Basil Legacy: Update

It's hard to believe that just last week, I was putting on a brave face as I blogged on the state of the Basil. So it's nice to be able to start this entry with something more positive to talk about.

As you will recall, I was planning on using some supports to prop up the Basil so that I could get the branches off the ground. The original supports I had planned to use worked after a fashion, but I found that they still left the plant leaning precariously. In the end I was able to recycle an old tomato support system which consists of a flexible metal ring connected to three adjustable and movable support. I put the metal ring around the plant and adjusted the three supports to take the weight of the heaviest branches which in turn allowed me to prop up the entire plant. As an added benefit, the ring and it's supports are a pleasant shade of green which helps them blend in with the Basil. I also made sure to remove the few damaged branches and harvest the leaves around the metal ring to ensure that the support it provides is study and not likely to slip. All in all, I'm happy with my quick fix solution.

Also now that I'm paying more attention to the Basil on a daily basis, I've noticed another benefit from being able to keep the plant upright and in its current location. We have four or five bees that are visiting, feeding and pollinating the white flowers that are blooming at the top of the Basil. Normally I would pinch these flowers off to encourage the plant to keep growing, but the benefits that the bee's are bringing to the garden are making it worthwhile allowing the Basil to follow its natural cycle. I hope to be able to harvest and preserve some of the seeds that will be produced by the bee's pollinating the flowers to supplement my Basil Cuttings.

Talking of Basil Cuttings, here is a picture I took this morning.

As you can see, this cutting is developing a healthy root system and should be ready to transplant into a pot in the next day or two.

When you are getting ready to transplant any plant, it's important to consider the current conditions of the plant you are moving. In my case, the cuttings I am going to be moving are used to growing in a water only environment, so it's going to be important that I soak the soil and take great care when putting the plant into the pot. I'll want to made sure I dig out the hole first and then gently place the soil back in the hole once the cutting is in place.


Of course I'm not growing all of this Basil for the look of it, we're busy using the leaves for all sorts of recipes such as our Pesto. I'll talk more about that in another post.