Basil

I had no idea...you’d think it would object to all that water! Thanks Amy.

I have accidentally, found this sort of thing happening to herbs I have placed in water. Also edible seeds germinating when (deliberately) placed in moistened paper towels!

I'm on my way to the garden to do some basil pruning! I used to have a plastic gizmo that was for sprouting mung beans. Useful mostly in winter. This way you could keep your basil going til next spring! brilliant. Most square stem plants (mint family) will root in water.

Thank you everyone. Dried herbs make us all lazy even if
soaked half an hour as Delia advises.

Thanks Amy - who knew?!

Amy, brilliant. It works exactly the same with Sage.

Thanks for that idea, putting into my favs for reference.

Thanks Amy, I love basil and this looks so easy to do.

I didn't know you could do this, thanks for the information.
I sowed too many seeds and I have 3 trayfulls of Basil lol but they're all looking a bit sad now so I think I'll try this with some of them :)

I've just cut some Basil for Spanish chicken sauce (to freeze as I've got so many tomatoes), and the stems with top leaves are now in water. I might have a go with Sage too as the sun and heat has mine looking a bit sorry for itself. I'm always telling the grandchildren you can learn something new every day and this was my revelation. Thanks Amy.

I'm pleased you all found this interesting its true we do learn something different every day , Dawn I shall be trying the Sage next thanks for that ..
Thorneyside I love the sound of the Spanish chicken sauce especially if you can freeze it I have loads of tomatoes ripening would it be possible to have the recipe please ...

Must try this, have done it with Aeoniums......but in an empty glass jar......

I'll remember this. I planted the seed so I have quite a lot of Basil at the moment.

Seems so easy. I must try it. thanks. Would be nice to have fresh basil all year.

It is easy if I can do it anyone can ...

lol now we can make home made pizza with fresh basil & tomatoes, yey!

Ooh Yes please ,what time is supper Paul ? few Olives on top please :o))

Yum - basil, my favourite! It's a good time to be propogating all sorts of things from semi-ripe and hardwood cuttings. I just pulled off a section of purple sage and stuck it in the ground last week. Plenty of watering and it's looking happy!

Olives & meatballs!

Even better Paul :o)) Sage is going to be my next experiment Pb ...

Meatballs and olives...ohh my! I'll bet this will work with oregano too. then again the oregano has been thriving in the dry heat... no need to propagate it.

Sage?! You can make tomato sauce & fend off the evil spirits all at once. way to go!

Just trying the 'pick it off and stick it in a glass of water technique' on Greek basil and sage... as well as jasminum officinalis and trachelospermum jasminoides!

Do we need Garlic to fend of the evils Paul Lol ..
Good luck Pb ....

LOL it's the sage. I think garlic is for Dracula.

Oh and I thought Garlic killed off all the baddies Paul :o(

Thanks Amy, I will have to nip the tops off mine, that way I might even manage to keep some going in the coming months....

Basil freezes well in freezer ziploc bags.

How long do they take to start growing roots? Nothing doing on mine yet!

Give it a go Lincs there's nothing to lose ,I have chopped and frozen some Paul I love basil both the smell and taste ,
the roots you can see in the photo only took a week to grow Pb ,I've grown two lots since then I put a piece in water a couple of days ago its already sending out shoots ,.how long have you had yours in water ?

Hmmm. Amy, I think I did mine on 15th when you first posted, but still no roots, although the cutting still look fresh and green. Did some more this morning.

How strange Pb I've grown several since then I put some more in water a week ago as our son was bringing his boys for a holiday the roots grew while they were here and are ready to pot up .. I believe cottagekaren is ready to pot some up as well .. don't give up ...

I think the ends are starting to rot now. I wonder what I'm doing wrong? Mine are on a N. facing windowsill. Could that be the problem?

Mine is an east window Pb it's not on the windowsill its on a cupboard just below out of the early morning sun , I can't think of any reason why yours wouldn't grow ,perhaps it's a poorly plant to start with .. my glass is a tall thin shot glass which helps to support the leaves round the rim .4" high just over one inch across the top ... keep trying with a new good piece ... good luck

Has anyone tried the bush Basil? It seems very pungent and up very little space.

Wells ...I didn't know there was a Bush Basil can you eat the leaves in the same way as the herb ? I must look it up ...