Basil

I would consider myself now as an Herbalist (a person that studies herbs). This is my first herb - - Basil or Ocimum basilicum. The reason I picked this one is that I really like everything Italian. When I researched, basil is used is prominently used in Italian cuisine.

Here's the picture when I first bought the plant form an orchidarium: (taken 03/21/10)



Together with this, I bought a plastic plant box (around 7x7 in) that comes together with a tray, soil and a fertilizer/compost, composed of dried leaves and small twigs.

It was hard to take care of it the first couple of weeks but as I did researched on the web, it just need lots of sun and regular water supply. I water this one every other day on a sunny day. the tray keeps the excess waters, saving it for the next day.

After it grew big-- arround 2 months, and was able to use it in some of my dishes (omelet, carbonara, etc.), I wondered how can I regrow a new basil plant. I tried researching in YouTube and googled, they always mentioned seeding. I can't find any seed. So what I did was cut the tallest stem, with atleast 3 layers of of branching, and placed it in an ice cream container with water. I just guess that roots may grow at the bottom part. within the couple of days, the plant looked like it was dying. But I just continued to observe. I angled it so that the top leaves wouldn't be soaked in water and used a stone to guide it.

Here's the set-up:

I was worried because this stem grew flowers as well, thinking that I killed the Main plant's reproductive system that it wouldn't have any flowers anymore.

In weeks it did grew white roots. Around 4-6 weeks, here's how it looked:


-----

Recently I took also took a picture of the main basil plant that I bought: (taken 05/12/10)




And guess what, it did has flowers: (taken 05/18/10)


I would post more regarding the update as to what happened to the rooted cutting that I have later.

I also came acoss a website (www.indianmirror.com) with Folklore and myth about Basil:

"Basil was once considered to belong to the Devil and was used in a remedy against witches. When an Italian suitor wanted to show his love he would place a sprig of basil in his hair to win his hearts desire. It is the same in Mexico where people would keep basil in their pockets in hopes that the man or woman that they loved would return their love forever. In Romanina, they followed much of the same legend, where the man would give basil to his love and they would officially be engaged. In ancient Rome basil has also long been revered. They called it Basilescus, which refers to the Basilisk, the fire-breathing dragon. As legend says, if you took basil every day then it would ward off attacks from the beast. "

Lucky to have this plant with me! Also gives the good smell and who knows, this might actually work! :D

New Phase

Here I will now feature my new hobby, plants. Suddenly it came upon me that why shouldn't I try check and see if I have a green thumb. First was the money tree that I thought would give me good fortune financially.



With some spare change on my pocket, I also decided to buy this small cactus like plant thinking cactus is so easy to take care of. If I failed on this one, then it answers my question about being a green thumb. I chose this one because the leaves seemed to remind me of the drawings from the band incubus.

Here's their first photos: (taken 03/04/10)

money tree

cabbage like cactus

At first i watered them almost daily, then some leaves of the cactus turned yellow. When I went back to the shop where I bought this, the lady told me that I shouldn't have watered them daily. Internet also thought me that I shouldn't give them too much care for they require very little attention. Wow! that's good news for me, even if I forgot about th em for a week, they'll survive, But I always water them whenever i feel that their soil is turning to a sand due to dryness.

I'll upload more pictures for the updated ones on my next blog.

BTW here's the drawing that inspired me:

It's the pointed leaves

"I was awake and alone and in a lovely state of mind!
So I picked up a brown pen and had a brain-fart on paper!"
- Brandon -