June to December I have all the basil I could want, planted in pots in
the back yard. When that dies from the cold, I buy bunches for a buck or
$1.20 for organic and wash and trim the stems a 1/2 inch and put in a
glass with water. If reasonably fresh when bought the basil keeps in the
kitchen for weeks, maybe over a month if I don't use a whole lot of it.
However, the basil starts to look not so hardy after a couple of weeks.
The leaves shrink. Is there something I can do to keep it happier? Maybe
add something to the water? Obviously, I don't want anything drawn up
into the leaves that I don't want to ingest.

Dan

PS When it's warm enough in the kitchen, the store bought basil sends
out roots and I have more than once successfully planted these in my
backyard pots. More often, I start the outside plants from seeds.

On Jan 18, 1:40*pm, Dan Musicant ) wrote:
June to December I have all the basil I could want, planted in pots in
the back yard. When that dies from the cold, I buy bunches for a buck or
$1.20 for organic and wash and trim the stems a 1/2 inch and put in a
glass with water. If reasonably fresh when bought the basil keeps in the
kitchen for weeks, maybe over a month if I don't use a whole lot of it.
However, the basil starts to look not so hardy after a couple of weeks.
The leaves shrink. Is there something I can do to keep it happier? Maybe
add something to the water? Obviously, I don't want anything drawn up
into the leaves that I don't want to ingest.
.....
You might try a couple of things: a pinch or two of sugar in the
water; letting it sit out on the counter or window sill on a sunny
afternoon. Can't guarantee that either would work but that's what
comes to mind..... -aem

Might I suggest changing the water every couple of days? Once a week or so,
I trim the stems. Also, keeping it in the fridge will retard decomposition,
so I'd stick it in there when it starts to get 'ugly'.

I wish basil plants liked me . . .

Joy

--

"Dan Musicant" wrote in message
...
June to December I have all the basil I could want, planted in pots in
the back yard. When that dies from the cold, I buy bunches for a buck or
$1.20 for organic and wash and trim the stems a 1/2 inch and put in a
glass with water. If reasonably fresh when bought the basil keeps in the
kitchen for weeks, maybe over a month if I don't use a whole lot of it.
However, the basil starts to look not so hardy after a couple of weeks.
The leaves shrink. Is there something I can do to keep it happier? Maybe
add something to the water? Obviously, I don't want anything drawn up
into the leaves that I don't want to ingest.

Dan

PS When it's warm enough in the kitchen, the store bought basil sends
out roots and I have more than once successfully planted these in my
backyard pots. More often, I start the outside plants from seeds.

In article
,
aem wrote:

You might try a couple of things: a pinch or two of sugar in the
water; letting it sit out on the counter or window sill on a sunny
afternoon. Can't guarantee that either would work but that's what
comes to mind..... -aem

Why? Color me Curious.
-Barb
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller
http://gallery.me.com/barbschaller/100041
-- a woman my age shouldn't
have this much fun!

In article ,
Dan Musicant ) wrote:

June to December I have all the basil I could want, planted in pots in
the back yard. When that dies from the cold, I buy bunches for a buck or
$1.20 for organic and wash and trim the stems a 1/2 inch and put in a
glass with water. If reasonably fresh when bought the basil keeps in the
kitchen for weeks, maybe over a month if I don't use a whole lot of it.
However, the basil starts to look not so hardy after a couple of weeks.
The leaves shrink. Is there something I can do to keep it happier? Maybe
add something to the water? Obviously, I don't want anything drawn up
into the leaves that I don't want to ingest.

Dan

PS When it's warm enough in the kitchen, the store bought basil sends
out roots and I have more than once successfully planted these in my
backyard pots. More often, I start the outside plants from seeds.

Keep the tip of the bases of the stems trimmed every few days. Seems to
help with fresh flowers...
--
Peace! Om

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once." -- Anonymous

On Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:08:14 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
wrote:

:In article
,
: aem wrote:
:
: You might try a couple of things: a pinch or two of sugar in the
: water; letting it sit out on the counter or window sill on a sunny
: afternoon. Can't guarantee that either would work but that's what
: comes to mind..... -aem
:
:Why? Color me Curious.
:-Barb

The things I have been doing, or have done occasionally:

Putting the bunch in the sun when it's not so warm as to stress the
stems.

I generally put the glass containing the water and stems at the bottom
of a stainless steel bowl and put water in the bowl. The evaporating
water in the bowl keeps the air surrounding the leaves at a higher
humidity than the room at large and helps prevent the leaves from drying
excessively.

Occasionally, I spray the leaves with a fine mist of water.

I HAVE on occasion retrimmed the stems. On recommendation in this thread
I'll do that more frequently.

Dan

On Jan 18, 5:08*pm, Melba's Jammin'
wrote:

Why? *Color me Curious.
-Barb
--
Because, just like in the threads about keeping ginger, no one pays
heed to the correct answer, which is Use More! The whole notion of
not being able to use a finger of ginger or a bunch of basil before it
goes bad is baffling. -aem