How do I get seeds from my basil plants?

If you have several kinds of basil or the near neighbors have a different type of basil your seeds may be cross pollinated between two types so the seeds will not breed true being hybrids. This is not always bad but the next generation of basil may be very different from the plants you have this year as a result.

Flowers have an ovary that holds the ovum (eggs). Once fertilized, seeds mature where the flower was because, though the petals drop, the ovary develops.

To reduce chances of cross pollination between basil be sure there is 50 - 100 feet between different types of basil. Or pinch one variety so the other can flower and be fertilized. Once flowering is complete allow the pinched basil to set flowers at a later time. Be sure you have left at least 6 weeks until the first frost to allow time for the seeds to mature. If an early frost catches you out cut the flower stems and put them in a glass of water iindoors to finish maturing. If the seed pods have at least started changing color, you can usually get some seeds.

Save only seeds from the individual plants that offer the best flavor and aroma. This will improve your strain as long as they have not been cross pollinated.

Blossoms on the spikes mature once fertilized and the petals drop. The green pod carpels remain and contain the seeds. These pods turn brown as the seeds mature.

To harvest seeds strip the stem of carpels into a bowl then rub the carpels to open them. Basil seeds are small, round and very nearly black. Let the seed sit to finish drying. They must be dry or they may mildew in storage. Seeds do best stored cool & dry.

Parsley sets seed the second year so if space is not limited save two or three plants to set seed.

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginfo.html

All herbs will carry out greater advantageous interior the floor quite than in pots, and maximum desire a stable volume (5hrs+) of direct solar. i do no longer propose seeds for novices. Herb seed could be very spotty and which could discourage novices. picking flora from a shop is high quality. To that factor, do no longer purchase something it extremely is flowering or has greater advantageous than a pair of yellowed stems or leaves. in case you may, ease the plant out of its little pot and study the roots. in case you notice a mass of thin, white roots, you have a stable plant no count what the leaves/perfect of the plant appears like. in case you haven't any longer something yet soggy yellowed roots (or in case you notice no roots), do no longer purchase it. Soil demands are minimum for herbs, yet they nevertheless want stable drainage. in case you have a heavy clay soil, plant on mixing in coir or compost (any sort) into the spots you decide directly to plant. otherwise, amending the soil won't be needed. different factors: place them so as that they are able to get AM solar if achieveable; the faster the greater advantageous. Coriander can tolerate some shade and cool, so it could flow interior the floor a lot previous to basil.