Growing basil at home. How to get juicy greens during the winter months? Tips for growing basil on a windowsill. Photo gallery: types of basil for growing at home

Gaining wide popularity, and basil is no exception. But in order for the end result to meet expectations, it is necessary to know in advance the rules for growing basil at home, carefully study the needs of the plant, the rules for sowing or rooting cuttings, and also familiarize yourself with the further conditions for keeping and caring for a spicy green plant in an apartment.

Basil is an indispensable component for people who care about their health and watch their figure. At the same time, it is enough to eat only a few sprigs of greens a day to provide the body with useful vitamins and minerals.

To grow basil on the windowsill, you need to carefully prepare, because this will require:

• decide on a variety and purchase seeds or cut fresh cuttings from an adult plant;
• choose a suitable place (window sill) in the apartment;
• prepare planting containers and nutrient substrate;
• carry out pre-sowing preparation and seed treatment;
• study the features of watering and fertilizing;
• Familiarize yourself with possible diseases and measures to combat them.

Important! Basil on the windowsill is very responsive to care and therefore requires increased attention, as it cannot stand ignoring the rules for its maintenance.

Without a doubt, basil can be successfully grown on the windowsill and enjoy its taste for a long time only if its planting and further care are carried out according to the rules.

Video: how to grow basil at home

Choosing the Right Basil Variety to Grow at Home

To successfully grow basil in an apartment, you need to choose the right plant variety, since not all varieties can adapt and grow on the windowsill. It is optimal to select small-leaved and compact species.

In addition to excellent taste and aromatic qualities, basil attracts home gardeners with decorative properties, therefore, by planting greens with different shades of foliage, you can create a special comfort in the house.

Thus, varieties such as Basilisk, Delight, Clove, Marquis, Dwarf, Yerevan, Orion, Lemon, Purple Glitter, Thai Queen, Philosopher, Green Aroma, Desktop, Red Ruby and others are suitable for growing basil on the windowsill.

The variety of plant varieties allows you to choose a variety based on your individual preferences, and growing several varieties of basil on the windowsill at the same time can be the best option.

Growing basil from seeds on a windowsill: step by step instructions

Before sowing seeds, you should choose a suitable container, soil, and only if you wish, you can prepare - soak and germinate the planting material itself.

What container to grow

For the initial sowing of basil seeds for seedlings, it is recommended to use any flat containers or bowls.

It is very convenient to grow basil seedlings in individual cassettes.

In the future, for planting seedlings, it is necessary to find more capacious pots, at least 15 cm deep.

Do not forget about drainage: there should be at least holes at the bottom of the landing tanks so that excess water drains into the pan, and a 3 cm layer of expanded clay is poured in permanent pots.

Required potting mix

The most common substrate for sowing basil seeds or rooting cuttings at home is suitable - universal for growing seedlings, which you can purchase at any gardening store. The main thing is that it must meet the basic requirement - to be light and loose, which means it allows air to pass to the root system and not retain moisture.

You can prepare the soil for growing basil in the following ways from the following components:

• humus, garden soil and peat (1:1:1);
• humus and coconut fibers (2:1).

Important! Before sowing seeds or rooting cuttings, the soil should be disinfected, and any, even purchased. This can be done by steaming it in a double boiler or roasting it in the oven. In addition, it is additionally recommended to shed the soil with a pink solution of potassium permanganate or.

Seed preparation

Before sowing, it is required to prepare the planting material, which will improve germination and will contribute to uniform seed germination.

But! It is believed that basil, even without any pre-sowing preparation (soaking), sprouts well on moist soil.

For example, you can first soak basil seeds in hot water (about 70 degrees) for 15 minutes, and then put them on a damp cloth (or cotton pads). As a rule, the seeds hatch already for 1-2 days.

After that, you can further process (disinfect) the seeds in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for 10-20 minutes.

Advice! Hatching seeds can be planted at some distance from each other, so that later they do not dive or thin out.

Direct sowing of seeds

Successful cultivation of basil at home largely depends on the correct sowing.

Step-by-step instructions for sowing basil seeds for further cultivation on the windowsill:

• Pour the substrate into the prepared pots (at the same time, you should not fill it completely, somewhere around 2/3 will be enough).
• Level the surface of the soil and compact.
• Moisten the soil with a spray bottle.
• Evenly spread the prepared seeds, slightly pressing them into the soil (no more than 0.5-1 cm).

Dry seeds are sown superficially, and already sprouted seeds can be lightly sprinkled with earth (1-1.5 cm).

• Moisten crops by spraying from a spray bottle.
• Cover the container with a transparent lid or film to create a greenhouse effect.
• Put the container in a dark and warm place (optimal temperature +25 degrees) until shoots appear.

Transplanting basil from open ground to a pot

Advice! It is optimal to transplant at the end of the summer season (in September), so to speak, taking the plant home for the winter.

In general, the easiest way is to dig up and transplant a young basil bush from the open ground into a pot. It is more than easy to do this: they dug it with a clod of earth, put the plant in a pot, at the bottom of which there is already drainage (holes and a layer of expanded clay), poured earth on the sides, watered it and put it on a light windowsill.

By the way! In order for the bush to be updated, after transplanting, cut off its top, which you can use as a cutting.

Interesting! And you can also grow basil on the windowsill (or any other greenery) by simply buying greens in a pot in a supermarket, and then planting its rhizomes in the ground, before treating (sprinkling) them with one of the growth and root formation stimulants (Zircon, Epin or Kornevin).

Growing basil from cuttings on a windowsill

Cuttings are probably the fastest way to get basil greens in just a few weeks.

Where to get cuttings? They can be cut directly from the basil bush, if you have one on the site. Or just buy a package in the supermarket. The main thing is that the greens are not lethargic.

The cutting should be 5 centimeters long. It should cut off all the extra lower leaves, and you can additionally cut the top leaves in half.

The very rooting of basil cuttings is carried out in a standard way: put the cuttings in water, and the container itself in a bright place, for example, on the same windowsill.

Advice! The water in the tank should be changed as often as possible, optimally every day.

After 7-10 days, you will already notice small roots on the cuttings, and as soon as they reach a length of 3-4 cm, germinated basil cuttings can be transplanted into a pot with soil.

Further cultivation of basil is carried out in the same way as planted with seeds.

And you can do it differently: first, as usual, cut the cuttings, cut off the extra leaves. Then immediately plant them in containers with earth (humus) and cover with something on top, for example, a plastic bag or a plastic lid to create a greenhouse effect.

Video: how to grow basil at home by planting cuttings directly into the ground

Caring for basil on the windowsill

When friendly shoots appear (when growing from seeds) the container should be placed in a bright place (window) and the temperature should be reduced to +20 degrees, which will prevent the plants from stretching.

Also, if desired, you can begin to adapt seedlings to environmental conditions. To do this, you need to begin to gradually remove the shelter from the container (first for 30 minutes a day, then for an hour), which will enable the seedlings to gradually get used to the new conditions. After 7-10 days, the shelter must be completely removed.

By the way! Many do not carry out any adaptation, and the shelter is removed immediately after germination.

By the way! When the basil grows a little (up to 5-7 in height), sprinkle 2-3 cm of earth under the elongated sprouts.

Picking or thinning

As soon as the seedlings get stronger, significantly increase in growth, and it will have 1-2 true leaves, you can a pick plants in separate more spacious containers, if initially you planted in a common and shallow one.

Video: sowing basil and picking seedlings

By the way! Otherwise, if you sowed immediately into a constant container of the optimal size, you can simply thin out the seedlings, leaving the strongest ones so that there is a sufficient distance between them (5-10 cm).

Choosing a suitable place and conditions of detention: light, temperature

Basil prefers to grow in nature in open areas and at elevated air temperatures, in other words, the place should be warm and sunny. Therefore, in order to grow basil at home, on the windowsill, it is necessary to take into account these preferences and choose a place as close as possible to the natural conditions for the growth of fragrant greenery.

Best for growing basil at home south window sill, but, in principle, you can place greenery on the east or west window. In a sense, this is an even more advantageous place, because. during the period of too active sun in the spring and on hot summer days, if the plant is located in the south window, you will absolutely need to shade the basil to avoid burning the foliage.

Important! This tropical greenery does not tolerate drafts very well. Therefore, be sure to seal the cracks in the window frames for the winter.

Since the plant loves warmth, the air temperature should not fall below + 18-20 degrees, otherwise it will slow down its growth and stop developing. It is optimal that the temperature is kept within + 22-25 degrees.

By the way! When it gets warm enough outside, the basil pots can be taken out to the balcony or loggia.

For the full growth of the basil at home on the windowsill daylight hours are required at least 12 hours, and preferably 14-16 hours, therefore, during short days (especially in late autumn, winter and early spring), it is recommended to provide the plant with additional lighting, highlighting with special phytolamps or full-spectrum LED lamps.

Important! In winter, in the morning and evening hours, as well as when it is cloudy, it is worth turning on phytolamps so that the daylight hours are at least 12 hours.

Watering

Watering is carried out as needed, avoiding drying out and excessive moistening of the earthy coma.

Watering itself should be carried out with settled water at room temperature.

The regularity of moistening the soil in a pot directly depends on the temperature regime: the higher the temperature, the more often watering.

In winter, if you have a special cool place for greenery, watering should be significantly reduced.

Also, home-grown basil needs high humidity, so if the room is dry, then the foliage of the plant must be additionally sprayed. This is especially true in the cold period of time, when the central heating batteries are “fried”.

On particularly hot days, a pot of basil can be placed in a container with expanded clay filled with water. This will increase the evaporation of moisture and thereby increase the humidity of the air.

By the way! If you notice that after watering, due to excessively dry air, a crust forms on the surface of the soil, then you should carry out loosening.

top dressing

After transplanting basil seedlings into a permanent pot, it is worth starting to carry out regular top dressing, using any universal fertilizer for this. Suitable: "Barrel", "Agricola", "Energen".

Pinching

In order for the plant to bush better, when the basil is still small (1-1.5 months after sowing, when it has 4-6 true leaves), you should pinch its top so that the plant grows not only up, but also gives side shoots.

Important! When flower stalks appear on the plant, they must be promptly cut with scissors, since after flowering, basil greens become stiff and lose their aroma.

When to Harvest Homemade Basil

You can use basil leaves for food when the height of the plant reaches 15 cm. At this stage, as a rule, the formation of the main stem of the plant is completed, so the loss of leaves will not affect the development of basil.

Note! However, you can not break off the stems, otherwise the plant will dry out. You can collect only leaves (lateral), and it is the top ones. It is better to cut them with scissors, and not open them, because this way you can damage the stem.

Naturally, when growing basil from seeds, ripening and harvesting will occur much later than when planting with cuttings:

• when grown from cuttings - 3-4 weeks after rooting;
• from seeds - in 3-4 months.

Having mastered the technique of growing basil on the windowsill, you can provide yourself and your family with fresh herbs all year round, including in winter. And then the prepared dishes will have a special taste and aroma, no matter what season is outside the window.

Video: growing basil on the windowsill

In contact with

Basil is an indispensable spice in many dishes. And also it is used for cosmetic purposes for rinsing hair and in infusions for baths. If you decide to master the cultivation of greenery on the windowsill, you can safely start training on the basil. It grows all year round and does not require much care.

How to grow basil at home

Basil is grown from seeds, cuttings, or young, not yet flowering plants from the garden in the country are transplanted into flowerpots for the winter.

Which basil is suitable for a window

For growing on the windowsill, choose undersized varieties that form a bush: cinnamon basil (plant up to 50 cm in height with a bright cinnamon taste), small-leaved basil (has a sweet, delicate taste), anise basil, bush basil. Pay special attention to purple basil, or regan - it is very good for Caucasian cuisine.

Photo gallery: types of basil for growing at home

Transplanting a plant from open ground

For transplanting basil, choose young bushes that have not yet tied buds.

Transplant process:

1. The plant is dug up along with a clod of earth.
2. Expanded clay or pebbles for drainage are placed at the bottom of a container chosen according to the size of the earth coma.
3. They put the bush in a pot, sprinkle the earth on the sides of the pot.
4. Check that the root collar does not remain deeper than it was.
5. Keep the plant on a windowsill in a sunny place at a temperature of 20–25 ° C.

With this method of growing, the basil will soon bloom, and you will have to use it as a cutting donor for new plants. To get as much "green" as possible and delay the moment of flowering, the bushes must be pinched and watered well.

Basil should be grown in a sunny location.

Reproduction by cuttings

Cuttings are the fastest and most convenient way to propagate basil. This process includes the following steps:

The soil for basil should be fertile, but light. You can take the land from the garden and add humus or soil for indoor plants. Do not forget about drainage: excess water should not stagnate, otherwise the roots will begin to rot. Keep the flowerpot in a warm, bright place. The first greens can be cut after 3 weeks. When cuttings, the basil bush will delight you for 3-4 months. Then you have to start over.

Growing aromatic herbs from seeds

If you want the plant to serve as long as possible, then choose this method. Seeds are bought at any garden store or ordered by mail. Before sowing, they should be prepared:

In order not to injure the future bush with transplants, sow the seeds immediately in a permanent pot. The optimal volume is about a liter.

To prevent diseases, before planting, calcine the earth in the oven for about an hour at a temperature of 110–120 ° C.

In addition, complex fertilizer must be applied to the soil. Seed sowing process:

Some lovers do not consider it necessary to do drainage when planting and transplanting basil, since there are holes in the flowerpot. This carelessness can cost you the loss of plants, because stagnant water is the main cause of almost all fungal diseases.

Periodically loosen the soil, regularly water and spray a young bush from a spray bottle. In summer, this should be done every day so that the earth is moist, but not wet, and in winter it is enough to water 2 times a week. Regardless of the time of year, the temperature in the room should be at least 20°C. Protect basil from drafts. As soon as the daylight hours begin to wane, you need to start highlighting your bush - the basil should have a 12-hour daylight hours.

In the autumn-winter season, the basil needs highlighting

Pinch off the top periodically to keep the basil fluffier and produce new side branches. The first real pruning can be done in 1–1.5 months. When pruning, always leave 4 lower leaves so that the plant does not stretch upwards. As soon as you notice the first buds, immediately cut off them and the two leaves that follow them, otherwise the taste of basil will begin to deteriorate.

Video: the nuances of growing basil at home

Diseases and pests of basil

Basil is threatened by fungal diseases: blackleg and fusarium. The black leg affects the plant with increased acidity of the soil or excessive watering. Air does not enter the root system, and it begins to rot, the stem becomes soft, turns yellow, and then blackens. If a disease is detected, immediately remove the affected sprout, and pour a strong dark raspberry solution of potassium permanganate on the place where it sat. If the disease is still transmitted to other plants, Fitosporin or Topaz will have to be applied.

Basil sprouts affected by blackleg should be removed.

The development of Fusarium is promoted by elevated air temperature and excessive humidity. In the affected bushes, the stem gradually thins and turns brown, they become lethargic and die. At the initial stage of the disease, an infusion of onion peel will help (it is poured with water in a ratio of 1: 4 and insisted for a day). Strain the infusion and spray it on the damaged plant.

Fusarium can lead to the death of basil

The aphid sucks the juices out of the plant

As soon as you notice this pest, you need to take urgent measures to combat it. You can use natural remedies - decoctions:

• wormwood,
• tansy,
• hot pepper,
• dandelion,
• yarrow,
• Luke,
• garlic,
• mustard,
• tops of a tomato or potato.

Spray basil 2-3 times a week. If necessary, repeat the course of treatment.

Basil is unpretentious and grows well at home. In addition, the cost of growing it is negligible compared to the price in the supermarket. For seasoning, a couple of basil leaves are usually enough, and so that the rest do not deteriorate, it is recommended to dry them.

Hello! My name is Olga. I am 41. Area of ​​interest - everything related to agriculture.

Basil of any variety and type can be grown on the windowsill. This plant has purple or green hues, small or large leaves and a pleasant smell. In order for it to take place at home, it must be located in a warm and sunny place, provided with good watering, fertile soil and high-quality drainage. In the article we will tell you how to grow basil on the windowsill, give advice on care, watering.

To grow basil on a windowsill, provide it with all the necessary conditions for full growth.

If you decide to grow this plant at home, then start doing it from seeds, and not from cuttings. In this case, the plant is well received and less sick, but it will take longer to wait for the harvest. You can start sowing at any time of the year. If you grow from shoots, then make every effort so that the basil takes root. The leaf is cut off from the top or middle of the stem. We put the leaf in water, and after 4-6 days it gives a root. After that, proceed to planting in the ground. Read also the article: → "Spicy herbs - we grow ourselves."

Before this procedure, take into account the following points:

• Choose the right type of basil;
• Prepare the ground;
• Soak the seeds;
• Choose containers for growing plants.

The best varieties of basil to grow on the windowsill

There are hundreds of types of basil in nature, but only a few of them are used for food. For home cultivation, give preference to low-growing and decorative varieties. Choose the best option for you, depending on the qualities of the plant.

Popular varieties include:

• Clove aroma - basil with a spicy and strong aroma. Such basil is used everywhere: in conservation, in the form of seasonings for a meat dish, they are used fresh. Plant height - 20-25 centimeters, but there is dense foliage. It is found on the balconies and window sills of the hostesses.
• Thai queen - dark green leaves. In growth goes up to fifty centimeters. Grow both indoors and in the garden. Read also the article: → "How to grow spicy herbs in the country."
• Osmin is a small, bronze-colored plant. It is dried or consumed fresh.
• Marquis is a plant with small foliage and small size.
• Dwarf - the lowest among the varieties of basil. Reaches a maximum of twenty centimeters in length. It has a sharp and spicy taste and rounded leaves. Colors range from green to purple.

Basil "Dwarf" is a good option for growing on a windowsill.

Preparing soil and seeds for sowing

Soil from the garden is suitable for basil, but it should be fertilized with mineral fertilizers. It should be light and fertile. Remove all roots and weeds from it. If it is possible to buy special land for planting ornamental crops, this is wonderful.

Tip #1 Such soil does not need to be fertilized. An earthen substrate is perfect - a mixture of biohumus with coconut fiber.

If you have the time and desire to create a fertile and light soil, then pay attention to the following components.

As for seeds, they should be bought in a special store. A prerequisite is soaking the seeds in a solution of manganese before planting. You need to keep them there for 4-6 hours.

Soak the seeds in a weak manganese solution before sowing.

Container for planting basil

To make basil grow comfortably on your windowsill, find a wooden box, plastic container, or flower pot for it. Depending on the amount of planting material, the number of planting containers is also selected. Take care of the holes through which excess moisture will escape.

The process of sowing basil

After all this, you can start sowing basil. Plant the plant in a large container, if you plant it in a small one, you will have to, then dive. Do not plant seeds deeper than two centimeters. there should be a distance of 8-10 cm between the seeds. The earth should be moist and pass through the drainage. Expanded clay, pebbles, white bricks or shards may lie at the bottom. Keep a distance of at least fifteen centimeters between each seed.

Tip #2 After sowing, cover the containers with oilcloth until sprouts appear. This will happen within five days, at a temperature of +23 to +26 degrees.

Plant care and watering

Seedlings should be carefully looked after so that they grow and form faster. The important steps are:

1. watering;
2. temperature maintenance;
3. top dressing;
4. pruning;
5. correct lighting.

The plant should be watered every day, and the best is in the morning. If the days are hot and the soil dries out quickly, then evening watering can be added. Daily watering - not recommended, due to the risk of burns. Watering is carried out only with settled and warm water. So that an earthen crust does not appear from frequent watering, loosen the soil once every seven days. Thanks to this manipulation, the root system is enriched with oxygen.

The temperature regime, as mentioned earlier, should be conducive to the development of the plant. At lower temperatures, the plant stops growing and loses its taste. At higher levels, it fades, dries out and disappears. If the room air is dry, then spray the plant with water several times a day. Also put a jar of water next to it to humidify the air. Read also the article: → "How to grow onions and other herbs in an apartment."

Tip #3 Ensure the optimum allowable temperature on the balcony, for a good growth of basil - it is +22 - +26 degrees.

As for top dressing, once every two weeks, basil should be fertilized with complex mineral fertilizers. Complexes for vegetables are suitable for this plant. Complex mineral fertilizers contain:

• Phosphorus;
• Potassium;
• Nitrogen;
• Calcium.

You can use the following complexes:

• Nitrophoska;
• Ammophos;
• Nitroammophoska;
• calcium nitrate;
• Diammophos;
• Potassium monophosphate.

Application rates are indicated in the table.

They also use Agrolife or Rostom as top dressing. Agrolife is poured onto the top layer of soil, in the amount of one teaspoon, Growth is diluted in water in the proportions of 1 cap: 2 liters. If there is biohumus, then it is added to the soil. When transplanting, the plant is fed with the following composition: 3 g of wood ash, superphosphate 3 g, ammonium nitrate 2 g. It is recommended to dilute everything in one liter of water.

Tip #4 Cut off the first basil greens in a month, this will promote the growth and strengthening of the plant. If you pinch off the top, the basil will bush.

Lighting and additional illumination of the basil

The plant loves light and warmth. If you decide to start growing basil in the autumn-winter period, then provide it with additional lighting. In winter and autumn, the days are short, and these hours are not enough for the plant to grow, so if you want to get a good harvest, you should work hard. Get a special lighting device, a lamp. Light the plant from 15 to 20 hours a day, if this is not possible, then your crop is at risk. In this case, start sowing in early March, when daylight hours increase. There should be no draft, because the basil can not stand it.

If there is not enough sunlight in winter, use additional lighting.

Harvest and use

When harvesting, pick only the tops, and the plant will not produce color and will continue to branch. If the plant blooms, then it will have to be pulled out. It remains in the case when you need to collect the seeds. Basil can be dried or used fresh. It is added to pickles and to various dishes. In a glass container, the dried plant can lie up to 5 years. It is not recommended to store in plastic and metal. If you want to keep it fresh, then use the refrigerator for this.

1. Choose a spacious and wide container for planting basil.

Plant your plants in large pots.

1. Keep an eye on watering. Avoid excessive soil moisture and dryness.
2. Place the plant boxes on the sunny side.
3. Do a splitting of the top, for the growth of the plant.
4. Feed your basil every two weeks to improve the quality and growth of the plant.

Answers to questions about growing basil at home

Question number 1. Does basil get sick if you grow it on a windowsill and how to prevent these diseases?

Yes, the plant is sick, both in open ground and when grown on a balcony or windowsill. It is affected by Fusarium and gray mold.

1. Fusarium is a dangerous fungal disease that affects a plant at any age. Basil leaves turn yellow and the stem is thin. The root system is rotting. The plant dies instantly, if appropriate measures are not taken, the disease will spread further. Fusarium appears due to excessively humid air and soil. Also, the infection could already be present in the soil or seeds. To prevent disease, it is advised to treat the seeds before sowing and do not water the plant excessively. If the disease manifests itself, then the affected plant is pulled out, and the rest are treated with Fundazol.
2. Gray mold is a microscopic fungus that infects the plant when waterlogged. In this case, the plant withers, fades, and spots appear on the leaves, in the form of burns. For preventive purposes, monitor the ratio of moisture, light and heat. Spray the plant with special preparations. At the first signs of illness, remove damaged leaves, stems and burn them.

Question number 2. What varieties of basil, besides "Osmin", "Thai Queen", "Clove Aroma", "Marquis" and "Dwarf", are grown on the windowsill?

Popular varieties of basil:

• "Anise aroma" - such a name because of the bright anise flavor. It flaunts with its branched stems and spreading crown. It grows up to 50-60 centimeters.
• "Broad-leaved" - basil with large green leaves. Used fresh and dried.
• 'Yerevan' has purple leaves and matures quickly. Twenty days later they are already eaten.
• "Lemon flavor" - thanks to its citrus aroma, it is widely used to flavor dishes, but the variety is rare.
• "Basilisk" - peppery-clove smell and taste. Early maturing. Grows up to 25 cm in height.
• "Philosopher" - purple foliage and clove aroma. Grows up to 30cm.
• "Troll" - small purple-green foliage. Grows up to 40 cm.

Question number 3. How to care for rooted basil?

With sprouts up to 6 cm, they do not loosen, but only water the plant. Then once every four days the soil is loosened. Water once a day, but if the soil is too wet, do it less often. Remember that with an excess of moisture, diseases appear: Gray mold and Fusarium. Feed with complex mineral fertilizers every 3-4 weeks.

Question number 4. How is basil divided by ripening time?

There are early, middle, late and transitional varieties.

• The early ones include: "Yerevan", "Basilisk", "Clove aroma".
• To the middle - "Anise aroma", "Lemon aroma", "Marquis".
• To the later ones - "Broad-leaved".

Question number 5. Why cover the basil with a film before germination?

For fast shoots, maximum heat and light should be provided. By covering with a film, you will provide good heating for the seeds, which will sprout within 4-5 days.

For faster germination, cover the seed pots with plastic wrap.

4 Common Grower Mistakes

1. When growing basil on a windowsill, choose ornamental and undersized varieties. Tall people should not be preferred. They will take up a lot of space and will obscure each other. You will not be able to provide them with full-fledged conditions for growth and development on a balcony or windowsill.
2. Immediately plant the plant in large containers. They need enough space to grow. If this is done in small pots, then they will have to be transplanted. A transplant for a plant is a stress from which not all seedlings survive.
3. Do not sow seeds close to each other. In the future, they will have to be seated again or thinned out.
4. Do not pluck basil at the root. This should be done from the top. With such a break, the plant will not bloom, and this will improve its growth.

In the article we tell you how to grow basil at home. You will learn about preparing seeds and soil, how to plant and care for it, and what to do so that basil grows healthy, juicy, beautiful and gives a good harvest on the windowsill even in winter.

How to grow basil from seeds

Basil can be grown at any time of the year at home

Growing basil on a windowsill differs little from the more familiar way of planting seeds in open ground in a personal plot. If you decide to grow a plant at home, take the advice of experienced gardeners.

To successfully grow basil on a windowsill, you need to find out what optimal conditions the plant needs for growth and development.

For good growth, a warm and light-loving basil requires:

• light structural soil;
• scope for the development of a voluminous root system;
• heat (optimal temperature +25 degrees);
• a lot of sunlight;
• regular watering.

Basil doesn't like:

• moisture stagnation;
• draft;
• sudden changes in temperature;
• shading.

Growing basil on a windowsill is possible both by sowing seeds and planting cuttings. Although with the first method of harvesting it will take longer to wait, and more effort will be required, but you will get a strong plant with delicate foliage and rich aroma.

Seed selection

For planting basil at home on the windowsill, you should choose small-leaved species, the height of which does not exceed 50 cm. Experienced gardeners recommend paying attention to the following varieties of basil:

• marquis- medium early, height up to 25 cm, green mass in the form of a ball or pyramid, bright peppery-clove aroma;
• Baskuro- dark green leaves form into a lush hat, the variety is great for planting in pots;
• Dwarf- leaves of green or purple color, height from 10 to 18 cm, rich spicy aroma;
• Osmin– original bronze foliage, undersized variety;
• Basilisk- early ripening, height up to 25 cm, spicy pepper-clove aroma;
• Troll- small leaves of purple-green color, bush height up to 40 cm;
• Philosopher- purple leaves with a strong clove aroma, height up to 30 cm;
• Minette- a series of dwarf varieties no more than 30 cm high, ideal for growing in containers, small leaves create a dense mass.

Be sure to check that the expiration date indicated on the package has not expired.

Seed preparation

It is a mistake to believe that basil seeds require special preparation. From inexperience, it can be assumed that for better growth, the seeds must first be soaked. So it will be easier for them to hatch, the basil in a pot at home will grow faster. Such a procedure is really necessary for the seeds of some plant species, for example, cucumbers. However, basil is not one of them.

Never soak the seed if you want to grow basil on a windowsill in the winter or in your garden in the summer. After lying even for several hours in water, the seeds will become covered with mucus, this will negatively affect their growth.

The preparation of seed material is reduced to the selection of the best seeds from the package and the elimination of small, blackened, broken shells. To prevent fungal diseases, seeds can be treated with fungicides ("Fitosporin-M", "Vitaros", etc.).

Soil preparation

The voluminous root system determines the choice of container for growing basil at home. You can use a large flower pot (ceramic is best), a wooden box, or a special seedling container. In all cases, containers must have drainage holes. They will provide drainage of excess water after watering.

Before filling the ground, do not forget to lay a drainage 2-3 cm high on the bottom of 2-3 cm - fine expanded clay, pebbles or crushed brick.

The easiest way is to buy a ready-made soil mixture, it is enriched with the necessary trace elements for good plant growth. Choose a universal soil for seedlings - it has a structural composition.

If there is no opportunity to purchase a ready-made mixture, then it is easy to prepare it yourself. In order for basil in a pot or container to grow strong and healthy, one of the following compositions will do:

• peat, earth and humus in equal proportions;
• 2 parts of humus and earth and 1 part of coconut fibers (you can buy special pots made of coconut fiber for seedlings, and when the plant gets stronger, transplant it into a permanent container together with the coconut pot);
• 1 part of humus, 2 parts of peat and earth with the addition of a tablespoon of urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate;
• 2 parts earth and 1 part fresh compost.

Before using ordinary land from a personal plot, it must be subjected to heat treatment for disinfection. To do this, pour the required amount of soil into a metal dish (on a baking sheet) and place in the oven for 20 minutes at the maximum temperature.

It is also possible to destroy pests and disease vectors that can destroy a plant with a solution of potassium permanganate. Dissolve a few granules in a liter of boiled water and carefully spill the soil brought from the dacha.

Sowing basil seeds

For those who are learning how to grow basil on a windowsill in winter, it will be helpful to be reminded that the best time to sow seeds is March-April. If you plant a plant in early spring, then during the period of active growth and development, it will receive the maximum amount of sunlight. Nobody forbids you to grow a fragrant spice at other times of the year. You just need to remember that success will require more effort.

To successfully grow basil on a windowsill in winter, follow the following sequence when planting seeds:

• thoroughly moisten the soil so that flowing water appears on the pallet;
• after half an hour, make holes in the soil at a distance of 2 cm with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm and a depth of not more than 2 cm;
• moisten them with a little water from a spray bottle;
• carefully place one or two seeds in each (in the second case, the seeds should not lie close to each other);
• sprinkle the seeds with a small amount of earth, kneading it thoroughly in your hands (any lumps with which you cover the seeds will inhibit their germination).

Cover the container with plastic wrap, creating the effect of a greenhouse, and place in a warm and dark place. The sun's rays will be required for the basil when it sprouts, but in the meantime, excessive heating will lead to the accumulation of excess condensation.

Every day for 1-2 weeks, until the first shoots appear, the film must be lifted to remove excess condensate and ventilate. If the soil is dry, spray it with room temperature filtered water from a spray bottle.

Do not water unsprouted seeds from a watering can, so as not to nail the ground and complicate the growth of basil. If the soil is moist due to condensation, it does not need to be watered additionally.

As soon as the seeds hatch and the plant appears above the ground, remove the film and place the pot or box in sunlight.

When the third leaf appears, carefully add no more than 5 centimeters of earth - this will help the shoots gain strength. Do not forget to water the seedlings daily, directing a thin stream of water at the roots, but not at the leaves. Many gardeners use a medical syringe (without a needle) for watering.

When learning how to grow basil from seed on a windowsill, don't forget to pick. The procedure consists in transplanting three-four-week-old plants to a permanent place. You can plant a few sprouts in a beautiful flower pot, or plant them at least 10 cm apart in a box. For better development of the root system during picking, use a root formation stimulator (Kornevin, Root, Zircon, etc.).

plant care

It is important to properly care for basil at home

In order for the basil bush to grow well, it is necessary to maintain optimal conditions for its growth:

• lighting - at least 12 hours;
• the optimum temperature is 20-25 degrees (at a lower temperature, the plant will slow down growth, and its leaves will lose their taste);
• lack of drafts - make sure that it does not blow from the cracks in the window frames, and the air from the open window passes by the plant;
• regular watering - if the container is large, then water more often, the main thing is that the water does not stagnate on the surface.

How to care for basil in winter

Dreams of growing basil on your own windowsill are easy to make a reality, because the plant is unpretentious, grows rapidly both in summer and winter. Although in the cold season he needs special care:

1. It is not necessary to water the basil too often in winter - twice a week will be enough. Make sure that the soil does not dry out and at the same time does not turn into porridge.
2. A big problem of winter growth will be the lack of natural light. To make up for it, install phyto or LED lamps with white light at a distance of no closer than 20 cm from the plant.
3. Once a month, feed the plant with organic fertilizers ("Biogumus" or "Agrolife" - 1 tsp each).
4. Loosen the soil regularly without deepening the teeth of the garden tool so as not to damage the root system.

For more information on how to plant basil at home, see this video:

Other ways to plant basil at home

How to grow basil at home in winter from cuttings? Choose one of the ways:

1. Buy potted basil from the grocery store and transplant it into a larger container at home.
2. Cut a few branches from a growing basil bush, carefully remove the lower leaves, put the cutting in water - in a few days the branch will take root (to speed up the process, add a root stimulant to the water). After the root system is strong, transplant the cutting into the ground.

For information on how to grow basil in a summer cottage and in a greenhouse, read the article basil - planting and care in the open field.

Basil grown at home can be planted outdoors

How to harvest properly

In order not to damage the fragile plant and force the basil growing in the apartment to form a thick mass of leaves, pinching should be done a month and a half after germination. Check that the plant already has 6 true leaves. You can pinch off two of them and try the first harvest. After another week, cut off the top of each stem with scissors, leaving small leaves growing in the axils. This procedure can be carried out once every 2 weeks.

To add to food or drinks, choose older leaves growing on the central stem from above on the bush. If you cut off only the lower leaves, then the basil will begin to stretch. Leave at least 4 leaves on the plant.

When growing basil on a windowsill from seeds or cuttings, as soon as you notice the first flowers, immediately remove them along with the two lower leaves. If this is not done, the plant will wither after a while.

Diseases to which basil is susceptible

Being resistant to most diseases, basil most often dies due to fungal infection.

Blackleg

Features of the disease:

• softening and blackening of the basal part of the stem;
• seedlings are more susceptible;
• causes: excessive watering and insufficient soil aeration (stagnant water);
• treatment and prevention: spray the plant with a solution of biological fungicides ("AlirinB", "Gamair") and water - 4 tablets per 10 liters.

Fusarium

Features of the disease:

• root rot, yellowing of leaves, thinning of stems;
• both young shoots and adult plants fall ill;
• causes: infected seeds or soil, sudden changes in temperature and humidity;
• treatment and prevention: treat the plant with biopreparations "Fitocide" or "FitosporinM".

Gray rot

Features of the disease:

• brown spots and a gray coating of mold appear on the leaves and stems;
• the fungus infects adult plants;
• reasons: insufficient feeding, high humidity, poor ventilation;
• the treatment will be successful if, at the initial stage, the plant is sprayed with an infusion of onion peel (onion peel is poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1:4 and infused for 24 hours).

To prevent fungal diseases, after you have planted basil at home, do not forget about the rules of watering, regular ventilation and loosening of the soil, and the application of mineral fertilizers.

What to remember

1. When learning how to grow basil on a windowsill, remember that you can do this both with seeds and cuttings.
2. Before planting, it is important to properly prepare the soil - pour drainage and disinfect the soil brought from the dacha using heat treatment.
3. Soaking basil seeds in water is not necessary, but fungicide treatment will not be superfluous.
4. Basil should receive at least 12 hours of sunlight per day. It grows well at a temperature of 20-25 degrees, but does not like drafts.
5. During irrigation, water stagnation is not allowed.
6. Use the upper large leaves for food so that the bush forms a uniform and lush greenery.

Basil is a plant that is ideal for growing at home. The culture grows at any time of the year and is not whimsical. Therefore, even a beginner will cope with its cultivation. In our article we want to talk about how to grow basil on the windowsill.

What is basil?

Basil is an indispensable spice used by people since ancient times. The plant is rich in essential oils, therefore, in addition to cooking, it is also used in natural cosmetics. In good conditions, it grows in greenhouses, in gardens, so you should not even doubt whether it is possible to grow basil on a windowsill.

The culture originated from India. Presumably the name of the plant goes back to the Greek basileus, which means king or king. There are two different versions regarding the origin of culture. According to one of them, the basil was found near the place where Queen Elena once discovered the True Cross. According to another version, the plant was used to treat persons of royal families.

Basil has long been used for religious rituals in Orthodoxy (in the Balkans and Greece) and Hinduism. Ayurveda appreciates culture not only for its cosmetic, but also for its medicinal properties. There are many varieties of basil. In cooking, fragrant varieties are often used. All of them differ not only in appearance, but also in smell and taste.

Which variety do you prefer?

Basil attracts not only as a culinary supplement, but also as a medicinal plant. At home, it can be used as an interior decoration. Recently, the popularity of the plant has been increasing more and more. Therefore, thinking about how to grow basil on the windowsill, you should decide which variety you prefer to see on your balcony. We have already said that the plant is unpretentious. However, it should be understood that not every variety is suitable for growing at home. The most acceptable options may be the following types: spoon-shaped, Yerevan, Baku, marquis, clove aroma. These varieties are small-leaved, and therefore easier to cultivate at home. Large-leaved, on the other hand, need a sufficiently large number of trace elements that must be applied to the ground. Only experienced gardeners can handle such care. Therefore, novice housewives should pay attention to small-leaved varieties.

When a gardener already has experience in caring for simpler species, and understands how to grow basil on a windowsill, you can move on to other varieties.

Culture methods

How to grow basil on a windowsill? There are three ways:

1. An adult plant can be transplanted from the ground into a pot. This is what summer residents do, who grow crops in their garden plots in the summer. Young bushes that have not yet bloomed can be transplanted together with an earthen clod into a pot. However, the growing season of the plant is short, so it will bloom soon. And then you have to cut the shoots for planting young plants.
2. Growing a plant from cuttings. To do this, the tops or side shoots are cut off and placed in water. This is necessary for them to take root. Next, the basil is transplanted into a pot, the first greens can be cut in two to three weeks. Such bushes can serve you for about three to four months, after which it is again necessary to renew the plant.
3. Growing basil from seeds is the longest way. Good greenery will not be available soon. If you need a faster result, then it is better to use the second method.

Best time to grow basil

How to grow basil on a windowsill in winter? In principle, basil can be grown at any time of the year, including in winter. However, it should be understood that the plant belongs to light-loving and heat-loving crops, and therefore more effort will be required to maintain it during cold periods.

Some housewives wrap basil pots with polyethylene in winter to protect them from drafts and increase the temperature. In addition, from October to March, in our climate, the basilica does not have enough sunlight, so the plants will have to be highlighted. This will help to increase daylight hours artificially. To simplify the care of the plant, many housewives prefer to sow the seeds in February, then the main period of active growth of the crop will fall just in time for a period with a sufficient length of daylight hours. And in the summer, basil will feel great on the window in the apartment.

How to grow basil from seeds on a windowsill?

Before you start planting, you need to prepare the ground. You can take good soil from your summer cottage, or you can purchase a ready-made substrate. A little peat can be added to the soil from the garden to facilitate it.

Sometimes basil is planted in a mixture of peat and humus (humus can be replaced with coconut fiber) in a ratio of 2:1. Before sowing, the seeds should be held for a couple of hours in a raspberry-colored potassium permanganate solution.

When talking about how to grow basil on a windowsill in an apartment, it is worth remembering that you need to pick up pots for plants for planting. There are two options here. You can sow the seeds in small containers (200 g), and later transplant the plants into larger pots. But in general, you can immediately use large boxes, this will save you from unnecessary trouble. Expanded clay should be placed at the bottom of the vessels as drainage. Seeds are sown in moist soil to a depth of no more than one centimeter at a distance of 7-10 centimeters from each other. After that, the pots should be tightened with cling film and not removed until shoots appear. Further, in order to quickly grow basil at home on the windowsill, you should create optimal conditions. At a temperature of + 22-28 degrees, the first shoots will appear in five to eight days.

Care of young shoots

As soon as young sprouts appear, it is immediately necessary to rearrange the pots in a well-lit and warm place. Plants need to be watered regularly. This should be done once a day, on the hottest summer days, you can moisten the soil in the morning and evening with water at room temperature. Periodically, basil can be sprayed with water, especially useful in summer.

To understand how to grow basil in a pot on a windowsill, you need to know that the plant is native to the subtropics. That is why culture needs an abundance of heat and light. In order for the plant to develop well and grow quickly on the windowsill, the air temperature should be at least +20 degrees, but +25 degrees is better, and the sun should shine for at least 4 hours a day.

Basil is very afraid of drafts. Adult bushes can loosen the soil once every three days. If the soil in pots is not very fertile, then periodically (no more than once a month) it should be fertilized. Any universal fertilizer based on gummates or organic compost is suitable as top dressing.

The first leaves can be cut off from the plant after 1.5 months. In the future, cutting off the greens, you need to leave at least three leaves on the stems. This is necessary so that new branches begin to form in the sinuses. When the basil grows up, it will be possible to pinch the top of it, then the bush will grow in breadth.

How to grow basil at home on a windowsill in winter?

If you decide to sow seeds in winter, then you will need more careful care in order to grow a good plant. On the one hand, the culture needs good watering, and on the other hand, excessive waterlogging can lead to diseases. Therefore, you need to be careful with water.

The most comfortable temperature for basil is + 20-25 degrees. In winter, for a plant, daylight hours are not long enough for normal development, so it must be additionally highlighted. To do this, in the evening, you can turn on the lamp for 3-4 hours. Basil does not tolerate temperature extremes and drafts.

Given these points, the culture can be grown at home and in the winter cold.

Diseases to which the plant is susceptible

Basil, like many other crops, is susceptible to various diseases. Of course, indoor plants get sick less than outdoor plants, but it’s still worth protecting yourself. The most common diseases that affect basil are fusarium and gray mold. So that your bushes are not struck by such ailments, you need to avoid overflow, since excessive moisture provokes an ailment. If the plant is still sick, then it is necessary to remove the affected stems in a timely manner so that they do not infect healthy shoots.

How to harvest properly?

In order for the plant to grow well and continue to develop in the future, you need to be able to properly harvest. You should never pinch off the basil at the very root, this can harm the plant. In order to increase the life of the plant, it is necessary to remove flower stalks as soon as they appear. Basil should not be pinched at the root, as this can kill the entire plant. In general, you can remove the leaves, but at the same time, 4-5 leaves should be left, in the future, new branches will begin to appear from their sinuses.

In order to less injure the bushes, it is better not to pinch off the foliage, but to cut it with scissors. Greens are easily removed by them, and the stems are not injured.

Knowing all the intricacies of the process, growing basil at home on the windowsill is quite simple. Therefore, every hostess can try her hand.

Basil- a favorite of many spicy greens, which gives a spicy taste and aroma to various dishes, as well as healthy.

High concentration essential oils allows the use of basil for cosmetic purposes, and in folk medicine.

In the summer, it grows in vegetable gardens, household plots, and in order to serve fresh herbs to the table all year round, you can grow basil in a pot in the walls of the house, it's simple enough.

Varieties of basil for growing at home

Small-leaved varieties of basil grow best at home, preferably plants that reach v no more than half a meter high.

Here are some of them:

• marquis- mid-early variety, undersized plant up to 25 cm, spherical or pyramidal shape, green leaves, have a pronounced clove-pepper aroma;
• Dwarf- compact bushes 10-18 cm in height, grown as aromatic herbs and as an ornamental plant, sometimes green and purple;
• Basilisk- compact bushes 20-25 cm high, leaves with a peppery-clove spicy taste and smell, early ripening;
• Troll- reaches 35-40 cm in height, the leaves are green-purple, small;
• Clove- medium-sized basil 35-45 cm high with a sharp clove-anise smell;
• Philosopher- undersized bushes (25-30 cm) with purple leaves, clove aroma;
• Spicy Globe- bushy basil with small leaves, forms sprawling, but compact bushes, has a lively spicy aroma;
• bush minette- miniature bushes, ideal for growing in containers, tiny leaves;
• Cinnamon- small bushes, leaves with the aroma of cinnamon; Small-leaved basil (piccolo) - the leaves are small and narrow, the taste is sweet, almost without astringency, the smell resembles allspice.

What conditions are required for growing basil

Basil has a developed root system, so for its cultivation you need deep enough and voluminous boxes, containers or flowerpots. basilica need regular watering, while good water permeability of the soil is important, so light structural soil should be used.

Be sure to have peat, humus or compost in the composition of the soil, clay will contribute to optimal water circulation, and to keep it from stagnation, you need a drainage layer for which fine gravel or expanded clay can be used.

Basil is a thermophilic and light-loving culture.

The window sill is the best place to grow it, in winter the necessary heat will be provided thanks to the heating radiator, and if there is not enough sunlight, it is necessary to arrange lighting. Important provide protection seedlings from drafts.

The best temperature for growing basil is 25⁰ . You can keep boxes with basil on a glazed and insulated balcony, loggia, especially if their heating and lighting are organized.

If balcony unheated, and it gets colder outside, it is necessary to cover the basil with a film, protecting it from wind and hypothermia.

Optimal time for sowing or planting cuttings basil is considered spring, March-April, then during the period of active growth, the plants will receive enough heat and light.

If the owners have sufficient experience, containers with basil are kept in a warm place, for example, on the kitchen windowsill, the heating radiator is on and artificial lighting is provided, the planting season does not matter.

Basil cuttings

Can you grow basil at home? two ways:

• from seeds;
• from cuttings.

If the house or friends already have a growing basil, you can cut cuttings from it, for this, the upper and middle parts of the stem are used. You can also buy a small container of growing basil from the store, if it's fresh, it's fine to serve. source of cuttings.

The cuttings are placed in water, the roots usually appear within a week, after two weeks they can be planted in the ground. Possibly also rooting cuttings immediately in the ground, from above they need to be covered with jars or cut PET bottles, to increase the likelihood of successful rooting, add a root formation stimulator when watering.

Basil takes root quite well during vegetative propagation, and when planting cuttings or seedlings, they quickly reach sizes that allow harvest.

But barely rooted cuttings are quite fragile, but sprouts grown from seeds are not so delicate, so sowing basil is considered more practical option., although it requires more time to wait for the harvest.

Sowing and preparation for it

Both the soil and the seeds need to be prepared. Self-prepared soil must be disinfected, heating in the oven for up to an hour, the soil purchased in specialized stores is being processed.

Directly soil before sowing heated to room temperature and enriched with mineral fertilizers or humic concentrate.

In the prepared soil, grooves are made with a depth 0.5-1 cm with row spacing of 10 cm, prepared seeds are sown in them, the distance between the seeds should also be not less than 7 cm.

The grooves are sprinkled with earth, the soil is moistened and covered with a transparent film or glass to preserve moisture. Boxes need to be kept in a warm place, for seed germination usually need 5-7 days.

Emerging shoots need good lighting, they must be illuminated for at least 16 hours a day.

When seedlings reached 5 cm in height, they can be transplanted into another box, more spacious and deep, or into pots, a bush from a bush at a distance 15 cm or more.

Rooted Basil Care

Till sprouts less than 5 cm, enough watering without loosening. After rooting of strengthened seedlings once every 2-3 days the soil must be loosened, watered if the soil dries up. Watering should not be excessive, otherwise the aerial part of the plants can be affected by mold and fungus.

Water the basil in the morning with water at room temperature. If worth hot dry weather, watering twice a day is possible, in the morning and in the afternoon. Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out from the moment one or two leaves appear on the seedlings and further with an interval about a month.

For top dressing composition is used: 10 g of a mixture of fertilizers is taken per liter of water: nitrogen (2 g), potash (3 g) and phosphorus (5 g). It is not necessary to thin out the planting if a sufficient distance is maintained between the plants when transplanting young seedlings.

In order for the leaves to grow more actively, the plant grows in breadth, you need to pinch off the upper shoots, pinching the tops begin after the appearance of 4-6 leaves.

During the flowering period the ovary of flowers is left only if the basil is grown for seeds, the buds of plants grown on a leaf break off, flowering should not be allowed. Then the leaves will be more fragrant, and the plant will not fade longer.

You can find more detailed instructions for growing basil at home in the video:

Harvesting basil

Indoors, basil grows quite slowly, and the leaves should not be cut until the bushes reach at least 10 cm in height. To replenish the supply of fresh greens for the table, it is enough to periodically break off or cut off the tops of the shoots from different bushes, several leaves each.

As a result, basil it will be better to bite, to give lush greens that can be used as needed without tearing the main plant. If you need to stock up a lot of greenery for the future, the stem is cut closer to the base, so that only 4 bottom leaves. New leaves will grow from their sinuses.

Thus it is annual plant will produce green for a long time.

Potential Problems When Growing Basil

Basil is a plant that is resistant to diseases and pests, but it also has there are weaknesses. Pests such as slugs and snails, as a rule, do not threaten basil growing at home on the windowsill. Weeds in the treated soil also rarely appear.

But gray mold and fusarium home-grown plants can also be affected, usually due to soil overflow. In this case, the affected leaves break off, if the disease has struck the stem, the plant must be uprooted, so that neighbors do not get infected. The soil is sprinkled with ashes and loosened so that the ashes penetrate deep into the soil.

Many today seek to create a spicy garden on the windowsill. This is both a hobby and a decorative element of the kitchen, and a constant source of fresh herbs for food. Basil is great for this purpose, but you need to know that this overseas guest can be very picky.

Varieties of basil for growing on the windowsill

In general, to organize a basil garden on the windowsill, any variety is suitable, but it is preferable to choose undersized and tufted ones.

Did you know? Ukrainian folk names for fragrant basil: fragrant cornflower, fragrant cornflowers, cornflower, cornflower, church cornflowers. "Cornflower" in Russian is a plant from the genus Astrovye, in Ukrainian - "voloshka".

Soil selection

Basil loves light, fertile, well-drained soil. For growing basil in a pot, it is easier to buy ready-made soil in a specialized store, but ordinary garden soil is also suitable if enriched with mineral fertilizers. Purchased or garden soil before planting must be calcined in the oven at a temperature of 100-120 ° for an hour to prevent the appearance of pests. You can independently prepare the substrate from one part of humus and two parts of peat or coconut fiber, it must also be watered with liquid mineral fertilizers.

Important! Basil is a southern culture that needs the right conditions. The land in which the seeds are sown should not be cold.

Basil growing container

For growing basil at home, a pot with a depth of at least 20-30 cm or an oblong flower box is suitable. It must be borne in mind that in the future the sprout will turn into a bush, and it should have enough space. Seeds are planted either in the main pot, or in small containers (cups), from where the sprouts are transplanted when 2-3 leaves appear.

At the bottom of a pot or box, a drainage layer of expanded clay, pebbles or broken bricks 2 cm thick must be laid out.

Did you know? In Europe, green basil is more common, it is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. Purple basil is more common in Asia, and its more pungent aroma is prized in oriental cooking.

The optimal time for sowing seeds is the beginning of March. To speed up the germination of basil seeds before growing, it is recommended to soak for a day in gauze moistened with a growth stimulator or simply in warm water. Change the water every 12 hours or less. Disinfection of seeds is carried out by soaking in a manganese solution for two hours. Dry the seeds with a paper towel.

Sowing basil seeds

The soil must first be well moistened. Basil is sown to a depth of 1 cm. It is recommended to leave a distance of about 7 cm between the seeds. The container is covered with a film and left in a warm place until the first shoots appear.

Conditions for seed germination

The optimum temperature for seed germination is 20-25 °C. The film must be periodically opened for ventilation and light spraying. Seedlings do not need watering. Under such conditions, seedlings appear after about 10 days. When the seedlings grow up to 5-7 cm, another 2-3 cm of soil can be added to the pot to strengthen the young shoots.

Did you know? In some central regions of Mexico, basil is placed on a shop window. It is believed that such an action reflects the state of the business: if the owner takes care of the basilica, then he is diligent and follows his business just as well.

How to care for basil at home

Temperature. Basil feels good at a temperature of + 16-25 ° C, does not tolerate drafts and low temperatures. On cold days, containers with basil can be wrapped in foil.

Light. In the warm season, the basilica has enough natural light, but in autumn and winter it will need artificial lighting.

Watering. Basil loves moderate humidity. You need to water the plant with settled water every day, it is better to do it in the morning. In the summer heat, watering is also done in the evening; spraying with water at room temperature from a spray bottle will also not interfere. Soil loosening. It is time to start this process when the basil sprouts become stronger and grow about 5 cm. Once every few days, you need to loosen the soil around the plants so that it can be enriched with oxygen. For plants grown indoors, this is an important factor.

Top dressing. For feeding basil, universal fertilizers with humus are suitable, which are used for indoor plants. Once a month, you can add 1 tsp. Agrolife fertilizers on the soil surface.

Important! When the flower stalks appear on the plant, they must be cut off immediately. The greens will be more fragrant and abundant, and the plant itself will grow longer.

Harvesting

The first basil greens can be cut in a month and a half. The upper leaves are carefully cut off, leaving at least three. When the basil has three tiers of leaves, pinch the top, cutting off the top of the stem. This manipulation limits growth, the plant begins to bush profusely, forming lush foliage. But some recommend not to do this, so as not to harm the plant.

Recently, it has become fashionable to keep a spicy garden on the windowsill at home. Yes, do not be surprised, because this is not only fresh greens for the table, but also an excellent interior decoration. Plus, great relaxation! Green color and spicy aromas have long been proven to relieve stress and relax. One of the favorites of the home garden is basil.

Without this king, it is difficult to imagine home cooking. But such a royal person requires appropriate attention! Growing basil in a pot at home is not an easy task. But how exciting!

Such an incomparable
Basil is perhaps the most multinational plant. He is loved in all corners of the globe. Yes, they call it by name. In India it is "tulsi". If you translate, you might be surprised - incomparable. Surely the culture struck the Indians. In Armenia, he is called rean. After all, this culture occupies an honorable place in Armenian cuisine. In Israel, the basil has two names - Reyhan and Reyhani.

Israelis add this fragrant and fragrant herb to many dishes. She is also loved in Central Asia, she is called differently here: regan, okimon (Tajiks), raikhon (Uzbeks). And the Slavs called basil poetically and beautifully - fragrant cornflower. Probably, this overseas miracle reminded them of their native flower.

It is interesting! Africa is considered the birthplace of this spice. Europe learned what basil looks like thanks to Alexander the Great. In Russia, weed was brought only in the 18th century.

From this article you will learn

Three ways to grow: seed, cutting or plant

If you are thinking about how to grow basil on the windowsill, first you need to choose a way to grow this crop. . There are three of them.

Method 1. Transplanting a plant from open ground into a pot

They do this if the plant has not yet completed its vegetative period (for example, cold weather has come in your region). In this case, an apartment is ideal. Just remember that such a plant will delight you with its greenery for no more than 2-3 months.

How to grow? Just transfer the bush with a clod of earth into a large tall pot. The soil can be slightly shaken off. Keep the transplanted plant in the shade for several days, be sure to water it.

Method 2. Growing with cuttings

In this case, you will also collect fragrant leaves for a short time - 3-4 months.

How to grow? Cut branches off at the base of the main stem. Put the seedling in water. Wait for the roots to appear (term - about 1-2 weeks). Plant in the ground. Some simply plant petioles in the ground, after moistening it, and cover it with a jar on top. In the latter case, the sprout may not take root. Therefore, it is better to plant several pieces at once in one pot.

Method 3. Planting seeds

Undoubtedly, the longest and most troublesome. But you can enjoy the harvest for almost 8-10 months. But you will receive the earliest harvest only after a month and a half.

How to grow? Planting spices in pots for seedlings is carried out in late February-early March. Then it can be transplanted into a deeper container.

I have an idea! In order to delight your family with spicy greens all year round and not have much trouble with growing it, periodically (for example, once every 2-4 months) cut young green branches of the crop, put them in water and plant them in the ground.

Miniature and charming: which variety to plant

There are several dozen varieties of this wonderful culture. Choose undersized ones - they will look more beautiful in pots. The height of such varieties does not exceed 40-45 cm. Small-leaved varieties are incomparable on the windowsill - dozens of lacy leaves look simply charming. Pay attention to these varieties if you are interested in how to grow basil at home:

Baskuro

Undersized with dark green leaves, which are collected in a lush hat. Each leaf is beautiful on its own. Hardly anyone will be disappointed. But remember that he does not like transplants at all. Therefore, immediately sow it in a permanent place.

marquis

This cute indoor baby, which grows no more than 25 cm, smells amazing: the clove-pepper flavor will bring a unique spicy note to any dish. Be sure to take care of it, you won't regret it.

Dwarf

The name speaks for itself. You won't find a smaller plant! Only 10-18 cm, but the aroma and taste are no worse than those of the classic varieties. It will decorate any window!

Basilisk

It has nothing to do with the famous Slavic monster. But he has a lot of leaves! Therefore, this variety must certainly be sown at home.

Troll

A very decorative variety. The leaves are purple with green tips. It grows up to 45 cm. And it is very resistant to temperature extremes. Experts advise it for beginners.

Philosopher

Seeing it, everyone will definitely think ... how such a bush can exude such an amazing clove aroma. Picking this variety will not hurt him at all.

Miniature openwork leaves create a very dense mass. The look is just amazing. This is a whole series of dwarf varieties - there are a lot of varieties. And how much it grows - you will simply be surprised: for almost 10 months it will delight with its most delicate greenery.

And this miniature variety has a cinnamon smell. Can you imagine? And in reality it is even more beautiful than in the photo.

I have an idea! Try to plant several varieties of basil side by side, building an interesting composition out of them in one box. For example, plant a tall purple variety in the center, and stunted green varieties on the sides. Or alternate purple and green plants.

Loves - does not love, or Two main rules

Basil means "king" in Greek. Such a royal person is very capricious, and therefore, in the care of culture, you must know the following rules:

Rule 1

A lot of light, timely watering, good heat (from 25 ° C), light breathable soil and a deep pot - this is what basil will only say “thank you” to.

Rule 2

Say "no" to drafts, stagnant water, sudden changes in temperature and shading. All this is not at all to the liking of the plant.

Important! If possible, grow basil on the southern or southeastern window sills, loggias. If you are ventilating the room, cover the top of the greens with plastic or remove the pots for a while.

Choosing pots and preparing the ground

When choosing a pot and preparing the soil for planting, it is important to remember that the root of this plant is voluminous. So:

• buy a deep pot. You can purchase special containers for seedlings, but only roomy enough. Deep wooden boxes are also suitable - you can plant several bushes in them. Glass containers will look very extravagant. In this case, try to make effective drainage inside and plant the crop strictly in the center;
• prepare good drainage, at least 2-3 cm. You can take any: pebbles, expanded clay, crushed stone, broken brick;
• pay special attention to the soil. This plant is very demanding. You can buy special soil or make a soil mixture according to the following recipes:
  -Recipe 1. Take ordinary garden soil, mix it with humus and peat soil. Everything must be taken in equal proportions.
  - Recipe 2. You can use coconut substrate (1 part), adding 2 parts of earth and humus to it.
  - Recipe 3. The simplest mixture: combine 2 parts of earth with 1 part of humus.

Advice! If you adhere to the lunar calendar, sow the crop on the growing moon, on the days when it is in the signs of Cancer, Scorpio or Capricorn. You will definitely get an excellent harvest.

If you do not believe in such calendars, nevertheless, you should not sow on the full moon, new moon and during the period when the Moon is in Aquarius. This is the most unproductive and unfortunate period. Therefore, when to plant a crop, decide for yourself.

From A to Z: a ​​step-by-step planting master class

How to care

After the seedlings sprout, for the next 2 weeks, apart from moderate watering (preferably from a spray bottle), gentle loosening and a lot of light and heat, they do not need anything else.

Illuminate the sprouts with fluorescent or phytolamps for about 6-8 hours. Make sure that the lighting of the plants is at least 15-16 hours a day. In the event that you want to use conventional incandescent lamps, place them at least 50 cm from the sprouts. Otherwise, the seedlings may burn.

In summer, plants can not be highlighted. In the autumn you can resume again. Watch the temperature. It should not fall below +20°C. It is noticed that in this case, the basil loses even its unique aroma. Pay special attention to this indicator in winter and spring. Remember that the temperature on the windowsill is always 3-4 degrees lower than in the room. Therefore, consider the time of year: if it's cold outside, remove the pots from the windowsill or additionally insulate it.

As soon as the seedlings reach 5-7 cm, add some earth to the container to strengthen the thin sprouts. Of course, you can transplant (dive) seedlings into another container, but just remember that basil does not like this at all - it will hurt for several days, or it may not take root at all. Planting seedlings is necessary only in extreme cases.

Important! This culture is moisture-loving. It must be periodically sprayed with a spray bottle. How often to water, see for yourself. When the batteries are working at full power, it is advisable to put several bowls of water near the plant. You can hang a wet towel on the battery. It needs to be changed periodically.

Do you need top dressing

As we already wrote, the first two weeks of sprouts do not need top dressing. Then this plant is very responsive to any organic matter (humus, bird droppings, manure). Dilute 1:10.

Basil also loves nitrogen, because it is he who contributes to the growth of green mass. However, do not overfeed the plant! Otherwise, your soil will “sour”. Use 2 tbsp. spoons for 10 liters of water. Fertilize no more than 1 time in 2 weeks. After about 3-4 months, you can feed the basil with complex fertilizer (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus). Dilute it according to the instructions, or follow the proportions: 2 g of nitrogen, 3 g of potassium and 5 g of phosphorus per 1 liter of water.

Advice! If you used rich fertile land, start fertilizing the crop only after 1-2 months.

Why pinching is important

This is one of the important procedures. You shouldn't forget about her at all. You need to pinch in order to form a beautiful and lush bush. Indeed, instead of one removed, two stems grow!

So what is the right way to do this?

Step 1. Wait until 4-5 true leaves appear on the sprout. Now cut off the top (growing point). After a while, where you cut off the top, several stems will appear.

Step 2 When these stems grow up and also acquire the same number of leaves, they also need to be pinched. This procedure then needs to be carried out as the plant grows. Approximately 1 time in 2-3 weeks.

Step 3 If you want to use the leaves for cooking, pluck the oldest ones (they are lower towards the base of the stem).

Important! Also, do not allow the appearance of flowers, they must be cut off, otherwise the plant will not only lose its decorative properties, but also spicy qualities.

What causes basil

Despite the fact that this culture is quite resistant to diseases. She, too, can be affected by various diseases.

Blackleg

This is a fungal attack. She practically mows thin sprouts.

You can identify this disease by the following signs:

• the stalk near the root turns black;
• the plant turns yellow and dies.

There are several reasons: the most common is excessive watering. Also unfavorable is the increased acidity of the soil and poor breathability.

What to do? If the sprout is already sick, it is unlikely that it will be possible to save it. Diseased bushes must be removed along with a small clod of earth. And shed the earth with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. It is easier to prevent this disease. Therefore, do not abuse watering, monitor the acidity of the soil, loosen the plantings.

You can use biological fungicides, which should be spilled on the ground if there are still healthy sprouts in it. However, then do not use the land from infected plants for further cultivation of the crop. It is better to transplant the grown seedlings into another container.

Fusarium

Also a fungal disease. You can understand that the sprouts are sick with Fusarium by the following signs:

• leaves turn brown or turn yellow, become thinner;
• the disease passes to the roots, as a result, the whole culture dies.

Fusarium causes: infected seeds or soil. Sharp jumps in temperature and humidity are also unfavorable.

What to do? As soon as you saw the first signs of the disease, you should not immediately use chemistry, just spray the plantings with an infusion of onion peel. Take 4 parts onion and 1 part water. Insist 24 hours. Cut off the affected leaves. If you have already launched Fusarium, use special fungicides.

To prevent this disease, be sure to disinfect the soil and seed material.

Gray rot

This is a fungal disease. It appears like this:

• first on the lower leaves you will see light brown spots;
• then the spots will rise higher and higher and "capture" the entire plant;
• a gray fluff will appear on the affected areas;
• a severely affected plant may die.

What to do? If the plant just got sick, spray it with an infusion of onion peel, its recipe is the same as for the black leg. If you have started the disease, use fungicidal preparations.

If you want to prevent this disease, do not over-moisten the soil, be sure to regularly feed the bushes, take the pots to fresh air.

Basil is a capricious king, but not so much that you cannot grow it on a windowsill or balcony. He, like a real southerner, loves a lot of light and heat, frequent spraying and top dressing, but without the most important thing - your great desire and love for what you do - you can’t do it!

Get inspired, inspired and get down to such a very exciting business - planting and caring for basil at home.

IMPORTANT! * when copying article materials, be sure to indicate