The flowers are an indication that the plant is now bolting. Re,move all of them daily as it will help build side branches. If left on, the plant simply lets all energy go to flower and seed production, then leaves die off. Unusual to see basil flowering so early in Z6, unless yours are greenhouse grown. lso plant in big 10 inch port or larger, or direct into garden. Suggest that you do a search in this forum for info so common like what you asked. Just a few days ago, someone posted the same question, and got the same answers. It just makes for more redundancy here.

Im new to herbs, but ive been on gardenweb for well over 6 years. Im well aware of the redundancy issue. Sometimes with all the redundancy, in the replies other information is passed. It was a simple question I asked thats all. Thanks for the help, ill be sure not to ask any more redundant questions to waste peoples time....-Cassie

The question of whether to allow basil to flower is contentious (at least on this forum!). Some people will tell you that the flower goes 'off' if the plant is allowed to flower. I (and others) will tell you that it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference.

My basils are in constant flower, from the time they are tiny new cuttings. If I cut off the flowers, I'd be at it almost constantly. Frankly, I have better things to do! The only time(s) I cut off the flowers is when rain is coming - those flowers make the plant very top-heavy, and when it rains, the weight of them causes the plant to become prostrate, in the process breaking off branches.

So a good haircut with a hedge-trimmer prevents this from happening. It also encourages the plant to become more bushy. Mind you, in my subtropical climate, my basils get much larger than those grown in a milder climate - a pruning provides mulch for a thick covering over quite a large area, in my garden!

I like the flowers of basil. They attract bees to the garden, which is a very good thing. And they're pretty (and edible). I'd worry about them only if you find the plant is becoming straggly and woody - a sure indication that pruning is needed, or that winter is approaching and the plant is about to die - it's an annual, after all.

If your climate is mild or cool, cut the flowers off, but don't be obsessive about it. Do a taste test before and after, and see for youself whether you think the flavour is affected or not. Frankly, I doubt if you could tell any difference, if you tossed a leaf or two in your Spag. Bol. mix. Might be different in a pesto.

Mine havent begun to start flowering yet, but I have heard that they attract the bees. I love seeing bees all over the place. My boyfriend hates it because hes got a bee phobia LOL! I try to explain to him that they arent out to hunt him down and sting him, but I guess being a typical boy when he was younger he had one too many stings LOL! Then he would get mad when I tell him that im sure he probably deserved it by doing something that made them mad lol!!!!
Well, If it doesnt hurt the plant by cutting off the blossoms then ill prolly just leave them alone. You can never have enough blossoms in the garden!!!! Plus I plantes basil in between my tomatoes, so if the bees visit the basil, hopefully they will be on my tomatoes too!!!!-Cassie

I don't think that blooming will affect basil leaves taste negatively. Besides, basil bloom and seeds are even tastier in dishes like spagetty sauce. I event plant some in a flower pot along with a chili pepper just to bloom.
Then again, there are many kinds of basils. some may flower much easily than others. But in my garden they will not have a chance to bloom early on since I harvest them by pinching off top growth ( I use it for fresh eating and cooking). I will learn how to freez them for winter.

The Genovese type is slow at producing flower stalks at the tips.

I like to sprinkle the seedpods in salads. Use the old thumb and finger strip method,rinse to remove any small bugs, and sprinkle. Adds both flavor and in some color to salads or over meat type dishes.

I think the flowers are pretty and don't effect the flavor. I say enjoy the basil, it's flowers, and if you grow open-pollinated or heirloom types like I do, allow some seeds to mature and collect them for next year.

FataMorgana

I have found that when I let it flower, I don't get the nice big basil plants that I do if I try to keep most of the flowers off. There is an "Africian Blue" basil that is more of an ornamental basil that gets huge and the flowers don't affect the growth at all, (and the bees love it)

Ill have to check for it!!! Im trying many different varieties this year! One of the nurseries I go to has a WHOLE greenhouse that is full of basil...Talk about walking into a place that smells like heaven!!!!! -cass

Cass,
If you can't find it there, go online to www.tastefulgarden.com. I have been buying from them for years and they are great. Fun even if you just want to read about a particular plant. I buy all my heirloom tomato plants and have them shipped to me in Michigan every year.

Dear Cassie: Don't put yourself down just because you don't know some garden info. We all have things to learn in life, right? Everybody was a "newbie" at one point. Be kind to yourself!

When basil starts to flower, it puts forth a lot of energy into the flower stage rather than in leaf production.If you want the plant to produce lots of new leaves, then cut back the stem of the plant to just above a leaf node.Go down several leaf nodes.You are actually "pruning" the plant.
Just pinching off the flowers will make more flowers.I learned this by trial and error over the last several seasons.
Good luck with your basil!

I'm with catlady10 on pruning out the basil plant, not just pinching the buds. I will trim out 1/3 of the total growth of the plant. After washing the trimmings, I remove the leaves from the stem and rinse them again. I then spin them dry with my salad spinner and put the extra leaves into ziplock bags, burp out the air, and put it in the freezer. All winter when I want basil in a dish I just pull out a ziplock bag, break off a corner and crumble it into the dish. Very easy.

Can you find Morsonic Basel, where can I find it to plant

Is basil the moronic acid

That seemed very rude to me. How can a newbie know not to ask a frequently asked question? She may never come back.