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Avatar for ckm91377
Nov 20, 2023 1:22 AM CST
Thread OP

Hello all! I purchased Basil (pronounced Bazel-like the British name) last August from our local grocery store. He spent a lot of time outside and provided us with many yummy leaves. When fall came and temperatures began to drop below his comfort level my wife brought him in and decided to see how long she could keep him around. By the end of winter he was still around but not looking exactly happy. He started taking trips outside again and perked up and once again this summer provided us with delicious basil-ey goodness. But now we are having a bit of an issue that we are looking to find the best solution for. Our friend basil has grown too tall for his own good and he (and his little friends that came with him in his pot) are wanting to lean and flop around when moved and I am afraid he is going to either snap off or lean too far and end up curling down in an unnatural position. Basically I am looking for the best way to prop/hold/support him and any other tips/tricks/advice you can give us. I know basil plants don't live forever but it's become a bit of a challenge to us to keep him around as long as we can. I have attached some pictures of his current state. Thank you!!!
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Nov 20, 2023 11:55 AM CST
Name: Zoë
Albuquerque NM, Elev 5310 ft (Zone 7b)
Bee Lover Salvias Region: New Mexico Herbs Container Gardener Composter
Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Birds Enjoys or suffers hot summers
Stakes will hold it up if you want to keep the plant as is. Can't think of any particular "trick" to make the stalks stand upright. You can use twisty ties, plant tape, strips of nylon tights... whatever's handy.

However, if you're willing to prune it, you'll have two outcomes: your plant will be shorter and fuller and you'll have cuttings to propagate.

Pruning into woody basil stems is tricky; sometimes it will resprout, sometimes it won't, and it will sprout more slowly indoors in the winter, but it's doable. If that were mine, I'd try clipping back just a couple stems to see if they produce new leaves.

Look for nodes that show some emerging growth and clip just above them the same way you'd normally pinch your plants in the summer. I can't clearly see in the photo, but I've circled what might be possible sites. If those cuts produce new growth, gradually clip back the whole plant, but not all at once. Make sure it always has healthy leaves on about a third of the stalks. BTW, it looks quite healthy for an indoor basil!

Then clip the woody parts off the leftover leafy cuttings (into the green stem) and root those in soil or water for new plants.

Going forward, keep the entire plant pinched back while the stems are green and it won't get so leggy.
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Avatar for ckm91377
Nov 26, 2023 9:03 PM CST
Thread OP

Oh crap-just realized I never thanked you for your reply!! Thank you so much for the advice. I have passed it along and hopefully we can keep this little guy healthy...and delicious-lol.
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Nov 26, 2023 9:07 PM CST
Name: Zoë
Albuquerque NM, Elev 5310 ft (Zone 7b)
Bee Lover Salvias Region: New Mexico Herbs Container Gardener Composter
Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Birds Enjoys or suffers hot summers
You're welcome, and thanks for the acorn!
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