I’m a professional gardener – here’s why supermarket basil always dies… but there’s an easy fix
A GARDENING teacher has revealed the tried and tested way to prevent supermarket basil from prematurely dying.
Patrick Vernuccio, 38, took to Instagram to provide a solution to wilting basil to his half a million followers.
Coining the phenomenon ‘Basil Trauma’, Patrick – known by his handle thefrenchiegardener – assures shoppers that the herb‘s premature demise is not their fault.
He said: “This has nothing to do with you!
“This supermarket basil is simply not designed to grow further, it has way too many plants for such a small pot.
“It is absolutely normal that it can’t grow more and eventually dies.”
So is there anything we can do to prolong the leafy herb’s life?
Happily, there is.
To begin with, as Patrick instructs, take the basil out of the provided pot and apportion it into five separate, smaller pots.
Then, line the bottom of a 1.5l pot with clay beads and pad with some fresh soil. From there, make a small hole in the middle, add the plant, and then some water.
Another option for those lacking space is to create an entirely new basil plant.
Patrick explains the seamless process.
He said: “You can also cut the stem right under a node, remove the lower leaves, take a small cup and add some water, place in your basil stem and in a few days, it will develop new roots.’
“Take a pot with fresh soil and replant your basil stem.”
Many applauded Patrick for his expert tips.
One said: “Your video tutorial couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect time.
“I’m going to do exactly what you suggested.
“Thank you so much for all your tips.”
Another joked: “And I thought basil trauma was from Fawlty Towers.
“Great advice as always my green friend.”