How is basil properly preferred?
If you want to grow the heat-loving herb plant yourself, you can grow it indoors from the end of March / beginning of April. How to proceed:
- fill a seed tray with peat sand, coconut fiber or seed soil
- the seeds sowwithout covering them with substrate
- Moisten with a fine shower
- wait for germination in the partially shaded window seat at 20-25 degrees Celsius
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From a height of 5 centimeters prick out The seedlings to keep them constantly moist until planted in the field.
Which site conditions have to be considered?
In order to be able to grow basil productively, it is primarily a sunny one Location significant. In addition, a location protected from rain and drafts is advantageous. In the bed, choose a planting site where no royal herb has been cultivated in the past 2 years to prevent fungal spores lurking there. In addition to plenty of sun, good air circulation is important on the windowsill.
In which soil does basil thrive optimally?
One of the unexpected attributes of this herbal plant is that basil is a heavy eater. So it comes to the composition of the Earth on these factors:
- nutrient-rich, humus-rich, deep soil
- loocker, fresh, moist and slightly sandy
- an ideal pH of 6.5 to 7.5
If you like Königskraut in pot plant, therefore poor herb soil is unsuitable. Use instead Potting soil based on compost, optimized with sand, Perlite(€ 35.50 at Amazon *) or Expanded clay.(€ 16.36 at Amazon *)
When is the planting time for royal herb?
The Mediterranean herbal plant does not tolerate any Temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius. The second half of May is therefore primarily an option for outdoor cultivation, when there is no longer any fear of belated frosts. Unless you have basil on the balcony put the bucket outside during the day from April. From mid-May, the plant can also be found outdoors at night.
How do you plant them in beds and tubs?
If you are growing basil in the garden, carefully weed the earth in the chosen location. Then rake the soil well and remove roots or stones. Then it continues like this:
- dig a planting pit with twice the volume of the root ball
- Enrich the excavation with sifted compost, granulated Cattle manure(€ 18.80 at Amazon *) or humus
- At the sole, create a 3-4 cm high drainage made of chippings, expanded clay or pottery shards
- Pour in a handful of substrate and plant the potted basil
After planting, the young plant should not be lower than it was previously in the nursery pot. Finally, water generously. Proceed in a similar way when planting in pots, whereby the recommended substrate should be used here. Then give the young basil plants a few days to get used to the blazing sun. Put the bucket in the for 3-4 days Penumbra and shade bedding plants with a parasol.
What methods of propagation are there?
Apart from the sowing, basil waits with the uncomplicated propagation by means of Offshoot. To do this, cut off 10-15 cm long shoot tips from a vital mother plant, the lower part of which will be defoliated. In a glass of water, the cuttings take root within a few days. Now you can plant them in a mixture of potting soil and sand so that the cuttings quickly develop into a strong young plant.
How is basil harvested?
When growing basil, it usually takes between sowing and the first time harvest 6 to 8 weeks. Do not pluck individual leaves, but harvest whole shoots over a length of 5-7 centimeters. If you cut off the shoot tips continuously, this measure will also prevent flowering. Once royal herb blooms, the leaves take on a bitter taste and the plant dies.
How are the seeds to be harvested?
Unless you hand the seeds for propagation to win the royal herb should first be allowed to bloom. While the pretty flowers slowly withered, the small seed pods develop underneath. They pick off the withered leaves. To harvest the seeds, do the following:
- Cut off the withered flower stalks
- Wipe fruits and flowers over a bowl with your fingers
- grind the flower-seed mixture between the palms of your hands
Now sift through this mix until the black seeds remain. These dry in the air for a few more days and then store them in a dark container in the cool cellar.
Tips & Tricks
Basil is an extremely useful plant partner in the bed. In association with tomatoes, wine, bell peppers, beans, kohlrabi, corn and onions, the aromatic herb plant drives away annoying pests and insidious fungal spores. Only with conspecifics such as dill, lemon balm, savory or thyme does the royal herb do not get along.
GTH