Trying to germinate basil

[veggiewomble]

It's driving me crazy. I got some Basil seeds free from a newspaper, and then purchased some more from T+M, and tried planting them in pots on a windowsill beside a radiator. Since its summer, the radiator is only one for brief periods in the evening (for the hot water) so conditions are cool in the room - maybe 18-20C during the day. Do I need more heat to germinate the seeds?? It's been several weeks so far and NOTHING. I've tried watering the soil frequently, or letting it dry out, and still nothing. It's getting really frustrating. I've not sown the seeds very deep either. How long do I wait before I just give up and try again?

vw

[Earthbabe]

Hi VW 18-20 should be ok. I read somewhere that basil needs light to germinate so if covered should be with only the lightest film of compost. Have you got any seed left to try again? They can be erratic germinators too.

[moggssue]

I germinated my basil in a seed tray on the kitchen windowsill, so very fluctuating temps, with a tiny sprinkling of compost over and then put inside a clear plastic sandwich bag to keep moist. They germinated in about 10 days and are now happily growing away as little plants still on the kitchen windowsill so cant be too bothered by the up and down temps?! But maybe I was just lucky vw - good luck with yours too.

[NSB]

I planted the purple basil that came with the magazine, I put them in some compost in one of those plastic containers that strawberries come in gave them a water and left them with the lid on outside. To my amazement as I'm not too good with seeds they all took, I didnt give them any more water just left the lid on so it acted as a propogator

[JazzDuke]

Basil, esp the standard Sweet Genovese, is one of the few seeds I never have trouble with. No propagator/plastic bag needed. Enough warmth, 20 should be plenty, a bit of water (I tend to water little and often till they've germinated) depth not critical. Though the variations (cinnamon, lime etc) are a bit more picky purple is easy enough. If you are buying then I would recommend Franchi, Seeds of Italy - big packets, authentic seeds. And don't be fooled by the (T&M I believe) Italian Seed company or somesuch similar name, that is a marketing ploy I believe.

[rustylady]

I suspect you're keeping them too wet. At this time of the year ordinary room temperature should be adequate to germinate basil. Methinks maybe the seed is rotting?

[pixie]

Germinating basil in shade in the greenhouse seems to have worked for me this year. I put the seeds on top of the compost and covered with vermiculite to keep moist. Seemed to work for coriander too. Most were up after 2 weeks.

[MrsC]

hi, have had success germinating on windowsill covering lightly with compost and then a clear plastic bag. another grape gave me this tip, don't know if you already know, apologies if you already do. pinch out the tips of basil (once around 7 inch tall) place in water and they root within a few days, pot up and repeat the process as many times as you want. no need to ever buy basil again. it works I have tonnes of the stuff.

[moggssue]

mrsc2b - I have tons of basil grown from seed but didnt realise you could grow them as 'cuttings', guess what I'm off to try this evening ...!! Thanks for the tip

[zazen999]

Hi all

I just chuck it in a pot with 1/2 inch compost over; or chuck it in the ground and leave it be.

I use it for companion planting - only grow a little for eating [it encourages the green fly away from the toms]; so i don't get worried if it doesn't grow; but this year it has been fine. I usually just use the cheapest seed available.

I have tried in the past growing indoors - logic says that this should be the better way but have never had any luck like this. Treat it mean and it seems to like it.

[veggiewomble]

Wow, more than a month after I sowed some seeds, the basil has finally started to sprout! But from a load of seeds, I've only got a few seedlings poking their leaves through the soil. It only began after I moved the pots outside into my cold frame, having given up having them beside the radiator indoors. It gets more direct sunlight this way and perhaps this is what it lacked indoors!

vw

[greenlung]

I've not grown basil from seed, but take small cuttings (3-4 inches) then dangle in a glass, just a few millimetres from the water surface. After a week or so, small roots start emerging.

[Jardiniere]

I have had no problem growing basil but CORIANDER!!!!!!
Takes weeks to come through, a few survive then they BOLT.
What to do?

[zazen999]

You are possibly growing seed coriander rather than leaf coriander. Try switching, and keep cutting it back, even if you don't use it.
I cut mine back every day or so, and cut it into small pieces which get sprinkled on the carrot beds - thereby dissuading the dreaded carrot fly. My seed coriander is used as companion planting rather than edibile and it bolts really quickly, but we the seeds will in turn be used for more companion plants i am not that worried.

[Jardiniere]

Thanks for that ...will check my seed packets!