Propagating basil is quite simple. Today you will learn how to grow new plants from basil cuttings and what to look for.
What's better in the summer than tomato mozzarella? Tomatoes and mozzarella are quickly procured. But the fresh basil is the problem. It just doesn't taste right with dried leaves.
Especially in summer, you can hardly do without basil herbs. Crisp, fresh, incredibly refreshing scent of the royal herb beams at us in the supermarket.
We let ourselves be wrapped around the finger every time. And again, a pot of herbs for over 2 euros ends up in the shopping cart. Now begins the long ordeal of basil in our kitchen. The first two days it is still bursting with energy and freshness. And then? Then it wilts, the leaves turn yellow and fall out.
And the worst: the little mosquitoes that suddenly crawl out of the ground everywhere and besiege the apartment. Without warning. And without us having time for tomato mozzarella. What a disaster.
Gone is the dream of delicious salad and pesto.
If you're tired of it, then you should make basil cuttings to propagate it. That way you'll have an endless supply of the delicious herb at your fingertips.
Basil is one of the Herbs that should not be missing from any balcony. It is indispensable for countless dishes in the summer. You can add it to pasta dishes, sauces, salads, soups, on pizza, in Limos give. Enjoy with meat, cheese or in tomato salad.
Table of contents
How can I propagate basil?
There are basically two ways to propagate basil:
- via seed or
- About cuttings
At the same time, the Mediterranean plant has a very ingenious feature: it can be quite simply over Propagate basil cuttings. If you rely on cuttings, you can harvest fresh basil for life - without breaks.
A cutting that you have grown yourself, survives much longer than purchased basil. The plant did not have to go through transportation, knows the environment, gets enough nutrients and this creates much less stress for the plant.
Once the herb has taken root, it goes into a large pot. All alone. Now the cutting has room to grow. Because purchased herbs have far too little soil to grow really well. That's why they wither away after a short time.
How to make basil cuttings?
The best way to propagate a true variety of all basil species is via cuttings. This is how you proceed:
- Look for the strongest stems. The best cuttings have juicy green leaves and no flower set
- Cut the stems just above the pot
- Remove the lower leaves
- Fill a glass halfway with water. Place the shoots in the water glass
- Place the basil in a bright, not full sun window spot
- Renew the water every other day
Tip: If you put some charcoal in the water, you can prevent rotting
When basil forms roots?
Already after a few days the first small roots appear. After 2 weeks, the roots are formed so much that the plants can move to soil. It should have a length of 3-4 centimeters, so that the plant can quickly absorb nutrients.
This is how you pot a cutting:
- Fill pots with 10 cm diameter with organic herbs or vegetable soil
- Make a depression in the center of the pot with your finger
- Put the basil cutting in the ground
- Fill up the soil to a few centimeters to the lower pair of leaves
- Press the soil and water the cutting
Place the plants in a bright place. They can really tolerate a lot of sun after the third day of planting and will be happy with a place facing south.
After about a week you can harvest the first fresh leaves.
By the way, in case you are wondering what the difference is between Propagate basil via cuttings and about offshoots is: There is none. :) These are just two different terms for one and the same method.
Tip: If you bet on multiplying basil, you will always have a nice gift for a dear friend.
Care basil cuttings
If the plants take root well, you can transplant them in about 3 to 4 weeks. They will then be happy with new herb soil and a larger pot. If you have a garden, you can put the plants outdoors from the middle/end of May.
Use compost or other fertilizer is not necessary. With an excess of nutrients, unfortunately, the taste of the Mediterranean plant.
Once you put basil in the, it needs regular watering. The plant does not like to stand dry at all. For basil cuttings, it has proven useful to put the pot in the water bath for 20 minutes. However, make sure that excess water can drain away afterwards. Stagnant moisture does not like the royal herb - therefore, avoid full saucers.
The larger the flower pot, the better and the bushier your plant will become. Regularly cut off the tops of the plants so that it forms new side shoots.
If the plant should form a flower, you can either remove it or just let it bloom. Bees love basil flowers and you can later obtain seeds to grow new plants of the king herb in 1-2 weeks.
How to propagate basil by seed
For garden fans, it is a very special experience when seeds begin to germinate. That moment when they first poke their little heads out of the ground and then grow into a large plant is indescribable.
If your basil cuttings have formed flowers, you can take seeds from them. Or you can just buy the seeds in the supermarket. The seeds must be stored in a dark and dry place. In March/April you can propagate the basil.
Here's how you do it:
- Fill a pot with soil
- Moisten the earth
- Sprinkle the seeds of basil on the soil
Basil is a light germinator - this means: cover the seeds not with soil. Always keep nice and moist. Basil needs heat and light to germinate. A sunny place by the window is good. After 1-2 weeks the first cotyledons look out of the pot.
When the plantlets are about 5 cm tall, you should start separating them. Each basil plant will then get its own pot with soil.
There are a few things to keep in mind to make this successful. Seeds and seedlings are much more delicate than a basil cutting. What you pay attention when sowing basil You can read about this in a separate article.
If you have taken too many seeds, you can use them in the kitchen. The small, black seeds are namely true superfood. You can let them soak up in water. In the delicious basil drink then increase in size by up to 10 times.
Mixed with lemon, mint and ginger you have the perfect summer drink. The seeds have a subtle basil flavor. Be sure to try it!
Where is the right location for young basil plants?
When the basil goes into its own pot as a cutting or as a small plantlet, it first has to get used to it. You should not place the pots in full sun during this time. If the plants are stronger, they love warmth and sun.
Basil is the perfect plant for a sunny balcony or a bright window.
If you want to have something from your self-propagated basil for a long time, you should also have a little fertilizer on hand. Basil needs good soil to thrive. And every three weeks a little liquid fertilizer.
At temperatures below 12 ° the plant completely stops growing. Therefore, it should be outdoors only when the temperature is constantly above 10 ° Celsius.
Did you know that you can grow lettuce from a stalk?
Why is fresh basil so healthy?
It not only tastes delicious, basil is also healthy. In the Mediterranean region, people have known about the importance and effect of the plant for over 3500 years. Today we eat basil because of its taste. In the past it was a medicinal and ritual plant.
Basil contains many trace elements, minerals and vitamins. Such as manganese, copper and vitamin C.
- 50 grams of fresh basil contain:
- 125 g calcium for teeth and bones
- 3 mg iron for blood formation
- 2000 µg beta-carotene. It is the raw material that the body needs for obtaining vitamin A. This vitamin acts against inflammation, keeps the nerve cells fit, maintains the mucous membranes and is crucial for good eyesight.
- 180 µg of vitamin K. Two tablespoons of pesto are enough to cover the daily requirement of vitamin K. Per day the body needs 70 µg of this vitamin.
Well, if these are not good reasons to propagate basil yourself. That way you'll always have a fresh batch of the green leaves on hand.
Our conclusion
To multiply king weed, is really quite simple. To make basil cuttings, cut small branches and put them in water. After 2 weeks they will have taken so many roots that you will have new basil plants.
Have fun making it! And enjoy tomato mozzarella! 🙂
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