[Russell Atterbury]

12 days ago my indoor seed tray of Basil germinated quite well, but for a good week now the seedlings have been stuck at the same height with just the 2 first leaves. I get them out into sun whenever possible, but the last few days have been iffy. Can anyone tell me if it is normal for Basil to be slow at first.

[JayG]

Most plants have to pause immediately after they break through the surface to develop the roots to provide the nutrients and water for the shoots and leaves to come, and of course at this stage there is very little photosynthesis taking place to make food for the plant.

This is especially true for very tiny seeds (like Basil) which have virtually no food reserves to help out - plants with much larger seeds (like runner beans) barely pause at all in my experience.

[Russell Atterbury]

Thank you JayG, your explanation seems like flawless logic. These are the first small seeds I have tried, so please excuse my inexperience.

[JayG]

These are the first small seeds I have tried, so please excuse my inexperience.

There isn't a single person on the planet who didn't start off that way! 

[Eugene]

I've been growing basil for a few years now, It can be a little slow to get going, but it will. I find it does best in a slightly humid environment. I've grown it on an arid kitchen windowsill and the sun has dried and bleached its leaves quite badly, so sticking it in full sun perhaps isn't the best thing. The most success I've had with it was in a large terracotta pot, positioned under the shade of a tree receiving morning sun only. It grew like wildfire until around the end of September.

Good luck.

[Russell Atterbury]

Again I thank the people for replying. I think I might have been lucky for the last week then, because of the general low sunlight. I have a tree that takes morning sun, and starting tomorrow I will give it a go in that position.

[Carlh80]

Glad I read this post as I am at the exact same stage as Russell. Good to know. Seems I’m going to have to learn some patience.
Also so it’s not a good idea to keep the seedlings on a window for the sun?