Purple Basil in flower

[TAC2983]

I have grown some Purple Basil this year, along with my normal Basil, its brought an exciting twist to my salads and cooking with the more peppery taste!

My question is, can I harvest seeds once I have finished for the season in the UK, would it just be a case of letting the flowers stay on and go to seed... finally, will they cross pollinate with my Green Basil if they are in close proximity?

Picture of the flower for reference!

 

[Meadowlark]

Basil seeds are easy to harvest. The brown, papery husks that form on the flower stem contain the seeds. You want to let those fully mature before harvesting.

Some folks remove the seeds from the husks...but I prefer leaving them in as shown. I think the husks give some added protection to the seed inside. I find the seed will germinate just fine in my climate.

Yes, basil will and often does cross pollinate with a different variety of basil near-by.

 

[DiggersJo]

I have grown some Purple Basil this year, along with my normal Basil, its brought an exciting twist to my salads and cooking with the more peppery taste!

My question is, can I harvest seeds once I have finished for the season in the UK, would it just be a case of letting the flowers stay on and go to seed... finally, will they cross pollinate with my Green Basil if they are in close proximity?

Picture of the flower for reference!

superb specimen !

 

[TAC2983]

Thank you both, I will give this a go!

 

[Gemma]

I love purple Basil, I'm not sure why I only grown it once

 

[Meadowlark]

I love purple Basil, I'm not sure why I only grown it once

Me either

 

[Ginger with Roots]

Basil seeds are easy to harvest. The brown, papery husks that form on the flower stem contain the seeds. You want to let those fully mature before harvesting.

Some folks remove the seeds from the husks...but I prefer leaving them in as shown. I think the husks give some added protection to the seed inside. I find the seed will germinate just fine in my climate.

Yes, basil will and often does cross pollinate with a different variety of basil near-by.

View attachment 116720

Did you strip the stem with your fingers and that's the pile on the right? And then do you store the pile of husks/seeds in an envelope or container? I'm trying to be more proactive and save seeds this season...

 

[Esther Knapicius]

There are about 8 Types of Basil, lovely using a few for different flavor profiles.

 

[Meadowlark]

Did you strip the stem with your fingers and that's the pile on the right? And then do you store the pile of husks/seeds in an envelope or container? I'm trying to be more proactive and save seeds this season...

No, I striped the seeds from another stem so that I could show you a stem before stripping intact.

I store mine in small brown paper bags but if it is a large amount sometimes store in mason jars. Store in a cool, dark, dry location.

 

[Ginger with Roots]

Thank you for clarifying. I will give this a go!

 

[Meadowlark]

Let us know how it turns out for you.