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Are my basil seedlings crowded?

IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
in Fruit & veg
These are basil cinnamon variety grown from seeds. Do they need pricking or thinning out and when to do this? I don’t want to waste any seedlings so I do want them to grow strong.

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  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    I wait till they have some true leaves (I don't think yours are ready yet) then prick out in 3" pots. Did mine last week and have 13 strong plants growing.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Too soon to divide them. Basil is often better split into clumps rather than individually. 
    Are they getting plenty of warmth and light? They look a bit leggy. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    My seedlings often look a little leggy. They’re on the windowsill so think light is ok, just not terribly warm with this weather in the conservatory. 
    Thank you. I’ll wait until they grow more before spreading them and in the meantime try to sow some more this weekend for succession cropping.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A conservatory can be much colder at night than a windowsill in a room in the house. 
    If you can find a south facing ledge in the house, that will be better for them. 
    I grow mine on the kitchen windowsill, south facing, and although it's not terribly warm there  overnight, it would be much warmer than a conservatory. I turn them a couple of times each day too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    When there’s a little bit of sunshine the conservatory is the warmest room so hoping the sun peeps out soon. I’ve put it in better light now.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    As Fairygirl says,  Basil grows best in clumps,  when they are big and the roots are showing at the bottom of the pot, tip it all out not individually and gently break in half or quarters depending on how many more seeds come up. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Will do thanks. I get too impatient with seedlings sometimes. But yes makes sense to have small clumps than individuals dotted about.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Are you absolutely sure those are Basil Cinnamon seedling? 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It might be hotter during the day but it won't be at night. A big fluctuation in temp can be detrimental to growth. A more consistent temp would be better.  :)

    I wondered about that too @Lyn, but it's not a variety I've grown. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I haven't either but I think they’re all quite similar, those have got very thin leaves. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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