One of my plants apparently collapsed under its own weight, and the stem is clearly broken, where the plant stem meets the soil (a bit under it apparently). I think that if I move it and twist it for 30 seconds or so, I may be able to detach the whole plant. The plant looks healthy though. Do I have some chances of recovering it or should I just make pesto ?
asked May 10, 2012 at 10:34
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3 Answers
I'm no expert, but if I really wanted to try to save it, I'd cut it back so it just has 5 to 10 leaves and prop it up with something.
I'm guessing that the plant got too tall from not enough sun. If so, when you're harvesting a small amount for a meal, consider nipping off tops - especially when it's trying to flower. This should make it branch more and keep the center of gravity lower, reducing the torque at the base. And in general, when just leaf-harvesting, do it near the top. There's more flavor there anyway.
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I live in the north. I get very little sun, so your diagnosis may be correct. Commented May 10, 2012 at 12:54
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IMHO, as @Ed Stub mentioned,The sun light is not enough for them. You can prepare artificial light by a T incandescent light bulb something like this picture: dfmlo8oja8g1e.cloudfront.net/52109/product/giant/238135.jpg Commented May 11, 2012 at 18:35
Has this happened to more than one plant? If so, it might be cutworms, the larvae of the click beetle. They characteristically "cut" small, young, tender plants at their base, thus their name.
To control cutworms, you can put a little paper cylinder around your plants (or a yoghurt container with the bottom cut out, etc.), or you can run chickens through before planting.
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It's unlikely, but yes, it happened to another plant. The plants are in three vases I keep indoor. I grew them from seed. I don't expect a lot of parasites around. Commented May 10, 2012 at 17:39
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yeah sounds probable that it is something like that +1 Commented May 10, 2012 at 22:35
Basil is very easy to root, just cut the stem clean and remove some of the bottom leaves, put it in a glass of water, or some vermiculite or perlite. Rooting hormone wouldn't hurt, but is not necessary. Then put it someplace that it wont dry out too much, greenhouse or window.
When you get roots plant them in some new soil away from whatever damaged it the first time, then harden it off to go back outside.
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I tried many times to root it from a cut, with no success. I don't know if it applies to the base of the stem as well, but I am not particularly confident what you propose will work. Glad to be wrong though. Commented May 10, 2012 at 23:25