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basil trying to flower but leaves are small

14 years ago

My potted basil is about 6-7" high (and the same dimension wide). It keeps getting flower buds that I pinch off, but the leaf size isn't very impressive. I prune it to encourage bushiness- I'd say the plant has about 40-50 smaller-size leaves total on it. I just can't figure out why it looks so petite.

It's Genovese and it's in a giant pot with regular watering- leaf color is good.

Thoughts?

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Comments (7)

cyrus_gardner
14 years ago
It depends on variety and growing conditions.
But generally, you can discourage blooming and encourage foliage, by feeding them fertilizer rich in nitrogen, poor in phosphorus, like cow manure.

Be aware, withe rich nitrogen do not overdo it and also be prepared to water more often.
Daisyduckworth
14 years ago
Aw gee. You can't expect a baby plant to produce adult-sized leaves, can you? It sounds perfectly healthy to me, and just has a bit of growing up to do. A lot, actually.
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hi Paul.. the above comment can be very true, however, if your living in a city and have no outdoor space, like me, then we grow on our window sill :) Actually what I do is place my basil on a small table just near a window. My Basil is from seeds planted in May and they are still growing in their small terra cotta pots.. just be sure that your pot drains well. And at least once a week(on the really nice days) I open the windows or take it out to my sun porch where my other herbs currently are. To help with your infestation, you may want to think about purchasing an insect killer spray. Or if you prefer organic you can always google how to make your own..there's a ton of websites that can give you instructions.. or stick with your current method if it seems to be working. Imho, I think you should re pot it in different soil. If you cannot get your finger an inch or so in then the soil may be too dense. You can buy just a little bag of good draining potting soil, or maybe you can ammend the soil you currently have with some sand and/or sphagnum moss. And go ahead and pinch those yellow leaves off. I wouldn't fertilize especially with it so late in the season. And make sure to freeze or dry some of your leaves before you've squeezed all the life of your plant that you can lol.. but I like to do this so that I can still enjoy the herb even in the cold cold months. But as I read over my advice I'm reminded that it is almost October so don't go and spend too much money and/or time as my indoor basil usually is a goner by the end of November. Good luck and remember "Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"
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zone24anne
Original Author
14 years ago
: ) I think I'm being a little impatient! This is the first time my herbs have done well (it's my second attempt- first try I drowned them all- I cared a little too much with too little know-how!) I will let it be for a while and see where I am in a month or so!
ksrogers
14 years ago
Some basil can reach 4 foot tall.
cyrus_gardner
14 years ago
I forgot to say in my previous message, that some basils bloom early on. As an example, I have started some thai basils from cuttings. Since they are small, I kept pinching off their flower buds, they kept groving again. Then I just left them alone. Now about 8" tall they have blooms.
Any time I have bought thai basil, they have had either blooms or/and buds. So I think that is their nature.
zone24anne
Original Author
14 years ago
Should I be concerned about the "flowers equals less flavor in the leaves" thing, though? I've been pinching them off like crazy for that reason...
ksrogers
14 years ago
Genovese basil grows to about a foot tall and has small leaves. More like little bushes. They too flower and the flowers should all be pinched off as if allowed to continue, the leaves yellow sooner and die. Basil can flower at any time, as its weather dependent as well as maturity of the plants that govern the fowering stages. Bolting is the term used for plants that shoot up flower stalks. In kost cases, there is no way for the bolted plant to revert back to something younger with no flowers present.

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