Just mastered the most difficult thing in the food universe
Discussion
I got a rosemary plant from Asda at Easter as they had no packets left, not one from the herb section but from a rack of houseplants they had at the front of the store. It's still going strong and I've had quite a bit from it. £2 well spent.
A basil plant went in the bin this week, kept it going for a week but it gave up the ghost.
A basil plant went in the bin this week, kept it going for a week but it gave up the ghost.
Gardeners Question Time on R4 had a question on this the other day. They suggested if you split the plant and put it in multiple pots, you should see your success rate increase. Apparently they over sow the pots which means they don't get enough nutrients to sustain much growth. Worth a punt...
HotJambalaya said:
Have finally, for the first time ever. Managed to keep one of those supermarket basil plants alive for more than 3 days.
Not to brag or anything, but I think its been going strong for nearly a week now.
I may write a book, though at this time I'm more focused on tv appearances.
I managed 3 months last summer Not to brag or anything, but I think its been going strong for nearly a week now.
I may write a book, though at this time I'm more focused on tv appearances.
king useless they are...If you mimic the conditions in which the plants were grown before being dispatched to the supermarket, they should do OK. Have a look at planetthanet's website to get the general idea. Although the supermarket herbs are rooted in that light soil, they're basically grown hydroponically and have developed a root system appropriate to those conditions. Probably.
My Basil plant is still going strong after a month .
It's still in the original pot, on the kitchen windowsill. They seem to like a lot of water - a small glassful every 2 or 3 days.
I'm the least green fingered person in the world, so if I can keep one of these plants alive, anyone can!
.It's still in the original pot, on the kitchen windowsill. They seem to like a lot of water - a small glassful every 2 or 3 days.
I'm the least green fingered person in the world, so if I can keep one of these plants alive, anyone can!
Ive gone all advanced and taken some of the cut herbs (instead of the potted ones) and when they looked all dead and gone, placed the stem minus the dead leafs in water + nutrients and the buggers are coming back to life.
Took the bottom section of a leak that you don't use after cutting the rest and placed it in water + nutrients, now in a bit of soil, now have a brand new leak plant growing.
Took the bottom section of a leak that you don't use after cutting the rest and placed it in water + nutrients, now in a bit of soil, now have a brand new leak plant growing.
it will take most of a year and a couple of repottings before any new leeks are big enough to eat ... they are not fast growing plants. Unlike herbs, many of which will grow from seed in weeks and spread like weeds (especially mint, easily gets out of control).
I think the problem with supermarket food section herb plants, is as another poster says, to do with the way the supermarket's supplier has grown them, in particular conditions in order to farm them all year round and very quickly. When the plants are removed from those specialist conditions and into the home/garden, they can't cope very long.
I think the problem with supermarket food section herb plants, is as another poster says, to do with the way the supermarket's supplier has grown them, in particular conditions in order to farm them all year round and very quickly. When the plants are removed from those specialist conditions and into the home/garden, they can't cope very long.
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