"Niall" wrote in news:b9b5ns$6ae$1
@kermit.esat.net:

i have little success with my indoor basil growing

The plants seem to get very soft & weary
or have pieces of the leaves drying out & browing

Any tips, best potting mix, etc etc


Plenty of light is important. I can't grow it in the winter, however warm
I try to keep it, but it is easy in the summer.

What I do:

In spring, fill a pot mostly full of ordinary potting compost (I use
standard peat-free stuff).

Stick a layer of John Innes seed compost on top of the pot about 1-2cm
thick.

Sprinkle a few basil seeds on the top of the pot.

Water, then clingfilm the top till the seedlings have germinated.

Keep on hot sunny windowsill, water when compost is almost dried out, feed
when you remember, and chop bits off to eat as required.

'soft and weary' plants sounds like you might be over-watering. I don't
know about the brown bits of the leaves. Sounds almost as though it might
be some sort of infection? Pot plants inside over the summer can be a bit
prone to that.

Try again now with fresh compost, and a new (or sterilised) pot, and the
brightest location you can find.

Oh, I find ordinary green basil attracts fewer bugs than the fancy purple
one.

Victoria