| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| AFinkberry |
Posted - Sep 13 2013 : 2:52:19 PM
So we just bought a Kapoor Tulsi, aka Holy Basil. It smells heavenly! (truly!) We've mixed our organic soil with organic compost (about 50/50, I think) and planted it in a nice wooden barrel. The nursery I bought it from says it loves our climate (Portland area like weather wet and cloudy) but all of the websites I've been to say it needs hot weather and sun! I really want this plant to do well, and I will be so disappointed if it dies. I have yet to actually grow anything with any amount of success...I have the opposite of a green thumb. Hubby has a green thumb but he's too busy with work at the moment, and I would like to build some skills here! Some of the leaves are turning yellow. The soil stays moist most of the time, and on those rare hot days (it was 90 this week....ACK!!) I was watering every time the soil felt dry.... Any advice on this plant (and gardening in general) is much appreciated!
Ally
"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness." ~His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LuckyMommyof5 |
Posted - Nov 29 2013 : 6:39:19 PM
All varieties of Tulsi flourish naturally in places like India and the Middle East. They prefer very hot and sunny weather, humid or dry. Most homes in India grow a type of Tulsi in their gardens because it is believed to bring good luck. I have a pretty successful herb garden every year and for the second year in a row could not get Tulsi to establish. I think anywhere with frost it runs the risk of being an annual, so you may want to try cover or bringing it in to shelter.
Sometimes (NOT often) you can get someone at a nursery or garden store giving out completely erroneous info on a plant you want to buy. I once bought a baby fig tree at a nursery and was promised up and down that it was a variety that could over winter in Zone 5 (my zone). Much later I discovered a small label on the bottom of the pot that identified it as a fig tree that could only overwinter in zones 8-10, and this was after I'd already transplanted it into a large patio pot. It was too big to move in and burlap cover didn't save it over winter. I never went back to that nursery again.
Tulsi can also be grown from seed starting in Spring after last frost danger. I think I may try this route next year. Seeds of Change sells seeds for Tulsi.
Good luck!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| Jeri |
Posted - Nov 27 2013 : 4:18:55 PM
Ally - we have totally different climates, but Basil does not do well in cold weather, needs warm and sun. You can bring inside and keep in a sunny window.
Jeri |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Sep 13 2013 : 8:08:36 PM
Hi Ally, I live a bit up the road from you and used to work in a nursery and we always told people that Basil needs/wants warm dry weather. This year has been good up here for Basil specially after the wet, wet Spring. we started ours very late and it has done wonders. It does NOT like to get it's feet too wet. Try not to over water. Let it dry out a little bit. Ah it smells so very good. Good luck! I know you can do it. MB
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