Fortunately I found a cultivar that is fusarium resistant. Unfortunately, I had to buy a commercial quantity (like 20g, thats a lot of basil seed!), so I have lots of seed to swap.

I'd love some flowering plants or anything unusual really. Anyone got some decent climbing beans or banana passionfruit seeds?

cheers
Karl

How you doing? Im in Queensland and have a variety of seeds. I have however not had a problem with my basil that you are referring to so is it something og an environmental related problem I am wondering or quality of plants. I have a great pesto basil that hrows quite tall about 50-80cm tall with a more pesto type basil flavour its stronger and more potent i think personally as a cook and a gardener. I could send you seedlings as I have not mastered the art of collecting seed from basil plants.

Could you advise possibly on the collection of seeds from basil? how is it best done? When is it best done? Maybe knowledge could be best given to me.

As for a trade I have some snake beans that i hear a good climbing beans I personally have never grown them as it isn't practical for me at the moment. I have friends that have put them in the ground and have had much luck with them. I have a seeds for a beautiful climbing vine called the moonflower (Ipomea alba)which i obtained the seeds from someone on here who has been very reliable for good quality seed. In your seed collectiondo you have antyhing like dog rose or atropa belladonna or something that can be used in herbal teas etc like herbs lol to be more accurate. Maybe plants that you can eat etc. This is greatly my interest for herbal medicine.

If you want any pesto basil seedlings and can tell me how to collect the seed could you please email me at mrhoneycutt@internode.on.net. You can find me there. Any other herbs you interested in growing and are having a hard time loacating let me know too I have a few wonderful sources for picking up odds and ends.

Kind Regards

Belladonna

I have to be very hard with pruning to stop them flowering and setting seed. Once they do start setting seed they go very aniseedy in taste, which I don't like. They often look like a grasshopper plague has had a go at them when I'm finished but they spring back beautifully with lots of leaf. A little often is the rule for prunning them but when they get growing they are rampant and I can't usually keep up. Generally, I cut them back as needed for leaf production and then just let a couple go and cut the whole plant for seed before autumn sets in. The seeds are black and are prone to fall as they mature so cutting a whole plant and leaving it in a bucket to dry is my preferred way. Then with, gloves on, just crush the seed heads and use an old hairdrier or flyscreen to separate the seeds from the chaff. One plant gives more than enough seeds.

Are you growing basil in QLD as a winter crop? When do you normally put it in up there?

ciao
Karl

I have some really good yardlong beans (stickless wonder) if you are interested.

send me an email with your address.

Ciao
Karl

I've sent you an email.

The problem was I had not ticked the 'let other members send you an email' box in my profile. Sorry for the inconvenience

Ciao
Karl