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help..think I may have messed up this grow your own this already!
sareybox_2
Posts: 37 Forumite
in Gardening
Hi
I'm sure someone out there will be able to tell me if my seedlings can be saved. I got some basil seeds and some propogators for Christmas and I've gone and got my self all excited and planted far too many seeds per pot! (should have done the research first)
My propogators are about 5 inches diameter and I have about 40 seedling per pot. They are over an inch tall now and have 2 tiny little leaves each. They are starting to look a little crowded.
My question is can I transplant some of them now or should I wait for the 'true leaves' - what ever these are?! Should I commit infanticide on some of the little babies for the sake of the greater good? Should I leave them and wait to see what happens? Should I chuck them all in the bin and never speak of gardening again?!
Please help, if not for my sake for the sake of the little basil babies
Sarey
I'm sure someone out there will be able to tell me if my seedlings can be saved. I got some basil seeds and some propogators for Christmas and I've gone and got my self all excited and planted far too many seeds per pot! (should have done the research first)
My propogators are about 5 inches diameter and I have about 40 seedling per pot. They are over an inch tall now and have 2 tiny little leaves each. They are starting to look a little crowded.
My question is can I transplant some of them now or should I wait for the 'true leaves' - what ever these are?! Should I commit infanticide on some of the little babies for the sake of the greater good? Should I leave them and wait to see what happens? Should I chuck them all in the bin and never speak of gardening again?!
Please help, if not for my sake for the sake of the little basil babies
Sarey
0
Comments
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Great, I've messed up the post in the title line - superb work sarey!0
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Perfect time to transplant. I like around 4 basil plants per 15cm pot (ish)
Loosen the soil and try to keep the roots intact, gently prise the different plants apart. Pick them up gently by the leaf and transplant. Firmly push the compost round the seedling in it's new home.
Start picking leaves when they are still youngish, about 15cm I start, then keep picking so they don't go to flower.
Oh at 10 cm ish I like to pinch out the top so they bush up.... or maybe less than 10cm, the way I do things changes every year.Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.0 -
oh dont worry Sarey i have done this with Chilli seeds a couple of years ago and my friend did this with Basil last year! i gave her a spare packet of seeds and she planted out the lot......i have to admit the Pesto was lovely......Every Penny's a prisoner :T0
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You should be fine if you transplant them carefully. Keep them warm though, it's still a bit on the early side for sowing basil. Good luck, home-made pesto is totally gorgeous and freezes well in yoghurt pots too.2026's challenges: 1) To rebuild our Emergency Fund to at least £5k.
2) To read 50 books (12/50) 3) The Re-Shrinking of Foxgloves 8.1kg/30kg
Remember....if you have to put it on a credit card, extend your overdraft or take out a loan to buy whatever it is, you probably can't afford it, as that's not your money, it's somebody else's!0 -
Basil is a good companion plant for strawberries, although I've never had that much luck growing it outdoors here. Just thought I'd mention it........0
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