire, so in this photo, you can see the extended flower stem, the tiny purple/white flowers and the seed pods.
I just cut the stems off, let them dry and then sow them - if necessary.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Here's a flower bud(s) on mine right now. I'm going to nip it on the red line and toss in with whatever to eat. If it's making flowers it's not making flavor...View attachment 129447

Yeah, I eat the flowers, too. I am not going to bother with growing from seeds, though, so I don't save the flowers.

I generally need some basil before the last frost so I buy a plant for the windowsill once it's not bitter cold anymore and we are getting more sun (usually March) and then plant it in a pot for outside in June. Up here in Ohio, all winter long we get so very little sun that nothing grows in the windowsill.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Yes. My basil grows like wildfire, so in this photo, you can see the extended flower stem, the tiny purple/white flowers and the seed pods.
I just cut the stems off, let them dry and then sow them - if necessary.View attachment 129448

That's a different type of basil. Most of the bright green basil is an annual basil. It germinates, flowers and seeds in the same season, dying back in winter completely.

The type there is Thai basil. My OH bought me 2 pots of it. I don't like the flavour anywhere near as much, but the bees like it so it has stayed for the moment. It spread quite happily with the stems falling down and growing roots aiding is spread. It's a perennial (so like a tree in that sense).

I’ve been using the wrong Thai basil for how many years?! | What is holy basil?| What is Thai basil? - Lion Brand

 

[badjak]

Yep, that's Thai basil
Mine has taken over and my Italian has disappeared.
The lemon basil is still around.

And yes, bees & butterflies love my Thai basil

 

[Barriehie]

Yep, that's Thai basil
Mine has taken over and my Italian has disappeared.
The lemon basil is still around.

And yes, bees & butterflies love my Thai basil

Next year I'm going to intersperse basil with my tomatoes for the pollinators and the, I've heard, pest repellent properties.

 

[Morning Glory]

That's a different type of basil. Most of the bright green basil is an annual basil. It germinates, flowers and seeds in the same season, dying back in winter completely.

The type there is Thai basil. My OH bought me 2 pots of it. I don't like the flavour anywhere near as much, but the bees like it so it has stayed for the moment. It spread quite happily with the stems falling down and growing roots aiding is spread. It's a perennial (so like a tree in that sense).

I’ve been using the wrong Thai basil for how many years?! | What is holy basil?| What is Thai basil? - Lion Brand

It may be Thai basil but much more likely Mexican basil. What do you think karadekoolaid ? I have some in dried form:

Cinnamon basil - Wikipedia
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