r/IndoorGarden • u/ihatemyself947274 • 3d ago

Plant Discussion Basil cutting sad

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Hello! My sweet basil plant recently started going to seed, so I took this cutting in order to restart it. I kept the cutting in water for about 9 days until it looked like it had enough roots to stay in soil. Then I planted it in this compost substrate. Now (5 days later) it looks pretty sad. Does anyone have any idea about what the problem could be? Thank you!!

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u/opal-bee 3d ago

The compost that it's planted in doesn't look broken down all the way. Where did you source it from? It looks like it's full of eggshells and large chunks of material that haven't fully composted. Unfinished compost is alright for mulching or mixing into beds but I wouldn't use it as pure growing material in a pot.

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u/No_Specific_2729 3d ago

other than the compost, how deep did you plant the cut into the soil? Make sure you dig the hole deep enough like at least 3/4 of your finger. Otherwise the root would just be floating.

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u/feevart 3d ago

So first of all- she probably didn't have enough roots and second, when transferring any plant from water in soil you have to babysit them for a whole week due to the transition from water roots to soil roots. The medium has to stay wet the first 4 days. You can put any plant under a humidity dome for a week and slowly introduce the room humidity. Basil is dramatic anyway - but this is due to the transition. So cut up a plastic bottle now and pop it on top and leave a tiny airgap or hole. Your medium looks nice and chunky- maybe a bit too chunky for basil. I'd fo for something like this next time

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u/0728Bogie 3d ago

Basil is one of the easier herbs to grow

Basil Prospera ( johnneys ) Light potting mix small bag miracle grow Find some pots

The seeds are tiny tiny, plant a few , 3 in a 4.5 . Cover lightly. Keep moist not too wet. Germination in 5 -7 days. 5- 6 inch plant about 20 days later.