What can I do to save my basil leaves when the plant gets too big? Should I freeze the leaves or dry them out and what is the proper procedure for either? -
Either method is fine. It really comes down to a personal preference. These articles will help you with either:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/freezing-herbs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/how-to-dry-herbs-various-methods.htm
I am growing basil but in a slightly different way than most. I want to grow and harvest the basil for its 'premature' or unopened flower buds rather than for its leaves, though I will make use of the leaves as well. I was wondering, do different growing/fertilizing techniques apply since I'm going for the buds rather than leaves? I want the buds to have maximum possible size and flavor/smell potency. I have purchased regular and bloom enhancing Miracle Grow fertilizer. When do you think that the bloom enhancer should be applied to ensure optimum results?
The fertilizer can be applied regularly as soon as the plant has about 4-8 true leaves. Really, the bloom enhancing fertilizers tend to have more phosphorous. Using more phosphorous and less nitrogen will encourage blossoming and less foliage.
I seem to be doing everything right and I keep losing my indoor basil plants? What do you think is the problem?
Basil can be tricky indoors. The most common reason for failure is simply not enough light. If your basil is leggy before it dies, this is a good sign it is not getting enough light. You can supplement the light with a florescent light placed near (like a few inches) the plant.
Other common reasons for basil dying indoors are fungus (brown spots on the leaves or fuzzy mold will indicate this), pests (small spots - sometimes fuzzy spots) and over and under watering (droopy leaves in both cases).
I have Thai basil and lemon basil in my veggie garden. The Thai basil grows really good but not my lemon basil. The leaves are skinny and yellow. I've tried to put it in the container, hoping it would grow well, but its the same. Then I put some horse manure on top of the soil to make it better, but I think it made the plant even unhappier. What should I do?
It sounds like it may have Fusarium Wilt, which is caused by a fungus. Thai basil tends to be resistant to it, as does lemon, though not as much as thai basil is. It sounds like your variety was not resistant enough. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done with it. I would recommend disposing of it and starting over.
Without seeing your problem plant, I'm going to guess that it's getting too much water (and fertilizer) since it was in a vegetable garden. Herbs like to suffer. They do well in hot sun, kind of crappy soil and less rather than more water.
I have a lot of Ocimum sanctum plants in my garden, all in pots, but recently I shifted the plants to new building. Now I found that all the plants are shedding all the leaves, which look dried. I examined the roots, and they're decayed and slowly spreading to the stem. Please clarify what is the problem? The soil is not in direct sunlight. Most plants are showing same symptoms.
It sounds like they have root rot. It is likely either Pythium and Rhizoctonia root rot, as these are most common on these plants. These articles will have more information:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r280100211.html
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1359/az13592c.pdf
I recently planted some herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, dill, rosemary, tarragon and thyme). The seedlings are about an inch high. How many should I keep in each pot? The pots are 4 inches in diameter?
How do you know when to harvest your basil?
You should start pinching your basil as soon as it about 6" tall. Just pinch off the tips of the branches (and use them in a recipe) and continue to do so through the season. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/making-herbs-bigger-through-pinching-and-harvesting.htm