Cultivation and Care of Tulasī Devī

Transplanting

1. Your Tulasī plant, if she is healthy and growing, will at some point require a larger pot.
2. Examine the bottom of her pot. If her roots are pushing out of the drainage hole, she may need to be transplanted.
3. Water her and allow her to drain completely. Then, with her stem between your index and middle fingers, and your palm on the soil at the base of the stem, turn her pot upside down.
4. Rap the rim of the pot on the edge of a table. The entire Tulasī plant should move out of the pot.
5. Examine her roots. If they do not fill the pot, so that the rootball is in the shape of the pot, just replace her in the same pot.
6. But if the roots do fill the soil area of the pot, she should be transplanted.
7. When Tulasī looks too large for her pot and she wilts between regular waterings, it is then beyond the right time for transplanting.
8. When it is time to transplant, select a pot that is one or two sizes larger than her present one. However, if it is past the time for transplanting and Tulasī has greatly outgrown her pot, use a pot that is larger than two sizes, about one third to one half of her plant height.
9. Do not plant in a larger-than-needed size pot because the excess soil in it will retain too much water and cause problems in Tulasī’s root development.
10. Use a pot made of unglazed clay which has a drainage hole. The unglazed clay permits air to move through the sides of the pot (Do not use plastic pots or glazed-clay pots).
11. Do not transplant under strong, hot sunshine. Do it when the weather is cool and overcast or after four p.m., and always protect Tulasī from drying winds.
12. Here is how to transplant her:
    • a. Plunge the new clay pot in water till it ceases bubbling.
    • b. Place broken pottery chips over the drainage hole to prevent the soil from flowing out of the bottom of the pot. But do not block it completely-water must drain out. A layer of gravel may be placed on the bottom of large pots.
    • c. Place an adequate amount of soil on the bottom of the new pot.
    • d. If possible, carefully separate and straighten any roots that are twisted in circles; then gently lower her into her new pot, keeping her straight and upright.
    • e. Add new soil all around her and tamp it gently.
    • f. The soil level should be the same as her previous level.
    • g. If her soil level is lower than the previous level, her roots will become exposed and rot; if it is higher, her stem may rot.
    • h. Between the soil level and the top of the pot, always leave a one-half inch to one-inch space. This is to allow for watering.
13. Water her fully and place her in a shady place for a few days. After this period, you can place her in the direct sunlight again.
14. The next time you water her should be when the soil is dry, for the new pot contains a substantial amount of reserve water.