anyone here know anything about plants?

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
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How can I manipulate the fertilizer so as to make my plants shorter but bushier?
For example, my Basil is leggy, can I use fertilizer with less Nitrogen and reduce this?
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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i dunno... i managed to water my basil and it turned out alright.

of course, i did manage to kill my mint by not watering it the next summer (it rained a ton in june but not any in july, oops)
 

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
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Actually, proper pruning makes a bigger difference in how the plants grow than fertilizer does. If stuff gets leggy, it's because it's somewhat overgrown and the lower bits of the plant aren't getting enough light any more. Try cutting it back a little and see how it does. Remember not to do too much at once and cut at an angle (top of bush narrower than bottom) so that all parts of the plant get light.

Fausto
 

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
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<< This ladies and gentlemen is a guy with no worries in his life :D >>



hahahaa.. :D

yeah, when your problems include leggy basil.. i'd say you've got it pretty good.
 

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
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<< yeah, when your problems include leggy basil.. i'd say you've got it pretty good. >>


Sthay that again and we gardening mens will sthcratch your eyes out, beeeotch!;)

</me snaps fingers above head and sashays away to prune plants>

Fausto
 

308nato

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2002
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<< How can I manipulate the fertilizer so as to make my plants shorter but bushier?
For example, my Basil is leggy, can I use fertilizer with less Nitrogen and reduce this?
>>



Hmmm. Sounds to me like you want to keep your "Basil" at max yield while keeping the height under that of your fence. As Fausto said, pruning is your only option at this point. For the future you should look for a hybrid variety specifically designed for "shorter yet bushier".
A certain variety grown in Maui has this quality I think.
 

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
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<< Hmmm. Sounds to me like you want to keep your "Basil" at max yield while keeping the height under that of your fence. As Fausto said, pruning is your only option at this point. For the future you should look for a hybrid variety specifically designed for "shorter yet bushier".
A certain variety grown in Maui has this quality I think.
>>


What are you implying here? I'm confused.;)
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
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<< </me snaps fingers above head and sashays away to prune plants> >>


LOL, your plants must be doing pretty bad if you're growing prunes! Try watering them. (I wonder if he'll get this. :D)
 
Jan 18, 2001
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i think i seem to remember something from botany that suggests that plant shape is in part determined by the available nutrients, but can't remember any details. Fausto's advise is probably worth following b/f you get into soil analysis.
 

Fausto

Elite Member
Nov 29, 2000
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<< LOL, your plants must be doing pretty bad if you're growing prunes! Try watering them. (I wonder if he'll get this. ) >>


Oh no, you did not just sthay that! Girl! You done gone and got all up in my sthuff!

;)


Hehe...sorry. Sometimes I channel RuPaul. I'm weird like that.

Fausto
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
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It really is basil.
I grow stuff indoors with lights and hydroponics.
The problem is, when I read about something for "tomatoes" I always wonder if it really is for tomatoes, which I grow, or do they really mean pot?