From MJS--"we are after all women...and you KNOW how women are about Chocolate...;-)"
Chocolate Basil? Still searching...
I have an offer----
I have been growing CB for 3 years now and have collected many seeds--Since it is a hybrid I cannot guarantee that the seed will "grow true" It might produce the Hershey variety or the Nestle variety.
However; I will send each of you seeds for free---if you will simply send me a SASE with only $400 cash inside for return postage,
Our own very dear vortrekker, We have already told you after buying the Brooklyn Bridge from you,that there will be no more sales from or to your direction.
The naked ermine did'nt work out too good either.Neither did the chickens that layed square eggs.
LOL! You don't know when to quit.
I love a good research challenge, but, alas, seem to be coming up empty-handed in the chocolate basil department. I did find this article, speculating on its potential as an urban myth: http://www.herbcompanion.com/gardening/is-chocolate-basil-an-urban-myth.aspx/--but I'm thinking the Sasquatch Theory, known in research circles as the SCBHH aka the Sasquatch Chocolate Basil Hunt Hypothesis, is much more plausible. I also went to www.godwincreekgardens.com and typed in 'chocolate basil' in the search engine and got:
"Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’
Eupatorium ‘Chocolate’
Price: $4.95 ea.
Weight: 0.55
Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’
herbaceous perennial
Height and Width: 4' x 2'
Zone: 4-9
Similar to Eupatorium rugosum, but the stems and leaves are reddish purple and the plant shorter. Small, white flowers contrast well to the dark foliage. A real standout in the perennial garden."
Which is all very interesting, but it's not sounding like basil to me.
LOL! I bit that ad too and my heart went pitty pat.but as you said no CB.
cando--forgot to mention--I have some left over square eggs for sale--chocolate of course.
Foxnfirefly--Why do I get the feeling that you and cando1 do not trust me?
Of course!!! LOL
cando1--what the heck is a "naked ermine"? Did I sell you one?
Germination of the Chocolate Basil seed is tricky.
It must first pass through the intestinal tract of an Ermine. (A naked Ermine gives 30% better germination)
I have only one Ermine left. It is expensive but it it lays square eggs that are chocolate flavored and have Basil seeds embedded.
For a measly $300 buck extra I will shave it naked.
You should have see VOERTRAKER shaving Bigfoot. He got a black eye ad 2 broken ribs. Big foot only has one shaven leg.
This thread is sooo funny.
I've shorn llamas and alpacas, that must at least be close to shaving a Yeti. My guess is that it involves more green spit and an equal amount of dodging kicks, but who knows? LOL
Don't make me laugh---my ribs hurt too bad.
I KNOW....I KNOW....I'm a sucker. The temptation was simply too great and i googled chocolate basil again.The devil made me do it.
I got a new hit.Link folows
http://www.herbcompanion.com/uncategorized/in-basket-may-2010.aspx
Could it possibly be true that this person actually got Choc. Basil, somewhere in Ohio, was it?"?. Has anyone gone further to call there or fly there to see if it's really true???? I'm gasping with expectation. Does it count for anything that I just got Choc. Mint at the So.Cal. RU. What a silly question????
I wish, but guess i expect it to be another fable. but had to post it.
Vickie
I emailed this nursery a few weeks ago. They say chocolate basil is an urban myth.
I figured herbalBetty.Oh Well
I think people have confused chocolate mint with chocolate basil. Although, when I first emailed that nursery, one person said they received "it" by accident last year. Then, I asked again and was told it was an urban myth.
note to self: find that darned old chocolate basil and make a million dollars
I will be cross-pollinating chocolate mint with basil this year for sure. LOL
you'll be able to retire if your sucessful...
mean while I have little Purple Ruffles seedlings coming up with a Hersey bar wrapper sitting in front of them...hoping they'll be like little birds....first thing they see they think is their "momma"
Great minds think alike. I think I should eat chocolate while I'm pollinating.
LOL to Celene and that mjs person-----just lurking--hoped I was gone did you not?--No such luck.
Helped my cousin shave one of his Llamas the other day--it was tough but not nearly as tough as shaving Bigfoot or a squimin' Ermin
opps--"squirmin"
I kinda liked squimmin. Sounds a little like shaving a swimmin ermine What could be easier?
You are totally off track with the natural chocolate.I have the answer. We take a little chocolate and a little basil to a genetics lab. Pay some dude off and have him(or her) do some test tube magic and we'll have our chocolate basil. Then we'll have Frankenstien as well as big foot following us around.LOL
That sounds like a plot for a 1950's horror movie...gardeners unknowingly employ an evil mad scientist who looses the monster FRANKENBASIL onto the world. Giant brown basil stomps through the streets, angry mobs threatening it with blenders and pesto-fication...
LOL--LOL
LOL
I especially like the term "pestofication." I will have to figure out how to work that one into casual conversation...
Well, my basil is starting to grow. I've kept a chocolate bar next to the starter pots and have been watering with weak chocolate water. I have a large dog guarding the pots also. Will keep you posted.
Critter, Marti gave the perfect description of pestofication.
"I am using the newest method of pestofication for my basil this year."
Marti, If your big dog is like my big dog. That chocolate bar will disapear down his throat the minute your back is turned.
FYI
Headline -5/1/2010
Dallas Morning news
Frakinbasil and Loch Nestle yesterday signed an agreement to form an alliance to defend themselves from pestofication by some nuts from Ohio and the land of Ozone.
It is reported that serious negotiations are underway with Bigfoot to also join the alliance. If he agrees then it is widely rumored that the the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa would also follow suit.
mjsponies was curiously absent from the negotiations.
The ICBP (International Chocolate Basil Press) is following this story.
We will keep you updated.
cantor, I've trained that dog not to touch chocolate. He's real smart. He knows he will get a nice, big juicy steak if he leaves the chocolate alone.
I'm teaching my big dog to sniff out chocolate basil, like a truffle pig.
Loch Nestle, I'm dyin' over here.
I consulted the chocolatier at the market where I sell soap, he's intrigued by chocolate basil, but oddly doesn't find it as humorous as I do. How odd...
Celene, Does your chocolatier maybe have some chocolate basil seeds stashed away and is very serious about keeping it hid?
Yes folks we have to be paranoid in this situation.
I love loch Nestle too.
My dog is a good dog too. He's just addicted to chocolate.LOL
He has no chocolate basil seed, or I'd have found some way to make him give them up. LOL
My basil seeds are sprouting!!!! I keep a fresh chocolate bar next to them and continue to water with a slightly stronger chocolate water mix.
Marti, Are the leaves chocolate colored and do they smell like chocolate? I know you must be on to something great.
Will you remember how i incouraged you when you become rich and famous?
I'm the one with Bigfoot, Miss Bear and all the little bearfeet,