rooting station with Thai basil cuttings
Thai basil is savory and spicy and pairs well with beef or chicken. We like it in Pad Kra Pao (Thai basil beef). My whole family LOVES it. Medicinally, it promotes better digestion and is also anti-cancer, anti-viral, antibacterial, and antifungal.
Since the sweet and often generous Korean lady closed her shop, I only have one store where I can get it. It is a bit of a drive, so I don't get there often. I have grown it, but it takes so long to harvest. Rooting the cuttings will cut the time down considerably. I am also experimenting with dehydrating it to see if it will still be OK when cooking.
I use hydrogen peroxide in the water to help facilitate rooting. I also use a rooting hormone extract made from our poplar tree. You can make your own with willow or poplar cuttings. Place the chopped tender (green) cuttings in water in a clear jar. Then set the jar in a sunny window for a few days and it is ready to go to work for you.
After I take the cuttings I plan to root, I dip them in a watered-down honey and cinnamon solution that helps kill bacteria and fungus. It is 1 tbsp honey to 1 cup water with about 1/8 tsp cinnamon.
I have six sets of the nifty test tube jars for rooting. I am an Amazon affiliate and that is an Amazon affiliate link. I earn a very small commission if you click the link and make a purchase.
