Content
Growing basil on a windowsill from seeds is quite an exciting activity for both experienced and novice gardeners. This plant can be used not only as a seasoning, but also as an ingredient in many natural cosmetics recipes. It grows well in greenhouse conditions, so getting a good harvest right in your apartment is not such a difficult task.
Is it possible to grow basil on a windowsill?
Basil is a long-known and popular plant used as an aromatic spice in the production of many products. It is believed that basil was first brought to Europe from India, where it was used as a culinary seasoning. Later, this plant began to be used for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Basil contains a large amount of essential oils, which explains its unique aroma.
You can grow basil at home on a windowsill, but not all varieties are suitable for this.There are many species of this plant that have large leaves. In apartment conditions, due to a lack of sunlight, they will not receive enough of the substances necessary for growth, so growing them can only be recommended to experienced gardeners who know how to make up for this deficiency. Beginners should pay attention to small-leaved varieties that are not so demanding on growing conditions.
Which variety to choose for growing basil at home
The following varieties are suitable for growing basil on a windowsill in winter:
- Baku;
- Clove aroma;
- Yerevan;
- Marquis.
After the first experiments in growing basil at home are successful, you can move on to more demanding varieties.
How to grow basil at home
There are several ways to grow basil at home. It is best to use a window sill or balcony for this. You can grow a plant from:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- replanting an adult plant.
The last method is suitable for those who grow this plant in their dacha. Young shoots that have not yet bloomed are chosen for transplantation. They are transplanted into separate pots and subsequently grown at home, placing them on window sills or on the balcony. Cuttings can be taken from an adult plant, rooted and then updated regularly. The seed method is the longest; it may require 7–8 months to grow a full-fledged bush.
Selection and preparation of containers
You can use any containers for planting, but when planting in small containers, the seedlings will then have to be planted, which is undesirable.Therefore, to grow basil on a windowsill, it is more advisable to immediately use large containers, such as large flower pots or plastic containers. This will save you from unnecessary work in the future, and the plants from stress.
Soil preparation
A drainage layer (expanded clay, large pebbles) is placed at the bottom of the container or pot in which the basil bush will grow, and the containers themselves are filled with a nutrient substrate. You can buy it or make it yourself by mixing turf soil with humus in a 1:1 ratio. Sometimes the substrate is prepared from a mixture of peat and humus, mixing the components in a 2:1 ratio.
Seed preparation
Cuttings or seeds can be used as seed material. Cuttings are obtained from an adult plant by cutting off its top and side shoots. Then they are placed in water for 1.5-2 weeks. After the roots appear, the cuttings are planted in containers for permanent cultivation.
Seeds must be disinfected before planting. To do this, they are kept for 2 hours in a solution of potassium permanganate. It is preferable to plant seeds that have already sprouted. To do this, they are placed in wet gauze (or placed between two damp cotton pads) and kept for several days in a place with elevated air temperatures, for example, next to a water heating radiator. When planting such seeds, extreme care should be taken.
Landing rules
The nutritious soil is moistened before planting, and then the seeds are planted, deepening them no more than 1 cm. After planting, the container is covered with plastic film or glass. Sprouted cuttings do not need to be covered after planting.
Care after landing
In order to grow and develop properly, basil needs moisture, light and heat. In the summer, problems, as a rule, do not arise. When grown on a windowsill in winter, plants must be supplemented with artificial lighting, thereby increasing daylight hours by 3-4 hours. The room temperature must be maintained within + 20-28 °C.
Basil, grown both in open ground and on a windowsill, requires regular watering, but the soil should not be over-moistened. It is better to do this in the morning, using settled warm water. On hot days, you can add additional watering in the evening. In addition, it is necessary to regularly spray the plant itself with water. Don’t forget about loosening the soil, which needs to be done constantly.
If the soil is poor, then the plants need to be fed from time to time using liquid fertilizers based on humates. As soon as the bush grows, you need to pinch its top. This promotes the formation of side shoots and the growth of the bush in width.
Features of growing basil on the balcony
When using a balcony to grow basil, the first thing you need to do is ensure a constant temperature. Therefore, in winter, artificial heating is necessary, and in summer, care must be taken to ensure that the plants do not overheat. Basil can be grown on the balcony along with other plants.Its neighbors can be, for example, pepper or asparagus.
Optimal conditions for growing basil at home
Basil belongs to subtropical plants, and this region is characterized by high temperatures and humidity. Providing such conditions in a city apartment is not easy. Therefore, often the pots in which basil is grown at home are additionally insulated by wrapping them in heat-insulating material.
A huge advantage would be the installation of additional lighting, for example, phytolamps for seedlings or at least just fluorescent lamps. With their help, you can ensure optimal light conditions. To constantly maintain the required level of humidity, basil bushes are sprayed with warm water using a spray bottle. In winter, when the air humidity in the apartment is at a very low level, this is especially true.
Protection from diseases
At home, basil gets sick much less often than when grown in the garden. However, if care is not taken care of, gray mold or fusarium may form on the bushes. The cause of the appearance is considered to be waterlogging of the soil. Therefore, you need to try to avoid excessive waterlogging and stagnation of water in the roots. Affected leaves and shoots must be removed immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.
Harvesting
Basil leaves are used for culinary and cosmetic purposes. Already 1.5-2 months after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, you can begin to pluck them. Leaves are cut off from the top and side of the plant, and you should always leave at least 5-6 leaves on the stem. You should not pinch off basil near the root, as this can destroy the entire bush.
Conclusion
Growing basil from seeds on a windowsill is an opportunity to provide yourself with not only an aromatic seasoning all year round, but also an effective component for cosmetics. There is nothing complicated in this process. You just need to follow certain rules and regularly carry out plant care activities.
