What is basil? Basil: seeds, seedlings, planting

Surely not one person sometimes asked himself a question about what basil is. It seems to be the familiar spicy grass, which is actually known quite a bit - only with what it is eaten and how it looks.

What is basil?

Basil (in Greek - "royal") - one of the favorite spices, a native of Asia, in ancient times was the object of worship in Ceylon, in Greece, Iran and India, and the Indians considered his leaves a "pass" for the deceased who enters the paradise. Wreaths of basil were found in the Egyptian pyramids, which indicates the venerable age of the plant. In their works this medicinal herb was mentioned by Avicenna, Hippocrates, and also by the ancient Roman encyclopedist Pliny. Europeans have been skeptical about such a spicy culture for a long time; There was even a belief that this plant is cursed, and its smell, acting on a person magically, turns the latter into a scorpion. Only after a few centuries Europe still fully appreciated what basil, and fell in love with him for the pleasant aroma and medicinal properties. In Italy, he even began to be considered a symbol of fertility and family well-being.

External Description

The appearance of the basil is attractive: a beautiful branched bush of decorative appearance (up to 60 cm in height) with oblong-oval shiny leaves, the color of which varies from bright green to violet. Leaflets differ not only in color; In different varieties they may have a different shape: corrugated, with carved edges or simply flat. It is the divine fragrance of the latter is the main reason for the cultivation of basil. At the ends of the stems of the plant are the racemose inflorescences of various colors (from gently pink to reddish-violet). The flowering period is in July-August; Just at this time the aroma published by basil, due to the accumulated essential oil in the leaves, is very saturated.

Basil: landing

Probably, any connoisseur of beauty would like to have on his estate always fresh seasoning. Therefore, you should know how to plant basil. It is preferable to choose for it open solar areas with fertile soil. It is worth remembering that in one place basil in the ground to plant for several consecutive years is not recommended, otherwise it will lead to a fusarium disease, in which brown leaves are formed on the leaves. At the previous place of planting, such a spicy culture can be planted no earlier than 5 years later. It is desirable that the predecessors of this spicy culture were potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and beans.

Basilica seedlings are planted in the open ground only in early June (preferably in the evening or on a cloudy day), because the plant is very thermophilic, does not tolerate low temperatures, and sudden frost even more so. Beforehand, the soil should be fertilized: for each square meter, 2 kg of compost, peat and humus should be added and immediately after planting it is abundantly watered (preferably with warm standing water). Basil, planting which is not difficult, should be planted at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other, the width of the rows should be about 30 cm.

Growing seeds for seedlings

Although the seedlings of the basil are sold on the market, you can try to grow it yourself - it will not be very difficult. To this end, in early April, seeds filled with humidified land substrate (peat, humus and garden soil in equal proportions) are sown to a depth of about 1 cm, which can first be germinated for the purpose of greatest germination.

Before sowing the soil it is recommended to water the following solution: for 5 liters of water dilute in ½ teaspoon of urea, superphosphate, potassium chloride and potassium sulfate. Basil seeds germinate best at a temperature of 25-28 degrees, so the container with the expected young shoots can be covered with ordinary glass or film. Sprouts of basil appear quickly enough, already on 7-8 day. And young shoots do not require special care; An important factor in this period is timely watering. Do not overmoist the soil, otherwise the plant may become sick and die.

You can sow basil seeds directly in the open ground, in the grooves made, which for quick germination it is recommended to cover with a film until the seedlings shoot.

Care of the basil

How to plant basil, in principle, is understandable. But it requires further care, implying timely watering (as the soil dries up), and regular fertilizing (once a month with nitrogen fertilizers, whose action is aimed at stimulating the increase in the green mass of the plant).

The first fertilizing takes place 12 days after planting the seedlings; Can use nitrophos, 2 tbsp. The spoon of which must be diluted to 12 liters of water. Consumption per 1 sq. M. Meter will be 3-4 liters of the prepared composition.

The maximum branching of the basil can be achieved by removing the emerging peduncles; Young leaves and tops in this case can be cut in the season two times.

It is recommended several times a season to remove the plant from weeds and loosen the soil, after which the plants need to be thoroughly poured.

Basil is quite resistant to the appearance of pests and diseases, of which the spotting and the black leg are dangerous. They can be caused by excessive watering of the plant. For the control of diseases it is recommended to collect the affected plants, destroy them and thoroughly dig through the soil after harvesting.

Basil cleaning: features

Basil cleaning occurs as it grows, selectively. At the beginning of flowering, the most fragrant shoots and leaves are cut off, the collection of which must be done very carefully, cutting off or tearing off one leaf so as not to accidentally pull the main plant out of the ground. In July, at an altitude of 15-20 cm, you can cut off the stems of basil, and the plants themselves - weed, top up with nitrate and sprinkle water. This will determine that basil in the open ground by the end of August will give a secondary active growth of the leaves, which can be cut before the onset of frost. Dry the collected raw materials in the shade (in bundles), in a place where there is constant air circulation.

Variety of basil

1. Basil fragrant (or garden). Otherwise it is also called camphor - for a tart, similar to a little clove, taste. This variety is distributed around the world, its bushes in height reach 50 cm.

2. Basil is brown. The second name is Mexican. The plant reaches a height of half a meter, has purple flowers, the leaves are characterized by the taste of cinnamon.

3. Basil is purple. This name was given to this variety for the color of leaves - large, smooth and fleshy, characterized by a delicate taste. This is the most popular variety among the peoples of the Caucasus; There he is called "regan".

4. Lemon basil. A strong lemon flavor and taste are such distinctive features of this variety, the bushes of which are semi-spread and are characterized by a large amount of leaf mass (up to 250 grams per bush).

5. The basil of the beam. The plant is short, with small fragrant leaves, spherical in shape, only 15 cm high. Leaves and shoots are characterized by a strong clove-like odor. Small-leaved varieties of basil are most often used in the form of a powder, as a seasoning for the first and second dishes, as well as marinades and sauces as an analog of cloves and pepper fragrant. Its fragrance such powders retain for 3 years.

Useful properties of basil

The valuable composition of the basil makes this herb very popular in a number of other medicinal plants. In its terrestrial part contains a huge amount of vitamins - A, C, PP, B2 - sugars, phytoncides and carotene. However, the most important value is essential oil, which determines the relevance of the plant for a specific taste and pleasant aroma. It contains a large number of valuable substances, thanks to which the basil is successfully used in folk medicine as a tonic, diuretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agent. His infusions relieve spasms, flatulence, improve digestion; This is an excellent tool used for gargling, applying compresses and poultices, treating rheumatism and relieving headaches. Also, dry or fresh grass is the basis for healing aromatic baths, soothing the nervous system. Useful substances in the plant (especially camphor), contribute to strengthening the cardiovascular system and help the effective recovery of the body in the postoperative period.

Basil - on each table

So all the same, what is basil? This is an excellent seasoning for meat and fish dishes, turning them into masterpieces of culinary art. It is used for aromatization of pickles and marinades, it is quite popular in Asian and Western European cuisines; In Armenia, this is the most favorite spicy plant, without which the meal simply does not begin. The Abkhazians, ardent fans of spicy grass, even have a saying "Who basil chews, he lives for a long time."

Basil, with its compact form, attractive colors, beautifully colored leaves and a pleasant specific aroma can be grown as a decorative culture in a roomy environment. Several basil bushes planted on the plot will not only be its decoration, but also will please the delicious, and most importantly - useful seasoning.