How to plant basil at home in a pot. How to sow basil, growing spices in a summer cottage. Planting basil seedlings in open ground - video

It is widely known that you can grow basil in a pot on a windowsill. all year round. However, practice often diverges from theory, and in Once again So, without waiting for the shoots to sprout or having pulled out the “long-legged” withered seedlings, the gardener gives up - not fate.

The fact is that basil is a light- and heat-loving plant, and for its full growth it is necessary: heat(20-25°C), long daylight hours, fertilized soil with drainage and regular water procedures": watering and spraying.

– Transferring an adult plant from open ground to a pot. This method is used by summer residents who grow basil in their garden beds in the summer. In this case, the youngest bushes that have not had time to bloom are dug up along with a lump of earth and transplanted into a pot. The growing season of these plants is short - pretty soon they will bloom, and you will need to tear off the flower stalks or cut the shoots into cuttings to plant a new plant.

– Growing basil from cuttings from a previous bush. Side shoots or tops from an existing basil bush (or from one purchased at the market) are placed in water for 1-2 weeks so that they produce roots, and then planted in pots. After about half a month, you will be able to cut the first greens. This bush will last you 3-4 months.

– Growing a new basil bush from seeds. When planted from seeds, a basil bush will take 8-12 months to finally form, but it will also provide you with fresh herbs for much longer than basil grown from cuttings.

Growing basil from seeds: main steps

In principle, any variety of basil is suitable for growing in pots, but, as a rule, low-growing bunch-forming varieties are chosen.

At the initial stage, small pots, plastic buckets or cups can serve as containers. Then, some time after the basil has several true leaves, the plants will need to be carefully transplanted into large containers without damaging the roots. To avoid this procedure, it is better to immediately plant the seeds in liter pots.

The soil must be fertile, light, with high water permeability. You can use humus mixed with coconut fiber in a ratio of 1:2, you can take a mixture of garden soil with ready-made, completely decomposed compost, you can prepare soil from 1 part humus and 2 parts peat, which you then pour with the solution mineral fertilizers(1/8 teaspoon each of urea, potassium sulfate and superphosphate per 1 liter of water). And don’t forget about drainage – it is essential for basil. Therefore, before filling the containers with soil, place a layer of expanded clay, broken brick or polystyrene foam 2-3 centimeters high on the bottom.

Before planting, basil seeds are soaked for two hours in a raspberry solution of potassium permanganate. Then they are planted in prepared moist soil to a depth of 1 centimeter at a distance of 7-10 cm from each other and covered with cling film or a bag, which is not removed until germination.

The optimal temperature for germination of basil seeds is from 22°C to 28°C; in such conditions, the first shoots will appear in 5-8 days.

Pots with young plants are immediately placed in a warm, bright place and provided with regular watering. It is recommended to water basil in the morning once a day (in very hot summer days can be watered twice - morning and afternoon) with water room temperature. Will not extra time Spray the plants with water from time to time (in summer you can do this daily).

The homeland of basil is the subtropics, so it cannot survive without heat and light. In order for basil to grow, bush and branch, the air temperature on your windowsill should be at least 20°C (or even better 25°C), and the sun should shine for at least 3-4 hours a day. Basil is afraid of drafts.

In pots with adult plants, the soil is loosened every two to three days to enrich it with oxygen. If the soil for growing basil is not particularly fertile, the bushes need to be fed once a month. Universal fertilizers based on organic compost or gummates.

After 1.5 months you will begin to pick off the first spicy leaves from the side shoots. Subsequently, when cutting the greens, leave at least three leaves on the stem - new ones will begin to develop in their axils side shoots. When the bush has grown enough, you can pinch the top so that it grows wider.

Best time to grow basil in pots

Basil can, of course, be grown at home year-round, but its increased sensitivity to heat and light will require additional effort from you in the fall and winter.

To protect against drafts and create optimal temperatures in autumn and winter, you may need to wrap the pots with transparent plastic film.

In addition, from October to February, plants need additional lighting in the evening hours (about 3-4 hours) to extend daylight hours. On cloudy days, additional light is needed throughout the day.

For this reason, basil is usually planted in late February - early March to allow the period of active growth to pass with increasing daylight hours. And in the summer, natural warmth and light will be quite enough for the grown bush.

We wish you success and great harvests!

In the article we discuss basil - medicinal properties and contraindications. You will learn how the plant is beneficial for health, how basil is used in cosmetology and folk medicine, as well as how to prepare and store the spice.

Appearance (photo) of the basilica

Basil contains the following components:

• essential oil;
• tannins;
• glycosides;
• saponins;
• ascorbic acid;
• minerals;
• Sahara;
• cellulose;
• provitamin A;
• vitamin P;
• camphor.

The chemical composition ensures the beneficial effect of basil on the body.

Useful properties of basil

Medicinal properties of basil:

• antiseptic;
• bactericidal;
• anti-inflammatory;
• diaphoretic;
• antitussive;
• expectorant;
• antispasmodic;
• pain reliever;
• sedative;
• secretory;
• tonic;
• antipyretic.

Basil, thanks to its bactericidal, antitussive and anti-inflammatory properties, is used for colds of the ENT organs, ARVI and influenza. Medicinal plant helps in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms, eliminates inflammation, relieves bronchospasm and increases cough productivity. Basil lowers fever and strengthens the immune system.

The medicinal plant is used to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Basil regulates production of hydrochloric acid, improves the process of digestion of food, relieves spasms of the walls of the stomach and intestines. In case of diseases, it eliminates the inflammatory process.

The antispasmodic, analgesic and sedative properties of the plant explain its effectiveness in relation to the nervous system. Basil eliminates headaches and reduces the intensity of migraines, soothes nervous system and also improves sleep.

Basil helps with inflammatory diseases urinary system - cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis.

Benefits of basil for women include increased libido, increased chances of successful conception, and improved elimination. breast milk during lactation.

Read more about the benefits and harms of basil.

Is it healthy to eat basil?

The medicinal properties and contraindications of basil determine whether the spice is healthy to eat. Let's take a closer look at this issue.

Despite the improvement taste qualities food and beneficial properties, the spice should be consumed with caution. You are allowed to eat no more than 30 grams of basil leaves per day.

Exceeding the dosage can lead to irritation of the mucous membranes of all internal organs. In addition, people with bleeding disorders or serious cardiovascular diseases should not use basil.

The use of basil in cosmetology

Women use basil in home cosmetology. The medicinal plant acts as an antiseptic on the skin of the face, dries out inflammation, eliminates acne, and cleanses the dermis. Basil soothes and softens the skin, accelerates cell regeneration processes and promotes rejuvenation.

To improve the condition of your facial skin, you can use a tonic with basil leaves.

Ingredients:

1. Basil leaves - 2 tablespoons.
2. Boiling water - 1 glass.

How to cook: Grind the basil leaves into a paste and pour boiling water over it. Leave the tonic for 20-30 minutes. Strain before use.

How to use: Soak a cotton pad in toner and wipe your face.

Result: Tonic soothes the skin, relieves inflammation, improves complexion.

Use of basil in medicine

In folk medicine, decoctions and infusions of basil are used.

Basil - the medicinal properties and contraindications of the plant allow it to be used in the treatment of diseases:

• ENT organs: sore throat, rhinitis, sinusitis, ARVI, influenza;
• respiratory system: bronchitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough;
• Gastrointestinal tract: flatulence, heartburn, gastritis, colitis;
• nervous system: headaches, migraines, insomnia, neuroses;
• urinary system: cystitis, urethritis, pyelitis, pyelonephritis.

In folk medicine, basil is used in the form of fresh juice, decoction or infusion. Below we have given recipes for medicines. The exact dosage and dosage regimen are prescribed by your doctor; be sure to consult a specialist before using basil.

Basil juice is obtained from fresh leaves plants. It is taken to normalize digestion, treat stomatitis and strengthen teeth. By standard scheme The medicine is taken 20 ml 3 times a day before meals. To strengthen teeth, juice should be kept in oral cavity 2 minutes each.

Basil decoction helps with colds; it is used externally to wash the eyes.

Ingredients:

1. Basil leaves - 15 grams.
2. Boiling water - 1 glass.

How to cook: Fill the leaves with water and place them on water bath and heat for 30 minutes. Strain the broth.

How to use: Take 70 ml 3 times a day before meals. For external use, dilute the decoction with water in proportions of 1 to 1.

Result: Medicine has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Basil infusion is used as an expectorant and sedative.

Ingredients:

1. Basil leaves - 20 grams.
2. Boiled water - 1 glass.

How to cook: Pour boiling water over the leaves. Leave for 1-2 hours. Strain.

How to use: Take 70 ml 30 minutes before meals.

Result: calms the nervous system, relieves bronchospasm, softens cough and increases its productivity.

Read more about beneficial properties Basilica, see the following video:

Basil as an aphrodisiac

Basil is a strong aphrodisiac. The plant simultaneously calms the nervous system and increases arousal. Basil increases the sensuality and sensitivity of partners, accelerates blood circulation, strengthens erections and prolongs sexual intercourse.

To improve the quality of intimate life, the plant can be used by adding it to dishes or conducting aromatherapy sessions with basil essential oil.

How to prepare basil for the winter

When harvesting basil, you can pick only the leaves or whole stems. If you want to collect a lot of greenery during the season, do not pick the stem immediately; after each collection of leaves, new ones will grow.

The collected basil leaves need to be washed. You can dry on parchment or a towel in a ventilated place.

In order not to prepare basil for the winter, you can plant it on the windowsill; read about the planting method in.

How to properly store basil

Basil can be stored dried or frozen. Dried basil is stored in glass jars or woven bags in a dark, dry place.

To freeze, chop the basil, place it in airtight containers and put it in the freezer. It is important that the leaves are dry; even with a small amount of moisture, ice will form.

Basil oil

Essential oil is obtained from the leaves and inflorescences of basil.

Basil leaves and inflorescences contain a large number of essential oil.

Essential oil contains:

• eugenol;
• methyl chavicol;
• cineole;
• linalall;
• camphor;
• ocimene

How to use basil essential oil:

• In home cosmetology for preparing masks for facial skin and hair;
• To enrich cosmetics - creams, tonics, shampoos;
• For aromatherapy sessions, add a few drops to the aroma lamp;
• For preparing solutions for rinsing the mouth;
• As a remedy against mosquitoes and midges, apply a few drops of essential oil to curtains or clothing.

Contraindications for use

Basil - contraindications:

• hypertonic disease;
• cardiac ischemia;
• myocardial infarction;
• diabetes;
• thrombophlebitis.

Basil should be taken with caution during pregnancy. Be sure to consult your doctor.

10 interesting facts about sweet basil:

1. The plant's supposed homeland is Africa.
2. Basil was brought to Europe by the soldiers of Alexander the Great, who returned from Asian campaigns.
3. Basil appeared in Russia at the end of the 18th century; it was primarily used as a medicinal plant.
4. WITH Greek language The name “basil” is translated as “royal”.
5. In Italy, basil is considered a symbol of love.
6. In Moldova, a young man who accepts basil from a girl agrees to be engaged.
7. In India, basil is believed to protect the aura.
8. Basil is the main ingredient in the famous Italian pesto sauce.
9. Basil is a good honey plant.
10. The plant is capable of destroying more than 90 types of bacteria.

What to remember

1. Now you know about basil - the beneficial properties and contraindications of the plant.
2. The spice can be used in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine.
3. Before using for medicinal purposes, consult your doctor.

As you know, a plant can be planted in several ways. IN in this case They practice planting with seeds and seedlings. The second method is the simplest and most correct, especially if you are growing basil in open ground. But if you need speed, practicality, and spend a minimum of effort on this process, then seeds are exactly what you need. But you are mistaken if you think that simply placing them in the ground and watering will be enough.

In fact, basil is a tropical herb that needs special care. If you just sow it, the germination rate will be no more than 30%. Humidity, temperature, planting depth, pre-soaking, germination - all these are not only desirable stages before sowing. These are mandatory measures, which we will now consider in more detail in step-by-step instructions.

1. Warming up the grains. The homeland of these spices is central India, where the temperature during the growing season of the plant is not lower than +28 degrees. The cells are activated only when the seed is exposed to the sun, when they are heated to +35-40 degrees. If the temperature is below this, they may lie in the ground for 1, 2 or even 3 weeks, which will not satisfy the requirements of many gardeners. What should be done? Just put it in the sun and let the grains warm up to +40 degrees. If it's cold outside, you can do this using a boiler or any item that can maintain +40C.
2. Soak. This is the most important step that should not be skipped.. After you warm up the seed a little, it needs to be properly saturated with moisture. Soak for at least 20 hours, and the water should be relatively warm, preferably +40 degrees. There is no need for this step if basil is planted before winter - there the seeds need a little rest, and there is no need to stimulate intensive growth of the vegetative mass. The length of the day will not meet the needs of the plant, even if the temperature is high.
3. Sowing into the soil. If you want to grow productive, healthy basil, planting should be done at a temperature of at least 20 degrees. That is, in open ground it should arrive in the third ten days of May, not earlier. Seeds can germinate and sprout even at +10 degrees during the day, but do not forget that even +5 at night can destroy all your crops - this crop is very fastidious and does not tolerate cold.

Let’s now figure out how to plant basil and what is needed for this. Loosening the soil and adding sand to it is the key to obtaining good shoots. Do not forget to mulch the soil with humus so that it does not crack - 2 centimeters of mulch will be enough to cover the moisture, make optimal conditions for sprouts. The soil must be pre-fertilized with manure 3-4 months in advance so that it has time to decompose and separate all the microelements and acids necessary for the plant.

There are several ways to sow. The most popular is to scatter the grains over the entire area and rake the area. Of course, there is a risk that a lot of seeds will be on top and will disappear over time, but if you can afford the cost, then it would be better to do just that. The effort required will be minimal. Many gardeners practice digging small furrows - grooves of 3-4 centimeters with row spacing of 30 centimeters. This kind of laughter is very effective, saves your time, and has little loss of material compared to the first method.

There is also a checkerboard sowing method. Each grain goes deeper (can be done with a finger, a match or garden tool for loosening the soil) by 1.5-2 centimeters at a distance of 15 centimeters in diameter from each “neighbor”. The advantage of the method is significant space savings, high yield due to equal distance between plants. There is, perhaps, only one drawback - a lot of labor and time will be spent on this process.

After you have done everything and leveled the ground from above (it is advisable to compact it with something), you can wait for seedlings, which can realistically be obtained within 12 days, if the air temperature does not fall below +15C. To speed up this process and help the seedlings make their way to the top, you can cover the entire bed with polyethylene or any other material to create a greenhouse effect. In such an “incubator” the plants will feel great, the main thing is not to forget to remove the film.

Propagation using seedlings

It is very difficult to achieve friendly shoots and big harvest from a small seed, but a healthy plant grown on a windowsill gives a much better chance. This is why seedlings are so popular when cultivating crops in open ground. Let's say you already have it, purchased or obtained as a result of cultivation own seeds. Let's look at what to do next in more detail.

1. Loosen the soil in the garden bed. The fraction should be the same as at . It is advisable to use rollers so that the soil is compacted and the roots easily absorb water from the soil and the basil develops fully.
2. We dig holes 10x10x20 centimeters, where the last indicator is depth. Pour 5 grams of saltpeter onto the bottom, a little soil on top, place the plant and fill it with water so that everything dissolves well, and root system I immediately received a large amount of fertilizer.
3. We mulch the earth on top with humus so that it does not crack. This is desirable for beds that are simply in the shade and mandatory for areas in the open sun. It is best to avoid direct rays - the plant may burn and growth may slow down; spices grow best under 30% shade.

Subsequent care of seedlings is very simple. 1 foliar application with urea or diluted saltpeter every 2 weeks. Pinching is necessary after the fifth pair of leaves is formed on the plant. You can mow the seedlings after 3 weeks - at the discretion of the gardeners.

Propagation by cuttings - advantages and features

While sowing basil is extremely beneficial in terms of saving time and effort, propagation from cuttings provides many other benefits to the gardener. It is especially important to grow rare and valuable varieties spices, because from one mother bush you can get dozens of new plants, and each of them will be relatively large and with good resistance to environment. Let's take a closer look at this process.

1. We take the usual one flower pot, pour boiling water over it to kill the infection, and install drainage. Coarse crushed stone, sand, fertile soil. Pre-moisten the resulting soil and let it sit for a couple of days.
2. WITH mother plant you need to take branches no more than 8 centimeters, as in all other plants you need to make an oblique cut to increase the absorption area. It is best to pluck off the first few pairs of leaves to keep macronutrient and water intake to a minimum. They will grow back quickly if herb will take root.
3. Place in a container with water for 5 days (use a plastic liter bottle, first cutting off the top). If you're lucky, within 5 days the basil will take root and be ready to be transplanted into the soil. Under unfavorable conditions (cold, lack of minerals, lack of light) this can happen much later, for example, after 20 days.
4. Drop off. It is advisable to do this under film, similarly

Basil (lat. Ocimum) - herbaceous plant brought from India, it is classified as a member of the Lamiaceae (lat. Lamiaceae) crops. Depending on the variety, it is an annual or perennial herbaceous shrub. The plant is very beneficial for the human body; it is used as a spicy and flavoring additive in dried and fresh form.

Basil: varieties, photos

Basil has more than 70 varieties and hundreds of varieties, differing in bush size and leaf shape, color and aroma.

Sweet basil (lat. Ocimum basilcum)

The bushes grow up to 0.7 m. The plant is abundantly covered with foliage, which is used for food and has a delicate peppery aroma. The stem is covered with fine fluff. Varieties preferred by Russian gardeners: Mammoth, Magical Michael, Ararat.

Purple basil or Regan (lat. Ocimum basilicum var. purpureum)

The maximum plant height is 0.5 m. The entire surface of the basil is bright purple with iridescent shades and has a very mild aroma. Varieties most famous in the Moscow region: Purple, Mauritanian, Zastolny.

Lemon basil (lat. Ocimum basilicum var. citriodorum)

Low-growing basil, up to 0.35 m. The leaves have a subtle smell of lemon and camphor. Proven varieties: New, Lemon, Moscow Bogatyr.

Black basil

The bushes are low-growing up to 0.3 m. The leaves are painted in a dark, rich color and have a pronounced burning aroma. Varieties: Ruby Cairo, Bakinsky, Osmin.

How to choose basil seeds

Growing spice on summer cottage for your own consumption, there is no need for a large number of seeds, but they must be of high quality. It is not recommended to prepare planting material on one's own. Since the crop is heat-loving, seeds collected in cold regions will not have high germination rates. It is recommended to purchase seeds produced in India, since India is the birthplace of the crop and is best suited for climatic conditions.

Basil - planting and care in open ground

Basil prefers warm conditions, and does not tolerate cold weather. The full growing season of the plant is 160 days, so if you want to enjoy spicy herbs as early as possible, you will have to grow seedlings.

Basil: growing in seedlings

Growing basil by seedlings begins in mid-April. You can sow seeds both in seedling boxes and in heated greenhouses.

Growing basil in open ground consists of the following procedures:

• the grains must be heated to 40 degrees Celsius;
• soak in a growth stimulator for 7-8 hours;
• lightly dry the seeds and place them in prepared soil to a depth of 1 cm;
• cover with film, moisten regularly, but do not overwater.

The approximate period of “black earth” before the seeds sprout is from 7 to 10 days. Ready seedlings for planting in open ground must reach one month of age.

Basil: growing from seeds in open ground

If used seedless method, the seeds are sown in the soil after May 15, when they will no longer be afraid of night frosts. The bed must be covered with film or agrofibre until the plants reach 2 weeks of age.

The culture loves open and sunny terrain, but protected from the cold wind, and light, fertile soil. It is not recommended to sow basil twice in a row in the same place. The crop grows well after: potatoes, tomatoes, legumes, cucumbers.

Basil: growing and care in open ground

Good development Basil is promoted by regular weeding of plantings to remove weeds. It is necessary to aerate the soil surface by loosening it, and also water it as it dries. Don't forget to feed the plants nitrogen fertilizers 1 time per month. The first feeding should be done 2 weeks after planting the seedlings. This is what caring for basil in the open ground consists of.

• compliance with crop rotation;
• disinfection of planting material with potassium permanganate;
• moderate watering;
• dusting the plantings with ash once a week;
• removing diseased plants along with a clod of earth.

Basil harvest time

When assembling greens, it is worth considering that in different periods growing season it contains different amounts essential oils. It is recommended to carry out the first harvest of basil before flowering in July, and the second - in September. The tops of the shoots are carefully plucked off along with the leaves, without damaging or pulling out the entire plant.

Growing basil on the windowsill

Without special effort You can grow basil at home. To do this, you will need a container with a depth of at least 30 cm. Seeds are sown at the end of March in boxes or pots. It is better to choose low-growing varieties.

How to grow basil at home:

• drainage must be placed at the bottom of the container;
• you can use garden soil, or purchase soil marked "for vegetable crops and herbs";
• before sowing, the seeds are soaked in growth stimulants;
• the soil for sowing must be warm;
• young plantings must be covered with film;
• optimal temperature air for this crop is plus 25-28 degrees Celsius.

When 4-5 pairs of leaves are formed on a young sprout, you can pinch the top - this will limit the growth of the plant in height and stimulate active branching. Caring for homemade basil is similar: regular watering, loosening and fertilizing.

Bottom line

Basil, although a heat-loving crop, is grown without much effort by gardeners even in the northern regions of Russia. At proper care and following preventive measures, you can easily grow aromatic and very healthy greens on own plot, or at home.

Basil is an unpretentious crop that can be grown at home throughout the year. But since this plant is of tropical origin, in order to get a harvest, certain conditions must be created for it. Therefore, before you start planting, you should figure out how to grow basil on the windowsill. For this purpose, it is advisable to use low-growing varieties: Gvozdichny, Marquis, Dwarf, Yerevan, Lemon or Violet.

Unique properties of basil

Basil is widely used in medicine and cooking. He has many positive properties. The plant has an analgesic, antiseptic, bactericidal, diaphoretic, antispasmodic and expectorant effect on the body.

Basil is a universal home “healer” that relieves many symptoms

Basil is used in the treatment of:

• bronchitis;
• asthma;
• tuberculosis;
• urolithiasis;
• hyperemia (increasing the amount of blood supplied to any part of the body);
• cardiovascular and skin diseases;
• conjunctivitis;
• gastroenteritis;
• rheumatism;
• measles;
• headaches;
• caries;
• tartar and plaque;
• pathologies resulting from radiation damage.

In addition, basil strengthens the immune system well.

It is not surprising that many gardeners prefer to grow basil indoors. After all, the plant contains a large amount of potassium, due to which its consumption helps lower blood pressure.

Observed positive influence basil on the emotional state of a person. The plant helps reduce stress, reduce feelings of nervousness and anxiety. Vitamin A, C, essential mass and phytonutrients included in its composition rid the body of free radicals and help prolong youth.

However, basil also has negative characteristics. Its overdose can cause poisoning. When it comes into contact with mucous membranes, the plant causes irritation. Its use is contraindicated during pregnancy, with vein thrombosis and blood clotting disorders. Thus, despite the wide list of positive properties of this plant, it is strictly not recommended to use it without consulting a doctor.

In cooking, basil is used in the preparation of ketchups, sauces, dressings, gravy, and sandwich butter. It is added to products during smoking and canning. It improves the taste characteristics of sausages, pates, omelettes, and salads.

This plant goes well with parsley, tarragon, mint, coriander and marjoram. But it should be borne in mind that basil has a fairly rich aroma that can overpower the smells of other spices. Therefore, it should be used in moderation.

How to grow basil from cuttings in an apartment or house?

There are several methods by which you can plant basil at home. Cuttings are perhaps the fastest of them, because it allows you to get greens in just two weeks.

Cuttings - simple and reliable method growing basil

Cuttings are taken from a basil bush. When purchasing a plant, you need to make sure that it is not wilted. Basil does not need to have roots. You will also need a knife or scissors, water (+25°C) and a glass jar.

Planting is done as follows:

For culinary purposes, leaves are used, which are cut off when the height of the plant reaches 15 cm. The lifespan of such a bush is 3–4 months.

Important! Cuttings must be protected from exposure sun rays, since as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, plants can get burned and die.

Soil and pot requirements

Basil requires fertile and light soil. In a specialized store you can find a ready-made soil mixture. In this case, carry out preliminary preparation no need. But if soil mixture prepared at home, it must be poured with a solution of 1 liter of water and 1/8 tsp. potassium sulfate, urea or superphosphate.

Take care of the correct soil composition and drainage of the pot

Basil soil may consist of the following components:

• humus, earth and peat, mixed in equal proportions;
• one part of coconut fibers and two parts of humus;
• compost and soil (2:1);
• peat and humus (2:1).

It is advisable to place the soil in an oven preheated to 100°C for 60 minutes. After this, the soil is watered with fertilizers. When planting basil, you will definitely need drainage, which is placed on the bottom of the pot in a 3 cm layer:

• small pebbles;
• coarse sand;
• gravel;
• crushed stone;
• expanded clay

The plant is planted in 1.5 liter pots.

Important! When growing basil, be sure to use drainage, as excessive soil moisture can cause the development of diseases.

External conditions

Basil is a heat-loving crop, so it needs to be grown at 22–25°C. Pots are placed on the south side. The plant also needs good lighting lasting up to 15 hours a day. Provide the necessary conditions possible using fluorescent or halogen lamps.

Basil loves sun and warmth

But it is necessary to take into account the features of these devices. Halogen lamps are a source of not only light, but also heat. In this regard, it is recommended to use such lighting elements during the cold period or in the case of growing basil on the balcony.

Growing basil from seeds at home: step-by-step instructions

Basil bushes grown from seeds will take 8 months to a year to develop. But the advantage of this method is that it takes much longer to get greens from such a plant than when using cuttings.

Growing basil from seeds is a labor-intensive process.

To plant seeds you need to prepare:

• drainage;
• a container 15 cm deep or a pot with a capacity of 1.5–2 liters;
• soil mixture, which is prepared in the same way as in the previous version;
• spatula;
• plastic bag or cling film.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. It is recommended to start work by preparing the seeds. This stage is not considered mandatory, but it allows you to speed up the appearance of sprouts. The seeds are soaked in water (25°C) for two days. In this case, the fluid is replaced every 12 hours.
2. After this, the planting material is dipped into a solution of potassium manganese. This should be a light pink composition in low concentration, in which the seeds are kept for two hours. After this, they are removed from the water onto a napkin and dried.
3. Next, drainage is poured into the container or pot, and the prepared soil is poured on top. In this case, 3–4 cm should be left between the surface of the soil and the edge of the container. The ground is leveled and watered well.
4. Then they start sowing the seeds. They are buried 1–2 cm, maintaining a distance between plants of 8–10 mm.
5. The containers are covered with film or transparent plastic cover to achieve greenhouse effect. The pots are placed on a well-lit windowsill. Every day the film is opened for 10 minutes to ensure ventilation of the basil.
6. After 8–12 days, the first shoots will appear. After this, the film is removed, and the temperature in the room is reduced to 16–20°C. This is necessary to prevent the plants from stretching too much.
7. When the sprouts reach a height of 5–7 cm, add 2–3 cm of soil to the pot. This will help strengthen the seedlings.

After removing the film, the basil needs to be provided with regular and timely care. The room temperature should be maintained between 20–25°C. At the germination stage, the soil is moistened every two days. Watering should be moderate. The plant does not require fertilizing during this period. Nutrient elements added to the soil mixture is sufficient to ensure full development basilica

Video: method of sowing basil seeds

How to properly transplant an adult plant into a pot on the eve of winter?

Basil is transplanted when growing the crop in open ground. In this case, in August or September the plant must be moved to a pot so that it is not damaged during the cold period. The soil composition is prepared in the same way as when planting cuttings. The volume of the pot should reach 2 liters.

Basil is replanted to protect it from winter frosts.

The transplant has the following features:

1. First, a drainage layer is placed in the pot. Then they fill it with soil, in which they make a hole where water is poured.
2. When the moisture is absorbed, carefully dig up the bush, remove it along with the earthen lump and move it into a pot. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the roots are not damaged or bent.
3. The plant is covered with soil and lightly compacted. If during the replanting process some parts of the bush were damaged, they should be cut off.

Cultivation care

You need to start caring for the plant immediately after removing the film. Timely implementation of all measures will allow you to grow a healthy crop.

Watering

Watering basil depends on temperature conditions. In warm weather, the procedure is carried out daily. On hot days, the frequency of watering should be 2 times a day. The bushes are moistened in the morning and at lunchtime, using a watering can with a spray for this purpose.

The rate of watering is determined by the condition of the soil - it should be moderately moist (so that the water does not stagnate in the tray of the pot).

It is not advisable to water the plant in the evening. This rule is due to the fact that the temperature in the room is cool at night. As a result, the evaporation of water from the soil slows down and the likelihood of developing bush diseases increases.

Fertilizers

If basil was used when planting fertile soil, there is no need to feed it, since it annual plant with a short growing season. For the development of bushes, there will be enough substances initially added to the substrate. If the seeds or cuttings were planted in ordinary garden soil, then the basil needs to be fertilized once a month.

Fertilizer will help the plant receive nutrients from regular soil.

The plant is watered with a nutrient solution, which is prepared from 2 liters of water and 1 cap of the drug Rost. also in upper layer Agrolife fertilizer is added to the substrate (1 tsp per pot).

Trimming

Pruning is done to stimulate the development of side shoots. The procedure involves removing the top of the bush at the level of 6–8 leaves. It is carried out 15–20 days after germination. You should also eliminate all flowering shoots immediately after they appear. This will enhance the branching of the basil, help preserve the aroma, and also help increase the lifespan of the plant.

Trimming your basil will help it grow wider.

Other Features

1. In autumn and winter time It is recommended to wrap the pots plastic film. This will help protect the plant from drafts.
2. Between October and February, the basilica must be created in the evening additional lighting. The lamps are installed at a distance of 20 cm from the bushes.
3. On cloudy days, the plant needs artificial lighting.
4. Basil can be grown year-round. But in order for the plant to receive a sufficient amount during the growth period natural light, it is recommended to plant in March.
5. When the size of the bushes reaches 15 cm, you can harvest. At this stage, the formation of the stem is complete, so the loss of leaves will not affect the development of the basil.

Important! Basil must be protected from drafts.

Pests and diseases

Among the pests, aphids are dangerous. It provokes the following symptoms:

• leaves become deformed, lose their color and curl;
• the growth of the bushes stops and the stems become bent.

As treatment, spraying with Decis (1 g per 5 l) or Fitoverm (4 ml per 20 l) is carried out. To prevent a pest attack, you must follow the rules of care.

Basil, which is grown at home, is much less susceptible to illnesses and pests than bushes growing in open ground. But violating the rules of care can provoke the occurrence of diseases.

Table: basil diseases

Common mistakes gardeners make

Errors in growing bushes and harvesting can cause disease and death of the plant. It is not advisable to over-hydrate basil. When watering, it is necessary to avoid stagnation of water.

Some gardeners break off the stems when harvesting. This should not be done, as the plant will dry out. You can only collect leaves.

Another mistake is tearing off the basil. This can damage the stem. Therefore, the leaves should be cut with scissors.

When growing basil, you should take into account its need for warmth and good lighting. It is also necessary to remember that the plant does not tolerate overwatering and drafts. Following these rules will help you grow this tropical crop on your windowsill and get a good harvest.