Update on Seeds Sown

What happened to the seeds that I have sowed recently? Some grew speedily (i.e. Sunflower, Water Convolvulus, Basil, Adenium), slowly (i.e. Marigold) and some showed no sign of sprouting at all (Coleus). And I have one seedling that I am not certain of its identity. It seemed like the capsicum that has sprouted...but I have doubts as I had earlier sowed Coleus seeds in that pot. Furthermore, the capsicum seeds in other pots have not sprouted yet. Cross my fingers...if it's the capsicum...ha ha...my wish has come true!

Sunflower

Water Convolvulus (Kangkung)

Basil

Adenium

Marigold

No clue

Growth Progress of Thai Basil

In August, I posted how I got my Thai Basil to root. Today I am glad to share with all of you how much that the Basil plant has grown. From the stem cutting that I placed in water and allow them to root, I now have a pot of lush Thai Basil plant.

Thai Basil Rooting

My 2 pots of Thai & Lemon basil that I have earlier blogged about had died on me!! I don't know why basils under my care just don't survive long. I have attempted to grow basil many times. These 2 pots are the ones that lasted longest.

I don't even prune them for fear of killing them. But now I realize that may be my mistake. They were growing lushly and I couldn't consume them fast enough. Due to the hot weather, the leaves gradually browned and at the end what was left in the pot were dried stems. My heart breaks into pieces as I see they get sick from day to day. I was so helpless. I don't know what I could do to make them survive. It really pained me to see their lives finally came to an end.

That's the frustrating part of gardening ~ when my plants fall sick, I can't go to a doctor and get them some healing potion for cure. The same happened to my Gardenia. Just by looking at its yellowish leaves, I knew it was sick. But I didn't know what to do to improve its condition. Eventually, all its leaves dropped off and all its branches dried up!!! I almost cried coz I love that pot of Gardenia.

Recently, I bought some basil from the Kakak in SS15 market and after taking the leaves I kept the stem. I have seen Blur Ting placed her lemon grass in a vase with some water in her posting on Lemon Grass and they rooted. Thus, I tried the same by putting the remaining basil stems into some water.

Guess what? After 2 days, some of the stems showed sign of rooting.

I have placed all the stems with roots into soil and cross my fingers that they will grow well.

Selasih (Basil) Seed

After a short drizzle, I went out to the garden to check my plants. I found a basil seed on the dried flowers. And that's a selasih seed. I love drinking air bandung with selasih seed. But I didn't know those selasih seed actually comes from the basil plant! Do you know this?

Basil (My Herbs Garden Series)

I love cooking with basil. I first had the taste of basil when dining in a Thai restaurant. Basil is widely used in Thai cuisine, e.g. in green curry, basil fried chicken/squid.

It is not easy to find basil being sold in the herbs section of our supermarkets. Even in the Subang Jaya SS15 wet market, it was not sold until recently where one stall carries this herb. I used to drive down to PJ Old Town Market to buy it. It was quite a hassle to cook with basil until I got my own plant. My several early attempts in planting basil failed as they wilted due to too much of heat from the sun.

Two months ago, my close friend from Bukit Rimau, Chooi, who has many basil plants growing in her garden gave me two big bunch. These two bunches grow very well and lush. I am so happy that these days I could just go over to my garden and pluck some basil whenever I need them.

Two weeks ago, I got a pot of lemony-fragrant basil from Danny who owns a booth selling potted plants in Amcorp Mall's Flea Market. Please see the photo below. I am not sure what variety of basil is this.

Photo #1 & #2: Basil - Type 1 (I think it is called Thai Basil)

From my past failures in planting basil, I learnt that basil likes well-drained soil and not too much of direct sun. I keep my basil plants under the shade of my taller plants. This protect it from the scorching heat that we are experiencing lately. I also water it twice a day ~ in the morning and evening. Sometimes when the sun is too hot, I find my basil leaves drooped. A quick watering is required in order to save the plant from wilting.

Basil can be planted from seeds or stem-cutting. Keep the seeds found from the flowers. Sow them on the soil. In no time, you can find small shoots growing.

Photo #3 & #4: Basil - Type 2 (I think it is called Lemon Basil)

Its leave has a tinge of refreshing lemon smell. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thai Basil Chicken is one of my favourite recipes, using basil. It is a simple dish to prepare. I am glad to share the recipe of this dish. Try it out and let me know if you like it.

Some of the ingredients used for Thai Basil Chicken

Ingredients: A few bunches of basil, bird's eye chillies, capsicum, diced chicken fillet, minced garlic, corn flour, soya sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, chicken powder. (I don't use measurements in my cooking. Just an estimate of the quantity, depending on your tastebud.)

Method:

1. Mix diced chicken fillets with soya sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, chicken powder & corn flour & marinade for 20 mins.

2. Slice capsicum. Cut bird's eye chillies into two.

3. Heat up oil. Put in bird's eye chillies. Fry till fragrant. Add garlic. Continue frying. When garlic is fragrant, add marinated diced chicken fillets. Fry till chicken is fragrant and the sauce caramelized (due to the added sugar). The chicken will taste better this way. Then add capsicum slices. Do not fry too long as to retain the crunchiness of the capsicum slices.

4. Lastly, add basil. Remove and serve.

The steam from the basil chicken fogged my camera lens.

Delicious Thai Basil Chicken

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My archive collection of an article on Basil - King of Savoury Herbs by Dr. Chew Boon Hock, taken from Flavours magazine, Issue May - June 2003. Please click on the photos below to link you to a bigger image.