A Detailed Guide to Basil Planting Time and Cultivation Management Techniques
Basil, also known as jiucengta, jinbuhuan, sweet basil, lanxiang and so on, is a medicinal and culinary aromatic plant of the genus Ocimum in the Lamiaceae family. Its flavor resembles fennel, the whole plant is compact, the leaves are emerald green, the flowers are brightly colored, and it is richly fragrant. As a medicine it has the functions of dispelling wind and moving qi, resolving dampness and promoting digestion, and invigorating blood and removing toxins, and its cultivation value is relatively high. Let us take a look at how to grow basil!
Basil's Growth Habits
Basil originated in the tropical regions of Africa, the Americas and Asia. In China it is mainly distributed in **, Jilin, Hebei, Henan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Guizhou, Yunnan and Sichuan, and is mostly cultivated, with some escaping to the wild in the southern provinces and regions. It prefers a warm and humid climate, is not cold-tolerant, tolerates drought but not waterlogging, and does best in well-drained, fertile sandy loam or humus loam.
Basil's Planting Time
In the south, sow in the field from March to April; in the north, from late April to May. Sowing should be done on a sunny morning. Put the nutrient soil into a sowing tray and water it thoroughly with hot or warm water. After the water has seeped down, spread a layer of medicated soil, evenly sow the sprouted seeds in the tray, cover with 1 cm of medicated soil, and cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist. For drilling, open shallow furrows at a row spacing of about 35 cm; for hole sowing, open shallow holes at a hole spacing of 25 cm, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows or holes, cover with a thin layer of soil, and keep the soil moist. Use 0.2-0.3 kg of seed per mu. Seedling raising and transplanting can also be used; in the north, seedlings can be raised in a sunny bed in March, and when the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall they are transplanted to the field with the soil attached. After transplanting, firm the soil and water.
Basil's Seedling Raising Techniques
1. Site selection and fertilization: Basil is a deep-rooted plant, and its roots can penetrate 50-100 cm into the soil, so it is best to choose well-drained, fertile, loose sandy loam. Apply plenty of base fertilizer before planting, level and harrow finely, and make flat beds or raised beds of about 130 cm. Because China's frost-free period is relatively short, for open-field cultivation, seed production must be carried out with seedlings raised in a greenhouse or plastic tunnel. If only the tender stems and leaves are to be eaten, seedlings can be raised or direct sowing can be done; the seedling period is generally sown in mid-to-late April.
2. Sowing and seedling raising: Put the basil seeds into a gauze bag, shake the water off forcefully, cover well with a wet towel or gauze, keep warm and moist, and place at about 25°C to germinate. During germination, rinse with clean water once a day, drain well; if the seed quantity is large, turn them 1-2 times a day so that the temperature is even and sprouting is uniform. In the early stage of germination the temperature can be slightly higher to promote sprouting; when the sprouts are about to emerge (the seeds are about to open), the temperature should be lowered by 3-5°C to make the sprouts thick and uniform. After the sprouts have all emerged, if special weather occurs, the sprouts can be moved to a place at 5-10°C to control their growth and wait for sowing.
Basil's Planting Methods
1. Cultivation and topdressing: When basil seedlings are 6-10 cm tall, thin and fill in the seedlings; for hole sowing keep 2-3 plants per hole, and for drilling keep 1 plant about every 10 cm. Generally cultivate and weed 2 times; the first is 10-20 days after emergence, shallowly hoeing the surface soil. The second is from early May to early June, before the seedlings close the rows; after each cultivation, apply human and livestock manure water. Seedlings are afraid of drought, so pay attention to timely watering.
2. Harvest time: Basil stems and leaves are harvested in July-August; cut the whole plant, remove the fine roots and impurities, and sun-dry it. When the plants are 20 cm tall and have closed the rows, harvest by selecting the tender front ends of branches that have not bolted, 5-10 cm long, harvesting once every 7-15 days. For essential oil extraction, harvest when the inflorescences have fully emerged.
3. Harvesting and processing: When harvesting basil, cut the plant parts 20-25 cm above the ground with a sickle, avoiding shaking the root system so as not to affect its regeneration capacity, then strengthen fertilizer and water management to promote the regrowth of new stems and leaves. After harvesting, processing should be carried out as soon as possible to avoid the wounds and leaves turning brown and yellow, which would affect the quality of the essential oil.
4. Pest control: In terms of insect pests, basil mainly has aphids, Japanese beetles, thrips, leaf miners, snails and slugs. In organic cultivation, water can be sprayed to drive away aphids, and Japanese beetles can be picked off by hand and thrown into soapy water. As for slugs and snails, small beer containers can be used to trap and kill them, or copper strips can be tied 5 cm from the base of the plant (10 cm is even better); because the copper strips react with slug mucus, the invading insects are repelled.
5. Disease control: In terms of diseases, basil is highly susceptible to fungal wilt disease. The pathogen invades through the vascular bundles of the roots, hindering plant growth and causing leaf wilt. In general field cultivation, F1 hybrid varieties resistant to fungal disease can be chosen. In addition, high humidity and poor drainage also make it more susceptible to fungal leaf spot.
Basil's Cultivation Techniques
Basil likes a warm and humid growing environment, tolerates heat but not cold, tolerates drought but not waterlogging, and is not strict about soil requirements. To obtain high yields and high-quality products, it is best to choose fertile soil with good drainage for planting.Cultivation Techniques
1. Variety selection. There are many varieties and cultivars in the genus Ocimum. At present, most of the commonly used varieties are introduced from abroad, such as the following: spotted basil, clove basil, Czech basil, German sweet basil. Sweet basil: an annual herbaceous plant in the genus Ocimum whose tender stems and leaves are eaten; it is dwarf, the most widely cultivated, and relatively common in China, forming compact plant clumps, 25-30 cm tall, with bright green leaves 2.5-2.7 cm long, white flowers, and relatively long flower stems with many layers. Spotted basil: its height and other characteristics are the same, the difference being that the stems are dark purple to brown, the flowers are purple, and the leaves have purple spots. Clove basil: terminal panicles, white corolla. Clove basil is the raw material plant for extracting eugenol, used to make perfumes and floral waters, and as a canned food preservative and spice, and used in dental disinfectants. Dwarf basil: this variety is relatively short, densely growing, more branching than Sweet basil, with very small leaves and white flowers; the seeds are not much different from other varieties. Green basil (Greenbushbasil): this variety has a green plant and is relatively suitable for growing in flower pots; because of its fresh and bright emerald green color and special aromatic scent it is very popular. The flowers are mostly clustered, the whole plant grows close to the ground, the number of flowers is very large, forming very small flower clusters, and the flower color ranges from rose to white, forming a sharp contrast with the dark green color of the leaves; it is mostly used as a garden plant. Compact basil (Compactbushbasil): the most obvious feature of this variety is that it can form a large number of branches, the whole plant is very dense, and its shape is a dense, emerald green spherical plant body; it is more suitable as an ornamental plant than ordinary bush basil, can be grown in flower pots or placed in vases, and is an excellent green herbaceous garden plant.
2. Seedling raising. In the north, because the frost-free period is relatively short, for open-field cultivation, seed production must be carried out with seedlings raised in a greenhouse or plastic tunnel. If only the tender stems and leaves are to be eaten, seedlings can be raised or direct sowing can be done. The specific seedling raising process is as follows:
1. Preparation of nutrient soil and medicated soil. The general principle for preparing nutrient soil: the nutrient soil should be rich in nutrients, loose in texture, good in air permeability, strong in water retention, and neutral in pH, and free of pathogens, insect eggs and weed seeds. The specific preparation should vary according to local conditions and crop types, and can roughly refer to the following ratios: field soil, horse manure, furnace ash, sand: 50%, 15%, 20%, 15%. Field soil, horse manure, night soil: 70%, 15%, 15%. Field soil, horse manure, night soil: 34%, 33%, 33%. Field soil, horse manure, furnace ash, night soil: 60%, 30%, 7%, 3%. Medicated soil: use Miaojundi (20 g/bag) or Cudaolikuling (20 g/bag), each bag mixed with 20-30 kg and 10-15 kg of sieved fine sandy soil respectively, to be used as a top cover and bottom layer when sowing.
2. The seedling period is generally sown in mid-to-late April.
3. Seed treatment. Seed selection: choose fresh, plump seeds with vigorous germination ability, and remove impurities, fine soil and shriveled grains by sieving, winnowing and water selection. Purpose of seed treatment: the purpose of seed treatment is to promote seed germination, improve the germination rate and germination vigor, eliminate pathogens and viruses attached to the seed coat, and enhance the crop's stress resistance. Method of seed treatment: put the seeds into a container, first pour in a little cold water to wet the seeds. After about 3-5 min, when the seed coat is wet and has absorbed some water, slowly pour hot water into the container, stirring with a wooden stick while pouring so that the seeds are heated evenly. 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 to keep the water temperature at the required level for 15-20 min, then let it cool naturally to about 25°C and continue soaking; the soaking time is based on the seeds having just reached water absorption saturation. After basil seeds have been soaked for 7-8 h, a layer of mucus usually appears on the seed surface, which tends to mold during germination and lead to seed rot. Therefore, after soaking, the seeds must be rinsed repeatedly with clean water and rubbed forcefully until the mucus on the seed surface is removed. Put the seeds into a gauze bag, shake the water off forcefully, cover well with a wet towel or gauze, keep warm and moist, and place at about 25°C to germinate. During germination, rinse with clean water once a day, drain well; if the seed quantity is large, turn them 1-2 times a day so that the temperature is even and sprouting is uniform. In the early stage of germination the temperature can be slightly higher to promote sprouting; when the sprouts are about to emerge (the seeds are about to open), the temperature should be lowered by 3-5°C to make the sprouts thick and uniform. After the sprouts have all emerged, if special weather occurs, the sprouts can be moved to a place at 5-10°C to control their growth and wait for sowing.
4. Sowing. Sowing should be done on a sunny morning. Put the nutrient soil into a sowing tray and water it thoroughly with hot or warm water. After the water has seeped down, spread a layer of medicated soil, evenly sow the sprouted seeds in the tray, cover with 1 cm of medicated soil, and cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist.
5. Management after sowing
1) Soil temperature management. The soil temperature should be 15-20°C; electric heating or fermenting-material hotbeds can be set up in the greenhouse to meet the crop's soil temperature requirements.
2) Seedling stage management
Temperature management: before emergence, a relatively high temperature is required, generally controlled at 25-28°C, which is favorable for emergence; however, because the period from the emergence of the cotyledons to the appearance of the true leaves is a time when the tissues are tender and strongly phototropic, the seedlings tend to stretch. Therefore, once emergence is found, remove the film immediately and lower the temperature to about 20-25°C during the day and about 13-15°C at night; after the true leaves appear, keep it at 25°C during the day and 15°C at night. After transplanting the seedlings, in order to promote early rooting and early recovery, the temperature should be appropriately raised; after recovery, ventilation should also be provided to lower the temperature so that the seedlings do not become weak. 7 days before planting, adopt the method of generous ventilation to lower the temperature and harden the seedlings, letting the seedlings get as close to the natural environment as possible, enhancing the cold resistance of the seedlings and improving their adaptability and survival rate after planting.
Light: good light conditions should be created throughout the seedling period. Only after transplanting and before recovery, if the midday temperature is too high and the sunlight is too strong, a straw mat can be used to shade them so that strong light does not damage the seedlings.
Water management: because water consumption during the seedling stage is relatively small, especially as the seedlings grow in the tray, flood irrigation cannot be used; only a watering can may be used to sprinkle water. Watering should be based on the growth condition of the seedlings and the weather. Generally water in the morning on sunny days, and each watering should be thorough to prevent dry layers from forming. The number of waterings during the seedling stage should not be too many. After the seedlings emerge and recover, lower the humidity, and do not water arbitrarily unless there is special drought. Generally in the later stage of seedling raising, in addition to general watering, if some places are found to have small seedlings and lack water, a little water can be added appropriately and ventilation reduced to urge seedling growth; where the seedlings are large, do not water and increase ventilation to control seedling growth; combining promotion and control can make the seedlings uniform.
Ventilation and air exchange: this usually refers to letting air in to lower the temperature during seedling management. Through ventilation, seedling stretching is controlled, thereby producing sturdy seedlings. The timing and duration of ventilation should be determined according to the weather and the size of the seedlings. Generally, on sunny days ventilate early; ventilate generously and for a long time, while on cloudy days ventilate lightly and for a short time. If the seedlings are large, ventilate generously; if the seedlings are small, ventilate lightly, and for a slightly shorter time. In the early stage the ventilation amount should be small, and in the later stage it can be larger. 5-7 days before planting, ventilate generously.
6. Seedling separation. When the seedlings grow to 2 true leaves, transplanting can be carried out. Put the nutrient salt soil into 8 cm x 8 cm nutrient pots, water thoroughly on a sunny morning, arrange the seedlings in each nutrient pot, make a hole 2-3 cm deep and 1.5 cm in diameter with a wooden stick, lift the seedlings out of the sowing tray without shaking off all the soil on the roots, and transplant while lifting. When transplanting, put the seedling into the hole, fill the hole with nutrient soil, and then water lightly once. On the second day, after the dew has dried, cover with 1 cm of nutrient soil to preserve moisture and prevent the soil from crusting. When transplanting, keep the root system straight and avoid any suspended roots. When covering with soil, do not press down on the seedlings or let soil fall on the leaves.
7. Control of seedling-stage pests and diseases. The main diseases in the seedling stage are damping-off and root rot. Use medicated soil when sowing; if diseased plants are found, remove them promptly, and mix Miaojundi or Cudaolikuling with dry plant ash and spread it in the seedbed. The main pest in the seedling stage is aphids, generally controlled with 1500-2000 times omethoate or 2000 times Yibianjing.
3. Field management. Direct-sown fields are generally sown in mid-May, and seedlings emerge 3-5 days after sowing. After the true leaves of the young seedlings appear, combine weeding with thinning out double plants and overly dense seedlings. Keep the soil moist. For seedlings raised in a greenhouse or plastic tunnel, plant them in late May when the seedlings have 5-6 leaves and are about 8 cm tall, with a plant spacing of 30 cm x 60 cm. After each harvest, combine watering with topdressing nitrogen fertilizer. Basil generally has no pest or disease damage.
4. Harvesting. In direct-sown fields, start thinning the young seedlings for eating when they are 6-7 cm tall, and after the stems reach 20 cm, pick the tender stems and leaves continuously, generally harvesting once every 10-15 days. When harvesting, in the early stage only pick the tender shoots growing from the leaf axils of each node on the branches to promote plant growth and development; in the middle stage pinch off the main stem and side branches to encourage more side branches and ensure later yield; in the late stage keep selected side branches and harvest moderately to extend the harvest period. Basil does not keep well; after harvesting, market it immediately, or put it into a low-temperature cold storage, precool at 5°C and then store at about 2°C, where it can be kept for 7 days.
5. Select robust plants for seed saving, and different varieties must be isolated for seed collection. Seed plants must not have their tender stems and leaves harvested; generally those sown in spring flower in July, and the seeds mature in early August.
When Is Basil Planted? Basil's Planting Time and Methods
Basil is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Ocimum in the Lamiaceae family, and is a medicinal and culinary aromatic plant. Its leaves are emerald green, its flowers are brightly colored, and it is richly fragrant. While it has high ornamental value, basil also has effects such as resolving dampness and promoting digestion, invigorating blood, and removing toxins. Nowadays, people pay more and more attention to health and wellness, and basil, which has certain health benefits, has attracted even more attention, with high planting value. So, when is basil planted? The planting time and methods of basil are introduced below.
Image: Basil planting
1. Basil's Planting Time
In the south, sow in the field from March to April; in the north, from late April to May. Sowing should be done on a sunny morning. Put the nutrient soil into a sowing tray and water it thoroughly with hot or warm water. After the water has seeped down, spread a layer of medicated soil, evenly sow the sprouted seeds in the tray, cover with 1 cm of medicated soil, and cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist. For drilling, open shallow furrows at a row spacing of about 35 cm; for hole sowing, open shallow holes at a hole spacing of 25 cm, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows or holes, cover with a thin layer of soil, and keep the soil moist. Use 0.2-0.3 kg of seed per mu. Seedling raising and transplanting can also be used; in the north, seedlings can be raised in a sunny bed in March, and when the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall they are transplanted to the field with the soil attached. After transplanting, firm the soil and water.
Image: Basil planting
2. Basil's Planting Methods
1. Site selection and fertilization:Basil is a deep-rooted plant, and its roots can penetrate 50-100 cm into the soil, so it is best to choose well-drained, fertile, loose sandy loam. Apply plenty of base fertilizer before planting, level and harrow finely, and make flat beds or raised beds of about 130 cm. Because China's frost-free period is relatively short, for open-field cultivation, seed production must be carried out with seedlings raised in a greenhouse or plastic tunnel. If only the tender stems and leaves are to be eaten, seedlings can be raised or direct sowing can be done; the seedling period is generally sown in mid-to-late April.
2. Sowing and seedling raising:Put the basil seeds into a gauze bag, shake the water off forcefully, cover well with a wet towel or gauze, keep warm and moist, and place at about 25°C to germinate. During germination, rinse with clean water once a day, drain well; if the seed quantity is large, turn them 1-2 times a day so that the temperature is even and sprouting is uniform. In the early stage of germination the temperature can be slightly higher to promote sprouting; when the sprouts are about to emerge (the seeds are about to open), the temperature should be lowered by 3-5°C to make the sprouts thick and uniform. After the sprouts have all emerged, if special weather occurs, the sprouts can be moved to a place at 5-10°C to control their growth and wait for sowing.
3. Cultivation and topdressing:When basil seedlings are 6-10 cm tall, thin and fill in the seedlings; for hole sowing keep 2-3 plants per hole, and for drilling keep 1 plant about every 10 cm. Generally cultivate and weed 2 times; the first is 10-20 days after emergence, shallowly hoeing the surface soil. The second is from early May to early June, before the seedlings close the rows; after each cultivation, apply human and livestock manure water. Seedlings are afraid of drought, so pay attention to timely watering.
Image: Basil planting
4. Harvest time:Basil stems and leaves are harvested in July-August; cut the whole plant, remove the fine roots and impurities, and sun-dry it. When the plants are 20 cm tall and have closed the rows, harvest by selecting the tender front ends of branches that have not bolted, 5-10 cm long, harvesting once every 7-15 days. For essential oil extraction, harvest when the inflorescences have fully emerged.
5. Harvesting and processing:When harvesting basil, cut the plant parts 20-25 cm above the ground with a sickle, avoiding shaking the root system so as not to affect its regeneration capacity, then strengthen fertilizer and water management to promote the regrowth of new stems and leaves. After harvesting, processing should be carried out as soon as possible to avoid the wounds and leaves turning brown and yellow, which would affect the quality of the essential oil.
[Editor's Closing Words]Basil likes a warm and humid environment, is not cold-tolerant and not waterlogging-tolerant, and still needs extra attention during the planting process. The above has introduced basil's planting time and methods for everyone, and I hope it can be of help!