Leggy basil

[mandyballantyne]

My basil is growing well but very leggy due to not enough light?

I will be putting it in the greenhouse shortly but wondered if I could plant it deeper like tomatoes? To encourge better roots.

Thanks all, Mandy

[Cutecumber]

the stems won't sprout additional roots when dropped down, unlike a tomato, and you potentially risk stem rot. Having said that, I have successfully done this with lettuces which were too leggy, and all was well. Basil doesn't appreciate being disturbed very much, either.

The basil you buy in pots in the supermarkets is very leggy, but tastes good anyway!!

[mandyballantyne]

Thanks CuteCumber,

I will leave them be, they pots are large enough so won't need potting on. I might just start off some extra's, I do like basil

I find it amazing how what you can do with one seedling you can't do with another I suppose the are just as individual as all of us.

mandy

[berksmike]

I think if you leave them to establish they'll be ok... Mine were leggy but as they bush up and the stems strengthen they seem to support themselves.
Otherwise they maybe getting too warm without enough light?

[wellie]

I think there is a lot to be said for growing Basil in small-ish modules (P10's are good, which would mean 40 to a full seed tray). I've never understood why people grow basil seedlings and then 'prick them out', singly, or in clumps..... why bother? You're making work for yourself which isn't necessary, with everything else you've got to do already so soon.....

Just put 5 seeds per 2" module tray, and trust me, sow WAY MORE than you think you'll need! Basil in Summer is completely indispensible, and that's a complete understatement in my books. You really will thank me 'from here to christmas', so just go mad and so loads.............!