@sayedhasnainshah3aqVNNwnP that’s good to hear. I’d definitely water if the compost is dry. Regarding feeding, I’ve never heard anything about needing a weak feed (although I could be wrong) and as far as I’m aware any normal strength nitrogen rich feed will be good for it. But do avoid potassium rich feeds as these encourage flowering which you don’t want.
Growing plants from seed is my favourite part of gardening. Hopefully you’ll find it very rewarding!
I've never fed basil, but that's because I sow seed and keep a regular harvest coming. However, with bought plants, it's best to keep splitting/repotting and if you're using a commercial compost, that has enough food to keep the plants going for a good while. The only problem now is, that with many of these products being so poor in their structure, many people are using their own mixes, and those may need a little help. A seaweed feed is better as it's good for foliage, but you could use anything really. If you want to make a feed yourself, you can collect nettles and soak them in a bucket of water, which produces a liquid you then dilute and use in the same way as the seaweed.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When harvesting I said "Pick off the top of the shoot down to a pair of leaves. It will then make sideshoots and grow sturdier and bushier." It depends how tall it is. Don't just leave 2 leaves behind. You want each leaf joint to make sideshoots.
You said "I tend to put water in, and drain the excess water that comes out of the pot and onto the saucer." Give it enough time to absorb the water in the saucer before draining. When compost is dry water runs straight through it without moistening it. If you leave the water in the saucer for a little while it will be sucked back up. Then empty the saucer if there is water left in it.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Indeed @Busy-Lizzie - it's a common mistake with watering any kind of pot, isn't it?
I think I was saying that to someone last night about a little wall pot they had. It's easy to think the plant doesn't need water because it's running through. I've just had to soak some little clay pots which have cerastium and dianthus in them because it's been so dry here. Never usually have to bother at all, and certainly not at this time of year.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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@sayedhasnainshah3aqVNNwnP that’s good to hear. I’d definitely water if the compost is dry. Regarding feeding, I’ve never heard anything about needing a weak feed (although I could be wrong) and as far as I’m aware any normal strength nitrogen rich feed will be good for it. But do avoid potassium rich feeds as these encourage flowering which you don’t want.
A seaweed feed is better as it's good for foliage, but you could use anything really. If you want to make a feed yourself, you can collect nettles and soak them in a bucket of water, which produces a liquid you then dilute and use in the same way as the seaweed.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You said "I tend to put water in, and drain the excess water that comes out of the pot and onto the saucer." Give it enough time to absorb the water in the saucer before draining. When compost is dry water runs straight through it without moistening it. If you leave the water in the saucer for a little while it will be sucked back up. Then empty the saucer if there is water left in it.
I think I was saying that to someone last night about a little wall pot they had. It's easy to think the plant doesn't need water because it's running through.
I've just had to soak some little clay pots which have cerastium and dianthus in them because it's been so dry here. Never usually have to bother at all, and certainly not at this time of year.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...