The black thumb strikes again

[kitchen_kink]

So I'm growing this basil plant in a big plastic cup, like the red kind you buy for parties and write your name on with a Sharpie. So far it's about five inches tall and apparently thriving.

What do I do now?

I already have it staked to a chopstick, because at a certain point it looked like it was going to fall over. It's still only one stalk, pretty thin, and it just keeps growing upward.

Should I transfer it to a larger pot, or wait until it's closer to being rootbound in the cup?

Is there a way to make it develop more stalks so it's stronger overall, or will it just keep going upward?

What do I do so as not to kill this plant, and so I can have fresh basil in a few months??

Thanks as ever, LJ.

Comments

[dilletante.livejournal.com]

basil's a weed. i used to trim dad's plot of basil with the lawnmower. it is relatively hard to kill.

(that said, i don't know what the optimal time to transfer it to a larger container is.)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Hmph.

From what I'm told, it's easy to grow in the ground, but harder to keep alive in a container, especially indoors. That certainly jibes with my experience, anyway.

Someday my pesto will come.

[tisana.livejournal.com]

You can pinch the growing tip to make it branch out (and use the leaves for food). Most herbs will do that.

You have holes poked in the cup bottom for drainage? If the roots aren't poking out yet, I wouldn't worry too much about it being rootbound.

[hawkegirl.livejournal.com]

Er... does it get walked?

What I mean is does it get to spend the day outside in the sun and rain, or is it windowsil bound?

I'd say it needs some outside time asap. The wind and rain will help strengthen it, and the sun will help with growth.

You can bring it in at night if you think something might eat it or take it.

(And don't over water it indoors)

[hawkegirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I would not repot a plant that is not thriving unless it's critical and obvious that it's being harmed by the pot it's in. Otherwise only repot healthy platns, because it's a shock to them, roots inevitably get torn/broken.

[dietrich.livejournal.com]

Hey there! Thanks, and congratulations - I haven't been catching up on LJ, but I did hear that the Boba has been born! Blessings!

I should mention that the plant in question does seem to be doing okay, and doesn't seem rootbound - so I won't repot it. But it *is* only a seedling - albeit a fast-growing seedling. Does that make any difference?

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

I, too, would recommend outside time. More sun, especially. Also perhaps some fertilizer of some sort.

BTW, coincidentally, I just read a post in biodiesel from the person who has "fantods at gmail.com"

Tee.

[shideem.livejournal.com]

when a plant gets thin & leggy like that, it's desperately trying to make its way toward sunlight. so one more vote for putting it outside. unfortunately, the damage is already done, and it probably won't ever be strong enough to go without supports of some sort. make sure to harvest it before it flowers. or remove the flower buds as soon as they appear. basil tastes like ass after it flowers. found that one out the hard way :)

[cycon.livejournal.com]

unfortunately, the damage is already done, and it probably won't ever be strong enough to go without supports of some sort.

Oh, for shackles that small! :P

[dietrich.livejournal.com]

I should mention that the plant in question is a seedling, not yet an adult plant, so it's not so much thin and leggy as growing from the single stalk it started with. fanw also mentions that basil just tends to grow up up up. So I think it's healthy - I'm just wondering what next steps are. Sounds like outside is the thing.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

It shouldn't really need a support and it probably won't develop extra stalks. Basil tends to just go up up up! I can check my container gardening book for tips. I'll tell you what I find out.

[heliopsis.livejournal.com]

Basil's an annual, so there's not much point repotting it; it won't live long after flowering whatever you do. If you are really serious about growing some basil indoors, you might want to invest in a grow light. It needn't be expensive.

[starphire.livejournal.com]

It's all true.

But also keep in mind (for now and for future reference):
Plants get their stem strength from experience with the wind and rain beating upon them. That's why it yours needs a stake to keep it from falling over.

Making a sudden transition to more intense sunlight can cause shock and even kill a weak seedling.

The growth rate of your plant is limited by any of the essential elements:
full spectrum light (duration X intensity)
water sufficient to hydrate without drowning roots and soil (drainage essential)
air, specifically CO2 and O2
essential nutrients and micronutrients in sufficient quantity and proportions to be helpful rather than toxic. Maintaining that balance in a small container is always a challenge.

Keep your pot at least as large as the spread of the plant's leaves, but don't transplant more than once. i.e. if you want a big plant later, put it in a much larger container now. If you want it to fit on a windowsill then not so big.