Cloning Herbs - Basil, Mint and planting some Leek. Never buy them again!!!
Hello dear people, today we're going to clone some basil and some mint.
I never done this before with basil or mint but I've got a 100% success rate with another herb using this method so I'm convinced that this method will work.
On the market the other day we bought some fresh mint and basil. You don't see that many fresh herbs around here which has probably a lot to do with the climate. They were quite expensive as well so I decided to clone them and hopefully we don't have to buy them again.
Cloning is a great way to rejuvenate your plants as well. The other herb dies after flowering but by taking clones before they start flowering you can grow them forever. The clones that I'm talking about are already in their tenth generation and are almost 2 years old.
Basil and mint are not only very tasty but very healthy as well.
Here are some health benefits of basil:
- It fights cancer
Basil contains two antioxidants that fight free radical damage. It protects the DNA structure and the cells. The antioxidants protects the chromosomes from being altered which might result in cell mutation and cancer.
- It protects your heart
Basil contains essential oils that lower inflammation. Inflammation is the root of most diseases like heart disease. It also promotes healthy blood pressure.
- It makes you happy
Basil has a positive effect on our brain function by stimulating the neurotransmitters that regulate hormones which makes us happy.
- It helps your sex live
Probably by increasing blood flow and energy levels, basil can increase libido and arousal. In the Hindu religion, holy basil is seen as the "elixir of life" and it's used to promote healthy sexual functioning.
I use ordinary potting compost. I see people using rock-wool or expensive cloning cubes but I believe that's not necessary. A big advantage by using potting compost and using a fair sized pot that you don't have to transplant them immediately after rooting. And it's much cheaper.
Fill your plant containers and thoroughly water them.
Let them drain and slightly squeeze the compost to drain any excess water.
The compost must be firm and wet. Make a little hole about an inch deep.
Cut of a stem of basil and remove all but the top leaves. In this case the basil is flowering, I removed all the flowers.
Cut the stem at a 45 degree angle with a new, clean and sharp razor blade. The length of the cuttings are about 4 inches.
Immediately dip it in some rooting gel or rooting powder.
Immediately stick it into the compost. Press the compost around the stem.
Immediately put a plastic baggie over it and tie it with a rubber band.
Use a straw to keep the plastic bag up. You can also attach a label to the straw for info like species, date etc. Use the straw to blow up the plastic bag.
Store them in a light area but don't expose them to direct sunlight but this depends on where you live and the climate.
I put them under a grow light. Nowadays you can buy very powerful LED grow lights. The light spectrum of these lights are optimised for photosynthesis and flowering. They are not cheap and use a lot of electricity but they work really well.
Normally we use these lights for the other herb. We make medicinal oil that fights many diseases like cancer, epilepsy and diabetes. We sell it at cost prise to a professional acupuncturist and herbalist. The feedback that we get is very positive. It has cured or controls one young man's epilepsy for example. Maybe I'll write about this miracle oil, and how to make it, in the future.
Cloning mint works exactly the same. Take a cutting, remove all but the top leaves.
Cut it in a 45 degree angle. Put it in your rooting gel. Stick it into the compost and put a plastic baggie over it.
It's that simple.
Never buy leek or spring onion again. Ever!
Here we have some spring onion, the roots are still white and fresh. Cut away most of the plant and simply plant the base of the leek. The leek will continue to grow and you can keep cutting it back, Forever....
Time for a nice simple salad. Enjoy.
This cloning method has always worked for me. It's simple and cheap. I hope it will work for basil and mint as well. I'll keep you updated.
Thanks and much love,
Gardenbsquared
This is the kind of information i love to absorb fully :-) Never did the plastic thing, will definitely try that. Rooting powder is absolutely unfindable here, any idea what could replace it? Or what it actually is? I must say that i don't understand you have to be busy with cloning mint, it doesn't seem to die out in my garden, it's almost a pest, fat roots go everywhere, popping up everywhere. The leeks i also never tried so i am very happy you give me some try-out experiments for the coming days, love.
@bubke you can get rooting powder for only Rs200!
http://www.ebay.in/itm/282635307755?aff_source=Sok-Goog
Haha, nice, thanks but now i want to spit and using apple cider vinegar :-)
oh, Very Anastasia!
Thank you. The rooting powder and the gel both contain Indole-3-butyric acid. You might find this article interesting http://preparednessmama.com/natural-rooting-hormone/.
My mint all died during the rainy season. It was overgrown with weeds and completely drowned. My fault of course, so I was glad I found some on the market. You can probably just put in some water and it will root as well. Good luck experimenting.
Hey, i looked at that post, wonderful ideas, spitting sounds most fun, thanks :)
excellent comment @bubke
you seem to be a very busy guy in gardening... what do you grow actually... any issues in gardening and how did you solve them...
Oh no @kenhudoy, that is my partner :-) I have a nice growing spice garden and that's it. She is doing a lot of organic gardening but here and now on nonactive because we are going to move soon... I love to read on gardening so i have something to talk about with her after Steemit hours :-)
Good one... @bubke I know you hsvhave a good read from my blog about tips on organic poultry and gardening using eggshells and more coming up...check it out from my blog and ask any related questions... Keep steeming
Absolutely right @gardenbsquared, you did a great job of doing your basil and mint..
And it is a great vision,you dont need to buy them again at the super market. You can get your own basil and mint someday..worth is the wait..
Glad you share it here,many people would be aware about that.. EARNING AND LEARNING article..
GOD BLESS MY FRIEND!
Thank you. It's indeed worth waiting for and it's such a blessing when you do succeed. It's a pleasure to share.
Absolutly right,cheers...
Easily one of the best guides I've seen on cloning common veggies, on Steemit or elsewhere. I smiled when I saw the Clonex, because that's what I use for all of my clones as well.
You've inspired me to do a post about veggies you can regrow from kitchen scraps now...thanks! Followed and resteemed!
Yes it works very well. Thanks for the resteem.
GREAT post!!! I have bookmarked for future reference.
Great picture by picture instructions too- I do like that!
I have never heard of Clonex before. Where do you purchase it? I will definitely want to try this process
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i have my basil cut and propagating! Great way to bring back to life old plants really quickly!
Im curious what is the cover used for.? i never saw that before!
To keep the humidity as high as possible. I hope it will work. This is the first time for me trying to clone basil.
good luck! i have a feeling you will succeed!.. maybe just keep an eye on the mould with such a cover.. perhaps a few holes might help?
@gardenbsquared
you doing great mate. this kind of post here in steemit is quite educational and beneficial to the whole community. truly, basil and mint are not only tasty in dishes but very beneficial health wise... alking about gardening, do you use eggshells as gardening pots for seedlings? i did a detailed post on eggshells for both humans, pets and plants... talk a look as it might add to your wealth of knowledge... regards
I cloned my daughter
That's one way to promote oneself. LOL. Thanks for the resteem.
Umm... it was meant to say I had done those things.. sorry about that.
I meant no offence. Sorry about what? Don't worry mate. Cheers.
@gardenbsquared A great deal details thanks for sharing. Like it. Resteemed.
Thanks.
Very interesting post and love the photos. Well done!
Followed and looking forward to more!