Plant questions

[k edmonds]

I added plants to my system approximately 10 days ago.  Basil, chives, thyme, oregano and strawberries.  I have everything in net pots with hydroton and then gravel in the grow bed.  Roots are starting to move out into the gravel.  My question is about the Basil.  Is it very nutrient or temperature sensitive? It is starting to yellow slightly.  We have had some cool temps for about a week, lows in the 40's and highs around 60.  Everything else looks great.

[Rob Torcellini]

I haven't grown basil, but some plants need more nutrients than others and will yellow when they don't get enough. My lettuce will look perfectly fine, but cukes will yellow fairly quickly in the same growbed. You should check your nitrate levels....

[Sylvia Bernstein]

I agree with what both these guys are saying. Basil loves heat and is very unhappy at lower temps. Also a big feeder so if your system isn't fully mature (meaning cycled for at least 3 months or so) you might not have the available nitrogen it needs, but that will come with time.

[k edmonds]

Thank you for the info. I placed a clear hat over the top just to trap a little extra heat. My system has been running for just at a month, I will be patient.

Temps reaching our normal 70-75 degrees this weekend, yahoo!

[TCLynx]

Basil loves the heat.

You might also look at your pH and other water test results. If you have any nitrate showing, your plants probably have enough nitrate.

Which leaves are yellowing? The top new leaves or the bottom oldest leaves?

When new leaves yellow but still have green veins, it is actually a sign that the plant isn't getting the iron it needs. This can be due to pH being too high and/or due to a lack of iron.

When older leaves yellow, that can be from lack of nitrates or with some plants, older/lower leaves normally yellow and die off.

Yep, be patient

[k edmonds]

Just wanted to give an update on the plants. My conclusion is that it was the weather. We have had approximately 7-10 days in the 75-85 degree range, the basil has perked back up and has started some new growth. The Basil still has a slight yellow tinge to it but just chalking it up to lack of iron. Everything else is looking great. Even the lemon thyme is looking good. Thanks again to everyone for the feedback.

[Sahib Punjabi]

Need advice:

Well now that I have some Basil that seems to have gone wild (honestly the best tasting and flavorful Basil I have ever tasted), I want to know how to keep it fresh and firm once I cut some stems? It seems to loose it's firmness shortly after being cut. Also, what packaging is good for storing it?

[TCLynx]

The cook here says to keep fresh cut basil stems nice the longest (though it won't keep long) don't wash it and wrap a damp paper towel around the base of the stems like you might with flowers and put it in a baggie in the fridge. But that won't keep it long.
Basil is notorious for not keeping long once cut.
Or the cooks other suggestion is to wash it and chop it up fine in a food processor with olive oil and keep it in the fridge or even freeze it in small portions.

[Sylvia Bernstein]

It will also keep for several days with the stems in a cup of water on your counter like a bouquet of flowers.

[Dan Brown]

One of my things in kitchen was always knowing how to salvage everything. From bringing color back to a green soup with the addition of fresh spinach puree at service, to using vegetable scraps for stock, I've always loved food tricks. Here's a tip I picked up recently from one of my former cooks. Adding a little bit of soda water to the paper towel you wrap the basil in provides a source of CO2, which brings firmness back to the leaves. If it wilts again, repeat the process. It should be stored in a breathable plastic bag, with the paper towel on the inside to protect it from too much light.



Sahib Punjabi said:

Need advice:

Well now that I have some Basil that seems to have gone wild (honestly the best tasting and flavorful Basil I have ever tasted), I want to know how to keep it fresh and firm once I cut some stems? It seems to loose it's firmness shortly after being cut. Also, what packaging is good for storing it?

[TCLynx]

You might also bring it live into the house by pulling the net pot up and suspending it in a container of water.

Once you have used what you will, bring the plant back out to the system and exchange of a full one.

Granted, that might not work so well when selling it.