What's up with my basil?

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doofy - 30 Sep 2007 04:39 GMT

It's trying to flower, and I keep picking them off.

I bought the plant over 6 weeks ago, and haven't been eating off of it
much. The leaves are a lighter green that what I see in the store, and
it tastes more like anise or fennel that what I remember basil to be like.

Has it just gotten a bit long it in the tooth? The new leaves are a
deeper green. Not the larger ones.

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David Hare-Scott - 30 Sep 2007 06:06 GMT

> It's trying to flower, and I keep picking them off.

normal

> I bought the plant over 6 weeks ago, and haven't been eating off of it
> much. The leaves are a lighter green that what I see in the store, and

maybe it's not fed properly or getting enough sun

> it tastes more like anise or fennel that what I remember basil to be like.

could be the cultivar, they have different flavours, or your memory

> Has it just gotten a bit long it in the tooth? The new leaves are a
> deeper green. Not the larger ones.

Yes and no. While conditions are good (light, water, food, warmth) it will
keep going but it will continue with that pesky habit of flowering. If
there is enough growing season left strike some tip cuttings and you will
have new plants that wll not flower for a while at least. If your warm
season is nearly over the first frost will kill it and cool weather in
general will slow it down, in that case save the leaves dried for cooking
and keep the seeds for next spring.

David

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Homeowner Forum / Lawn and Garden / September 2007

What's up with my basil?