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03-31-2016, 04:22 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2014
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Location: Bay Area, CA
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@No-Pro This picture is as close to real color as I could get given the lighting situation and terrible camera! I even got the little ribbing in the throat of the flowers! Also, I thought this one was intermediate/warm growing. .__. Most dens are except for some of the aussie dens and latouria types that I throw in mostly direct sun. I bought this from a small vendor in the Bay Area, and he said it grows/blooms well as long as it gets as much light and water as it can... maybe there's hope for you yet?
@u bada Then I must be something strange. Someone needs to teach me how to grow herbs. I've killed a majority of my basil plants from seed as well as thyme and mint plants. I don't get it!  Maybe it's because I use them too much? I don't know... but I can grow orchids...
If you're in the market for an aggregatum but without the space, you can try D. jenkinsii, the miniature version of it. Smaller spikes but super cute and compact.
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04-01-2016, 02:01 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2016
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Actually jenkinsii is the one I essentially want, even have it sourced already, just a matter of time...
Herbs should be easy, especially where you're at... only catch is they need as much light as possible out there. Windowsills have got to be direct east, West windows, or somewhat shaded south. The peat based potting mixes you buy them in suck, you have to get something a bit more composted and neutral. Keep things evenly moist... but thyme is a dry growing plant and can be stuck outside in heat and whatever conditions and such. Mint is like a weed, not sure why that's a challange for anyone. and basil is really seasonal, so don't feel bad about that, needs more shading than others, should do well for you on a not too bright windowsill.
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04-01-2016, 12:05 PM
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Well never say never. I also haven't tried any mounts as I am not sure I could handle that either. I have small pots I have to water every day so a mount?? It just seems like most people have this kind on a mount but a pot maybe?
Thanks for the herb lesson. I didn't know basil needed less light. Could be why I haven't had the best of luck with it. I have a rosemary plant I have had for 2 years. I put it outside in the summer. It bloomed for me this winter. But basil and parsley I have to start new ones as they tend to start seeding out.
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04-01-2016, 12:47 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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Basil is a hot-weather, full-sun annual. It luxuriates in full Arizona summer sun all day long if watered well. I keep a deep dish to hold water under my summer basil pot so it can go longer between waterings.
As normally sold, multiple seedlings in peat moss, it almost always dies, because the plant uses so much water it dries out the soil in less than a day, and dry peat moss is almost impossible to rewet. So the owner waters the pot, but it runs around the outside of the root ball, never wetting it. Don't buy basil plants; always start from seed.
I've always been surprised it isn't used here as a summer landscape annual, since there are so few of these that tolerate our summers - Vinca, Lisianthus, Angelonia, sweet potatoes are about it. Maybe because it won't tolerate forgetting to water, and the others above will. If you let it dry out you will have a dead plant with dried whole basil leaves.
You can take cuttings of branches that aren't making flowers yet, root them in water in a sunny window, and plant them out. This is how some people keep basil over the winter. I have also rooted sprigs of Thai basil from restaurants this way.
Here people plant seeds directly where they are to grow, when it's good and warm, usually April or May. Then we keep them damp to wet and stand back. It often comes back from seed on its own. It's almost impossible not to succeed unless you forget to water.
If you're starting them in the house they probably don't get enough heat and light to do well. In this situation they're very prone to damping off and mildew. So just wait until it's good and hot, and plant them in a pot of wet soil outdoors in full sun. It's hard to go wrong if you do this.
They handle wind during our storms, but I don't know what would happen in your constant winds.
Last edited by estación seca; 04-01-2016 at 12:49 PM..
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04-01-2016, 01:10 PM
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Well, I'll take estacion seca's word for it... here in LA their leaves burn pretty easily, so I would at least say they do fine in part shade as well, but will be forthright it trying it in full sun and heat... but do want to emphasis they are seasonal and look like crap after they flower and the flavor is reduced... but others thyme, rosemary, oregano... so many do prefer full sun and can handle heat and live on and on (oregano goes dormant in winter). Parsley is seasonal at best and is best grown cool season, however.
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04-01-2016, 06:29 PM
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I usually get the started plant as we have such a short season here. I'm going to try the water in the saucer as I water them every day but in such a small pot they do dry out fast. I try and put them up against the house so the wind doesn't get to them to bad.
And the parsley it will take some freezing weather. I leave it out for a long time.
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04-01-2016, 08:54 PM
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Beautiful! 
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04-02-2016, 01:49 AM
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Haha. You guys are great! I can pretty much get rosemary and mint around the neighborhood for free since they're grown as hedges. I put my basil seeds into something akin to gritty mix with heavy watering, but they never have much vigor. Even with great sun and temps. It's just all the pinterest kitchen herb gardens look so easy and then everything just withers away!  Maybe I'll try it outside at my parent's house as an experiment! Thanks for all the tips.  :
I just find it interesting that I can grow orchids but not the easy stuff. :'( More to learn, I guess!
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04-02-2016, 02:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theloyalplum
Haha. You guys are great! I can pretty much get rosemary and mint around the neighborhood for free since they're grown as hedges. I put my basil seeds into something akin to gritty mix with heavy watering, but they never have much vigor. Even with great sun and temps. It's just all the pinterest kitchen herb gardens look so easy and then everything just withers away!  Maybe I'll try it outside at my parent's house as an experiment! Thanks for all the tips.  :
I just find it interesting that I can grow orchids but not the easy stuff. :'( More to learn, I guess!
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When I lived in SF, people though hot meant over 72 F / 22C. Basil think hot means over 85 F / 30C. Put it against a wall so it gets more heat.
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04-04-2016, 01:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by u bada
really amazing... great culture and/or fortune! I love this and it's group of dens very much but scared of them...appreciate your history and care details! Maybe i'll give them a try this year...
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Great growing and very beautiful!
For U bada, you should give this a try. I have one that is spiking now and I grow it outside year round.
The trick is to leave it alone from late Nov to Mar, early April. They can withstand our winter temps down to 48 or so. I don't bother watering them in the winter, just let the rain takes care of watering. Actually, if it rains too much, I pull it inside. It will shrivel and look desperate but without this abuse, it won't flower.
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