Basil Seeds: Where to Buy Them and How to Grow Seedlings Explained
Basil is also called nine-layer pagoda, jinbuhuan, and so on. It is a plant with emerald green leaves, bright-colored flowers, and a rich fragrance, and it has the effects of resolving dampness and aiding digestion, invigorating the blood, and removing toxins. If you want to grow it, then where are basil seeds sold? How do you grow seedlings? Let's find out together.
Where are basil seeds sold?
Basil counts as a new type of specialty vegetable in China, with a unique fragrance. At present, it is mainly large-scale growers who buy basil seeds and grow them in relatively large quantities. But this does not actually affect ordinary people buying basil seeds, because many specialty seed markets, flower and bird markets, or the internet all have them for sale.
How do you grow basil seedlings?
1. Growing seedlings from seed
In March, use a hotbed to grow seedlings, with the seedbed about 1.2 m wide. Spread 10-15 cm of horse manure on the bottom layer of the seedbed as fermenting material, cover with 15 cm of humus soil, and rake it level. Just before sowing, water thoroughly. After the water seeps down, broadcast the seeds and cover with a thin layer of soil, just enough to cover the seeds; cover the top with a glass window or agricultural film, and at night use straw curtains or cattail mats, etc. for cold protection. Seedlings emerge in about 15 days. When the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, transplant them to the field with soil attached.
2. Growing seedlings in nutrient pots
In order to save seeds, harvest earlier, increase yield, and make management convenient, the seedling-raising cultivation method is generally used. Before sowing, soak the seeds to promote germination, and the temperature should be kept at 25-30°C; when 50% of the seeds have sprouted, sow them in the seedling field or seedling bed, with a soil covering thickness of 0.5 cm. Water thoroughly before sowing, keep the bed temperature at 20-25°C, and seedlings will emerge in 4-7 days. After 2 true leaves have unfolded, transplant them into 6 cm x 6 cm plastic pots.
Basil potted planting methods
1. Choosing the container
Basil is a deep-rooted plant, and its roots can go 0.5-1 m into the soil, so choosing a relatively tall flowerpot is more suitable. Therefore, it is advisable to choose coconut coir with good drainage and fertility and looseness for cultivation, and apply base fertilizer or nutrient soil before planting.
2. Seed treatment
Put the seeds into a container, first pour in a little cold water, and wet the seeds. After about 3-5 minutes, once the seed coats are wet and have absorbed some water, slowly pour hot water into the container, stirring with a wooden stick while pouring, so that the seeds are heated evenly.
3. Soaking seeds to promote germination
When the water temperature in the container rises to 50-55°C, stop adding hot water; when the temperature drops, add some more hot water, keep the water temperature at the required temperature for 15-20 minutes, then let it cool naturally to about 25°C, continue soaking the seeds, and the soaking time is based on the seeds having just reached water absorption saturation. After soaking, rinse the seeds repeatedly with clean water and rub them vigorously until the mucilage on the seed surface is removed. Put the seeds into a gauze bag, shake the water off vigorously, cover well with a wet towel or gauze, keep warm and moist, and place at about 25°C to promote germination.
4. Sowing management
Sow on a sunny morning. Put the nutrient soil into the sowing tray and water thoroughly with hot water or warm water. After the water seeps down, scatter 1 layer of soil, evenly sow the sprouted seeds in the tray, cover with 1 cm of soil on top, and cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist.
5. Thinning management
When the seedlings are 6-10 cm tall, thin and fill in the seedlings. For hole sowing, leave 2-3 seedlings per hole; for drilling, leave 1 seedling about every 10 cm. The first time is 10-20 days after emergence, shallowly hoe the surface soil. The second time is from early May to early June, before the seedlings close the rows; after each intertillage, apply nutrient soil. Seedlings are afraid of drought, so pay attention to timely watering.
Basil is very sensitive to cold and grows best in hot and dry environments. Basil is common in Western recipes and Thai cuisine, and is also used in the three-cup dishes in Chinese cuisine. If you like it, you can try growing it in pots yourself.
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Agricultural products you may be interested in: High-quality basil seeds supplied nationwide