« WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE? | Home | Positive Attitude »
Basil - Cultivation & Varieties
By Peace | March 4, 2006
Cultivation
Basil is easily grown from seed, or can be purchased as small potted plants. Plant seeds early in spring, sowing the seed at a half an inch deep. They can be sown directly in the ground after all danger of frost has passed, or can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before setting out (use 2-3 seeds per pot) for earlier harvests. Germination can occur in 5 to 7 days, but will take longer under cool conditions. Place plants outside12-15 inches apart.
Basilicum Dark Opal
Basil is a warm season plant, requiring temperatures above 50ยบ to grow, but does best when temperatures are in the 80s and 90s. Plant basil in full sun, in well-drained soil. Water adequately to produce tender leaves, but be careful not to overwater. Basil needs more fertilizer than most herbs. Incorporate compost before planting or top dress at planting to keep the plants producing leaves all season.
Pinch off the terminal shoots to encourage branching and tender new growth, and slow down flower production. When the plant stems become woody and stop producing, cut the plants back a third and fertilize to stimulate new growth. In midseason the plants will begin to produce spikes of small white, pink or purple flowers. Remove these flower spikes to keep the plant producing leaves up to frost.
Cinammon Basil
Basil is generally easy to grow, but may be attacked by common garden pests such as spider mites (especially when hot and dry), aphids, Japanese beetles, or other insects. These can be controlled by hosing off the plants or applying insecticidal soap, or removing the beetles by hand. A few generalist fungal or bacterial diseases may occasionally affect individual plants. Root rots (or damping off of seedlings) occur primarily when the soil is too wet.
Basil sown in pots in midsummer can be brought indoors to continue growing during the winter. Place the pot in a bright, sunny window for best results.
Basil planted near your tomatoes helps discourage worms and flies.
Varieties
There are many cultivars of sweet basil available today, as well as several related species of Ocimum that are also used for cooking and ornamental purposes. Most vegetable seed retailers offer a number of choices.
* Cinnamon Basil has distinctive cinnamon-colored stems, purple flowers tinged with bronze, and small- to medium-sized, dark green leaves. These ornamental plants can reach 3 feet in height and width, and the leaves have a cinnamon-like taste and odor.
* ‘Dark Opal’ has beautiful deep red-purple foliage and lovely pink flowers. In addition to culinary use, it makes a nice, fragrant border along a walkway.
* ‘Genovese’ (or ‘Genova’) is a standard, flat-leafed Italian type commonly used for making pesto. The leaves are 3-4 inches long and 2-3 inches wide, with a sweet, spicy taste. Plants can reach 5 feet, but are more productive if kept pruned back.
Kilimanjaro Basil
* Holy basil (O. tenuiflorum or sanctum; also called Tulsi or Sacred Basil) has highly aromatic, narrow oval leaves and pink flowers with a perfumed fragrance. It grows to about 18 inches high. Both red and green leafed varieties occur. 
Left : Lemon Basil
* Lemon basil (O. americanum or citriodorum) has small, light green leaves and a lemony fragrance. It is often used in Indonesian cuisine or to flavor fish, and can be added to tea for an interesting lemony flavor.
* ‘Magical Michael’, a 2002 AAS winner, reliably grows uniformly 15 inches tall and 16-17 inches wide (uniformity is rare in sweet basil plants). The small purple and white flowers are attractive as a garnish, and as an ornamental are very attractive to bees.
* ‘Nufar’ is a Fusarium wilt-resistant Genovese-type plant with mild flavor.
* ‘Purple Ruffles’ has very large, dark shiny purple-black, ruffled and fringed leaves and pink flowers. It is ideal for p
roviding contrast in bedding or containers, as well as being an edible herb. Other purple basils include ‘Purpurascens,’ ‘Opal’, and the dwarf ‘Minimum Purpurascens.’
* ‘Red Rubin’ is a new purple leaf variety that maintains its deep color through the season.
* ‘Siam Queen’ is a very fragrant selection with extra large, bright green leaves on large, purple-red stemmed plants that bear violet-pink flowers. It works well as a container plant or edging beds, as well as in the vegetable garden. Especially good for Thai cuisine.
* ‘Spicy Globe’ forms a compact plant about 6 inches high and 12 inches across. Can be used in the border or as a container plant.
* ‘Sweet Dani’ is a narrow leaved, lemony variety developed at Purdue University that was a AAS winner in 1998.
Topics: View All |
