20130112 - 4 months later - Second cutting - Tulsi growing step by step

Hare Krishna,

Its now been four months and since the first cutting Tulsi has grown enough to make the second cutting.

As you can see from the point of last cutoff she has grown two stems that now have 3 fully grown pairs of leaves and another two just starting to grow.
















This is the perfect time for cutting again. With cutting the rule is as follows 1, 2, 3 cut off. You always cut above three fully grown pairs of leaves.

If you didn't have time to cut her and she grows so fast that it has done 5 fully grown sets then cut after the fourth. You have to be sensible and not give her too much pain.

So here it is, on the right you can see I'm holding the third set of leaves above which I will cut the tip and offer it to Krsna.

About to cut it now.

Here she is. The tops are cut off and she will from this point make another branch out.

If you wander why is the rule 1, 2, 3 cut off it's simple.

If you look at the way pairs of leaves grow you will notice that each pair of leaves grows vertical from the previous pair (90 degrees difference).

Making next cut after the 3rd pair will make branch to spread vertically to the previous cut making Tulsi spreading her branches in beautiful symmetrical pattern.

Please note how her stem between the leaves is not perfectly straight. It is because I'm turning her around every day because in house she has light only from the window and at the end of the day her tops are always turned towards window.

If you forget to turn her she will grow only to one side and will be hard to straighten her after some time.

You can fix this only by transplanting her to new pot with adjustment of the soil to make her grow straight again.


Happy Tulsi growing!
 

20121209 - 3 months later - First transplanting - Tulsi growing step by step

Few weeks before first cutting I've notices our Tulsi has lost first few leaves from the bottom and I was wandering why.

I think I found the reason when I replenished some of the soil on top of our fully grown Tulsi with seeding mix soil.

What happened is that she suddenly stopped diving shoots, many leaves changed color into yellowish and started falling off.

I was thinking could I have over-watered her but it suddenly dawned on my that was the only thing out of the ordinary.

The seeding mix must have too much fertilizers in it and it just burned her same like it happens to us if we have too much chillies and don't take yogurt drink after.

She recovered after few weeks but that occurrence gave me the idea it might be the same thing happening to small Tulsis.

To test this I have transplanted two of Tulsi's and left one in the same soil I've planted her.

After about a month I noticed that Tulsi's that are transplanted grow faster than the one left in the seeding mix (couple of centimeters taller) so I've transplanted her today and she will soon catch up with the others.

 


Here are the pictures of the transplanting process:

Water the Tulsi the evening before or at least couple of hours before transplanting.

Gently turn her upside down holding her body between your fingers not to let her fall down and get her injured.

Let the soil gently crumble away from her roots. Do not force it. the soil attached to her roots should not be moved and her roots should not be damaged. If you gently roll the soil in your hand always holding the stem of her body the excess soil will fall away.























 

When you finish only the last little bit of soil around the roots should be left and you then simply place her in the same pot adding fresh organic soil mix around her roots holding her at desired height in the pot.

At the end you need to water her to the point of run off and replenish some more soil to the top as the soil tends to fall in after watering.

When you finish she should be looking same as before but with fresh soil around her roots helping her grow stronger and greener.



Sri Tulsi Devi Ki Jaya!

20121209 - 3 months later - First cutting - Tulsi growing step by step

I have to apologize to all the Tulsi growers checking out this blog for not posting for some time.

Too many things happening in my life ;) (good things of course).

So lets get back to writing. Here it is, after about 3 months our Tulsi has grown so big we can make the first cutting and offering to Krsna.

As you can see before you make a first cutting Tulsi should have at least three fully developed pair of leaves.

Cut just above a pair of leaves being careful not to damage the new shoots coming just above the stem of leaves.

To cut the tip of new leaves you need sharp scissors. Best ones are the scissors used for embroidery found in most supermarkets in Australia for around $5.

These are best because they are really sharp and pointy so you can be precise in cutting and give her a least amount of pain possible.

When picking Tulasi leaves, chant the following mantra:

tulasy amrta janmasi
sada tvam kesava-priya
kesavartham cinomi tvam
varada bhava sobhane

"O Tulasi, you were born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Kesava. Now, in order to worship Lord Kesava, I am collecting your leaves and manjaris. Please bestow your benediction on me."

After you have finished you need to chant the following Mantra:

 cayanodbhava-duhkham ca

yad hrdi tava vartate

tat ksamasva jagan-matah

vrndi-devi namo 'stu te

"O Tulasi devi, I offer my respectful ofeisances unto you. Kindly forgive me if I have caused you pain my picking your leaves and manjaris, o mother of the universe."