Re: Look at my Basil Plants

[Guest guest]

I LOVE YOUR UTUBES. Melody, Thanks so much for sharing with us.

Ann

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GizEHq8F44

>

> Now here's a good question.

>

> Let's say I want to cut some off and put them in my sprout salad.

>

> Do I trim from the bottom, from the top, or do I snap off the middle of

the whole thing, hence making the plants shorter?

>

> I really don't know what to do. I don't want to kill any of the plants

because they are growing so tall, and I know I can put sticks in and tie

them to the center but I need to know what to do.

>

> Thanks much.

>

> Basil growing Sproutlady Melody

> lol

>

[Guest guest]

Mel, you can pinch off any of the leaves and the plant will survive. Just don't

break off or sever the main trunk. From the top of the plant find a spot on the

branch where two leaves are opposite each other. Cut or pinch just below that.

This will cause the plant to start two new branches. Your basil will become even

fuller. Keep the flowers pinched off. If the plant sets seed, it will stop

growing and put all of its energy in to making seeds so that it can reproduce.

Don't forget that the flowers are edible

ew

Look at my Basil Plants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GizEHq8F44

Now here's a good question.

Let's say I want to cut some off and put them in my sprout salad.

Do I trim from the bottom, from the top, or do I snap off the middle of the

whole thing, hence making the plants shorter?

I really don't know what to do. I don't want to kill any of the plants because

they are growing so tall, and I know I can put sticks in and tie them to the

center but I need to know what to do.

Thanks much.

Basil growing Sproutlady Melody

lol

[Guest guest]

You pinch off the top off to encourage it to put out bigger side branches. You

won't need to stake it if you keep the growing tips pinched or snipped. The

plants closest to you are on the south side are doing better than the ones on

the north side (you are standing on the southeast side when the video starts and

then you move to the east side when you shade the plants.) I'm assuming that you

are posting this at close to the same time you filmed it. If it's not too

difficult for you it would be beneficial to turn the planter 180 degrees so the

north end becomes the south end; that way the plants that are shaded in the

afternoon now will be in full sun in the morning. If you get too much basil to

use fresh you can just put it in a brown paper bag for about a week and it will

dry so you can have your own home grown dry basil.

Lee

> Let's say I want to cut some off and put them in my sprout salad.

>

> Do I trim from the bottom, from the top, or do I snap off the middle of the

whole thing, hence making the plants shorter?

>

> I really don't know what to do. I don't want to kill any of the plants because

they are growing so tall, and I know I can put sticks in and tie them to the

center but I need to know what to do.

>

> Thanks much.

>

> Basil growing Sproutlady Melody

> lol

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ann.

I get a kick out of making them. Did you see the recent one I made about the

little baby around the corner? Each morning when I come home from breakfast,

there she is with grandma and I can never resist taking out my Flip.

Melody

> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GizEHq8F44

> >

> > Now here's a good question.

> >

> > Let's say I want to cut some off and put them in my sprout salad.

> >

> > Do I trim from the bottom, from the top, or do I snap off the middle of

> the whole thing, hence making the plants shorter?

> >

> > I really don't know what to do. I don't want to kill any of the plants

> because they are growing so tall, and I know I can put sticks in and tie

> them to the center but I need to know what to do.

> >

> > Thanks much.

> >

> > Basil growing Sproutlady Melody

> > lol

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Flowers???? What flowers? I don't see any flowers.

Melody

>

> Mel, you can pinch off any of the leaves and the plant will survive. Just

don't break off or sever the main trunk. From the top of the plant find a spot

on the branch where two leaves are opposite each other. Cut or pinch just below

that. This will cause the plant to start two new branches. Your basil will

become even fuller. Keep the flowers pinched off. If the plant sets seed, it

will stop growing and put all of its energy in to making seeds so that it can

reproduce. Don't forget that the flowers are edible

> ew

>

> Look at my Basil Plants

>

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GizEHq8F44

>

> Now here's a good question.

>

> Let's say I want to cut some off and put them in my sprout salad.

>

> Do I trim from the bottom, from the top, or do I snap off the middle of the

whole thing, hence making the plants shorter?

>

> I really don't know what to do. I don't want to kill any of the plants

because they are growing so tall, and I know I can put sticks in and tie them to

the center but I need to know what to do.

>

> Thanks much.

>

> Basil growing Sproutlady Melody

> lol

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Look very close at the top center of each of those plants. You will see

something there that does not look like the leaves. Those are the beginnings of

flowers. The petals will be white and bees will visit them. Even in the city.

ew

Re: Look at my Basil Plants

Flowers???? What flowers? I don't see any flowers.

Visit Your Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sproutpeople;_ylc=X3oDMTJlb20ycDhzBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0\

BGdycElkAzI0OTM2MDAEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZnaHAEc3RpbWUDMTMx\

MDY4MzI4Mw--

http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkaW12YmhkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI0OTM2MD\

AEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2dmcARzdGltZQMxMzEwNjgzMjgz

Switch to:

sproutpeople-traditional %3Fsubject%3DChange%20Delivery%20Format%\

3A%20Traditional ,

sproutpeople-digest %3Fsubject%3DEmail%20Delivery%3A%20Digest

• sproutpeople-unsubscribe %3Fsubject%3DUnsubscribe • Terms

of Use http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

.

[Guest guest]

Melody,

You can snip the stems halfway down and they will keep growing and be bushier

with more leaves instead of tall & leggy. You can keep the stems you pick in

some water on the counter like a basil bouquet or even in the fridge until you

use the leaves. Or you could dry them or make pesto if you have an abundance.

Also when you see the tops start to form flower heads pinch them off (they look

like very compact leaves at first but will turn into flowers/seeds). Heat will

cause them to flower and make seeds. If you pick off the flowers it will put

it's energy into your leaves instead of seeds and the leaves will have more

flavor.

I usually let one or two plants flower and set seed to see if they will grow on

their own next season.

Carole

Mesa AZ

> Let's say I want to cut some off and put them in my sprout salad.

>

> Do I trim from the bottom, from the top, or do I snap off the middle of the

whole thing, hence making the plants shorter?

>

> I really don't know what to do. I don't want to kill any of the plants because

they are growing so tall, and I know I can put sticks in and tie them to the

center but I need to know what to do.

>

> Thanks much.

>

> Basil growing Sproutlady Melody

> lol

>

[Guest guest]

Tomorrow I will get my Flip and I'll try and record these FLOWERS.

Should be very interesting.

thanks much

Melody

>

> Look very close at the top center of each of those plants. You will see

something there that does not look like the leaves. Those are the beginnings of

flowers. The petals will be white and bees will visit them. Even in the city.

> ew

>

> Re: Look at my Basil Plants

>

> Flowers???? What flowers? I don't see any flowers.

>

> Visit Your Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sproutpeople;_ylc=X3oDMTJlb20ycDhzBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0\

BGdycElkAzI0OTM2MDAEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZnaHAEc3RpbWUDMTMx\

MDY4MzI4Mw--

>

http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkaW12YmhkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI0OTM2MD\

AEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2dmcARzdGltZQMxMzEwNjgzMjgz

> Switch to:

sproutpeople-traditional %3Fsubject%3DChange%20Delivery%20Format%\

3A%20Traditional ,

sproutpeople-digest %3Fsubject%3DEmail%20Delivery%3A%20Digest

• sproutpeople-unsubscribe %3Fsubject%3DUnsubscribe • Terms

of Use http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

>

> .

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

When you say Snip the Stems halfway down, are you talking about me taking my

shears and cutting the thing that's in the middle (I call it the stalk). I take

the top part off? So I'll be left with the bottom of the plant that is in the

soil along with the remaining leaves?

Is this what you mean when you say Snip the Stems halfway down? Just want to get

the word Stems correct.

Thanks much

Melody

>

> Melody,

> You can snip the stems halfway down and they will keep growing and be bushier

with more leaves instead of tall & leggy. You can keep the stems you pick in

some water on the counter like a basil bouquet or even in the fridge until you

use the leaves. Or you could dry them or make pesto if you have an abundance.

>

> Also when you see the tops start to form flower heads pinch them off (they

look like very compact leaves at first but will turn into flowers/seeds). Heat

will cause them to flower and make seeds. If you pick off the flowers it will

put it's energy into your leaves instead of seeds and the leaves will have more

flavor.

>

> I usually let one or two plants flower and set seed to see if they will grow

on their own next season.

>

> Carole

> Mesa AZ

>

>

> > Let's say I want to cut some off and put them in my sprout salad.

> >

> > Do I trim from the bottom, from the top, or do I snap off the middle of the

whole thing, hence making the plants shorter?

> >

> > I really don't know what to do. I don't want to kill any of the plants

because they are growing so tall, and I know I can put sticks in and tie them to

the center but I need to know what to do.

> >

> > Thanks much.

> >

> > Basil growing Sproutlady Melody

> > lol

> >

>

[Guest guest]

LOL, I was sitting here thinking, " why not now? Is her Flip away? " It's

only 6:09PM here -

P

Reply-To: <sproutpeople >

Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 01:06:53 -0000

To: <sproutpeople >

Subject: Re: Look at my Basil Plants

>

>

>

>

>

> Tomorrow I will get my Flip and I'll try and record these FLOWERS.

>

> Should be very interesting.

>

> thanks much

>

> Melody

>

>> >

>> > Look very close at the top center of each of those plants. You will see

>> something there that does not look like the leaves. Those are the beginnings

>> of flowers. The petals will be white and bees will visit them. Even in the

>> city.

>> > ew

>> >

>> > Re: Look at my Basil Plants

>> >

>> > Flowers???? What flowers? I don't see any flowers.

>> >

>> > Visit Your Group

>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sproutpeople;_ylc=X3oDMTJlb20ycDhzBF9TAzk3MzU5N

>> zE0BGdycElkAzI0OTM2MDAEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZnaHAEc3RpbW

>> UDMTMxMDY4MzI4Mw--

>> >

>> http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkaW12YmhkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI0OTM

>> 2MDAEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2dmcARzdGltZQMxMzEwNjgzMjgz

>> > Switch to: sproutpeople-traditional

>> <mailto:sproutpeople-traditional%40yahoogroups.com>

>> %3Fsubject%3DChange%20Delivery%20Format%3A%20Traditional ,

>> sproutpeople-digest

>> <mailto:sproutpeople-digest%40yahoogroups.com>

>> %3Fsubject%3DEmail%20Delivery%3A%20Digest •

>> sproutpeople-unsubscribe

>> <mailto:sproutpeople-unsubscribe%40yahoogroups.com> %3Fsubject%3DUnsubscribe

>> • Terms of Use http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

>> >

>> > .

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

[Guest guest]

Pam

Too dark right now. It's 9:15 here in Brooklyn. I don't have a flashlight. And

besides, tomorrow they shall be in glorious color. And I'm going to ask

questions when I snip the stems (I'm trying to clarify what this means, lol).

Mel

> >> >

> >> > Look very close at the top center of each of those plants. You will see

> >> something there that does not look like the leaves. Those are the

beginnings

> >> of flowers. The petals will be white and bees will visit them. Even in the

> >> city.

> >> > ew

> >> >

> >> > Re: Look at my Basil Plants

> >> >

> >> > Flowers???? What flowers? I don't see any flowers.

> >> >

> >> > Visit Your Group

> >>

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sproutpeople;_ylc=X3oDMTJlb20ycDhzBF9TAzk3MzU5N

> >>

zE0BGdycElkAzI0OTM2MDAEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwN2dGwEc2xrA3ZnaHAEc3RpbW

> >> UDMTMxMDY4MzI4Mw--

> >> >

> >>

http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJkaW12YmhkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI0OTM

> >> 2MDAEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYwOTUwBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA2dmcARzdGltZQMxMzEwNjgzMjgz

> >> > Switch to: sproutpeople-traditional

> >> <mailto:sproutpeople-traditional%40yahoogroups.com>

> >> %3Fsubject%3DChange%20Delivery%20Format%3A%20Traditional ,

> >> sproutpeople-digest

> >> <mailto:sproutpeople-digest%40yahoogroups.com>

> >> %3Fsubject%3DEmail%20Delivery%3A%20Digest •

> >> sproutpeople-unsubscribe

> >> <mailto:sproutpeople-unsubscribe%40yahoogroups.com>

%3Fsubject%3DUnsubscribe

> >> • Terms of Use http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> >> >

> >> > .

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

[Guest guest]

Snip anywhere as long as its just above a set of two leaves. The plant will grow

two more banches at that point, making the plant fuller and giving you more

basil.

ew

Re: Look at my Basil Plants

When you say Snip the Stems halfway down, are you talking about me taking my

shears and cutting the thing that's in the middle (I call it the stalk). I take

the top part off? So I'll be left with the bottom of the plant that is in the

soil along with the remaining leaves?

Is this what you mean when you say Snip the Stems halfway down? Just want to

get the word Stems correct.

Thanks much

Melody

[Guest guest]

Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves and

all, and it will continue to make leaves?

Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

course). I don't want to kill these plants.

lol

Mel

>

> Snip anywhere as long as its just above a set of two leaves. The plant will

grow two more banches at that point, making the plant fuller and giving you more

basil.

> ew

>

> Re: Look at my Basil Plants

>

> When you say Snip the Stems halfway down, are you talking about me taking my

shears and cutting the thing that's in the middle (I call it the stalk). I take

the top part off? So I'll be left with the bottom of the plant that is in the

soil along with the remaining leaves?

>

> Is this what you mean when you say Snip the Stems halfway down? Just want to

get the word Stems correct.

>

> Thanks much

>

> Melody

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes. Thanks

> Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves

and all, and it will continue to make leaves?

>

> Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

course). I don't want to kill these plants.

>

> lol

>

> Mel

>

>>

>> Snip anywhere as long as its just above a set of two leaves. The plant

will grow two more banches at that point, making the plant fuller and giving

you more basil.

>> ew

>>

>> Re: Look at my Basil Plants

>>

>> When you say Snip the Stems halfway down, are you talking about me taking

my shears and cutting the thing that's in the middle (I call it the stalk).

I take the top part off? So I'll be left with the bottom of the plant that

is in the soil along with the remaining leaves?

>>

>> Is this what you mean when you say Snip the Stems halfway down? Just want

to get the word Stems correct.

>>

>> Thanks much

>>

>> Melody

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

New gardeners are so funny! I got a picture of a basil plant from google images

and doctored it a little to give you an idea about where to do your snipping.

http://bit.ly/pHouZT

I started gardening when I was about 12 years old and since I turn 58 on

Sunday I've been at it for quite a long time. New gardeners always are afraid of

doing things that will kill their plants. That was the part that I thought was

funny. It takes me back to when I first started killing plants.

Lee

> Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves and

all, and it will continue to make leaves?

>

> Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

course). I don't want to kill these plants.

[Guest guest]

Nice visual, Lee. Wish I had thought of it.

ew

Re: Look at my Basil Plants

New gardeners are so funny! I got a picture of a basil plant from google images

and doctored it a little to give you an idea about where to do your snipping.

http://bit.ly/pHouZT

I started gardening when I was about 12 years old and since I turn 58 on

Sunday I've been at it for quite a long time. New gardeners always are afraid

of doing things that will kill their plants. That was the part that I thought

was funny. It takes me back to when I first started killing plants.

Lee

> Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves and

all, and it will continue to make leaves?

>

> Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

course). I don't want to kill these plants.

[Guest guest]

Oh, how brilliant.

I CAN DO THIS!!!

lol

melody, thanks much

>

> > Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves and

all, and it will continue to make leaves?

> >

> > Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

course). I don't want to kill these plants.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I went out and trimmed mine today, too, Melody.

P

Reply-To: <sproutpeople >

Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:48:59 -0000

To: <sproutpeople >

Subject: Re: Look at my Basil Plants

>

>

>

>

>

> Oh, how brilliant.

>

> I CAN DO THIS!!!

>

> lol

>

> melody, thanks much

>

>> >

>>> > > Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves

>>> and all, and it will continue to make leaves?

>>> > >

>>> > > Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

>>> course). I don't want to kill these plants.

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

[Guest guest]

Great visual aid, Lee! What a good idea!

 

Peggy

To: sproutpeople

Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 7:16 AM

Subject: Re: Look at my Basil Plants

 

New gardeners are so funny! I got a picture of a basil plant from google images

and doctored it a little to give you an idea about where to do your snipping.

http://bit.ly/pHouZT

I started gardening when I was about 12 years old and since I turn 58 on

Sunday I've been at it for quite a long time. New gardeners always are afraid of

doing things that will kill their plants. That was the part that I thought was

funny. It takes me back to when I first started killing plants.

Lee

> Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves and

all, and it will continue to make leaves?

>

> Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

course). I don't want to kill these plants.

[Guest guest]

Well I DID IT!!!

Here's how I snip snip snipped my basil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRRaXc5kkp8

Melody

>

> > Snip ANYWHERE means I can literally take one half of the top off, leaves and

all, and it will continue to make leaves?

> >

> > Did I get this right? I'm going to make a video (after I check here, of

course). I don't want to kill these plants.

>

>

[Guest guest]

You are probably the best student that I have ever had.

ew

Re: Look at my Basil Plants

Well I DID IT!!!

Here's how I snip snip snipped my basil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRRaXc5kkp8

Melody

>

[Guest guest]

I am HONORED!!!!

And I mean it!!

I actually grew SOMETHING besides sprouts.

Oh how exciting!!!

lol

Melody

thanks much

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

EW, does this same method work on mint plants? I have a rather leggy mint in a

pot in my kitchen and would like to transplant it outdoors (hoping that it won't

suffer the fate of my AG cucumbers!) I'm making mint simple syrup so have pulled

off almost all the larger leaves. Can I just snip right above any stem node?

Most look like they're two-sided, but it's hard to tell on some. I'd like for it

to get bushy.

 

Thanks!

Peggy

 

Here are some pics - my denuded mint plant (would a snip above either of the two

leaf nodes shown (second pic) be OK?), and day 3 of my mung beans having their

20 " cool water soak.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35458235/100_1797.JPG http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35458235/\

100_1799.JPG http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35458235/100_1800.JPG

To: sproutpeople

Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 1:48 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Look at my Basil Plants

 

You are probably the best student that I have ever had.

ew

Re: Look at my Basil Plants

Well I DID IT!!!

Here's how I snip snip snipped my basil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRRaXc5kkp8

Melody

>

[Guest guest]

I am growing a bunch of basil at my son's. I have a question....shouldn't you

cut off the stem right above where there are two leaves growing, so they can

each sprout out to a new stem? If you cut right below the two, you cut off the

" nodule " where the new stems would grow. Do I have this backwards? You had

mentioned " find a spot on the branch where two leaves are opposite each other.

Cut or pinch just below that. "

Phyllis

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the colorful demo! That is exactly what I do, and I have happy basil.

Have a " cool " day, everyone!