Surely more than one person sometimes asked himself what basil is. It seems to be familiar to all spicy herbs, about which actually quite a bit is known - just what it is eaten with and what it looks like.
What is basil?
Basil (translated from Greek - “royal”) is one of the favorite spices, a native of Asia, in ancient times it was the subject of worship in Ceylon, in Greece, Iran and India, and the Indians considered its leaves a “pass” for a deceased person entering paradise.
Wreaths from the basil were found in Egyptian pyramids, which indicates the venerable age of the plant. In their writings, this medicinal herb was mentioned by Avicenna, Hippocrates, as well as the ancient Roman encyclopedist Pliny. Europeans have been skeptical of such a spicy culture for quite some time; there was even a belief that this plant was cursed, and its smell, acting on a person magically, turns the latter into a scorpion. Only after several centuries, Europe still fully appreciated what basil is, and fell in love with its 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 a decorative appearance (up to 60 cm in height) with oblong-oval shiny leaves, the color of which varies from bright green to purple. Leaflets differ not only in color; in different varieties, they can have a different shape: corrugated, with carved edges or just flat.
It is the divine aroma of the latter that is the main reason for the
cultivation of basil. At the ends of the stems of the plant are racemose inflorescences of various colors (from pale pink to reddish-purple). The flowering period falls on July-August; it was at this time that the aroma produced by basil, due to the accumulated essential oil in the leaves, is very saturated.
Basil: planting
Probably any lover of the beautiful would like to have always fresh seasoning on his personal plot. Therefore, you should know how to plant basil. It is preferable to choose for it open sunny areas with fertile soil. It is worth remembering that in one place, basil is not recommended to be planted in the ground for several years in a row, otherwise it will lead to Fusarium disease, in which brown spots form on the leaves. At the previous landing site, 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 legumes.
Basil seedlings are planted in 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 even more so than sudden frosts. Previously, the soil should be fertilized: for each square meter, add 2 kg of compost, peat and humus, and immediately after planting, pour plenty of water (preferably with warm, settled water). Basil, the planting of which is not difficult, should be planted at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other, the row spacing should be about 30 cm.
Growing seeds for seedlings
Although basil seedlings are sold on the market, you can try to grow it yourself - it will not be difficult. To do this, at the beginning of April, in seeds filled with moistened ground substrate (peat, humus and garden soil in equal proportions), seeds are sown to a depth of about 1 cm, which can be sprouted for the purpose of maximum germination.
Before sowing, it is recommended to pour the soil with the following solution: dilute ½ teaspoon of urea, superphosphate, potassium chloride and potassium sulfate to 5 liters of water. 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. Basil sprouts appear quickly enough, already at 7-8 days. Moreover, young sprouts do not require special care; an important factor in this period is timely watering. Overmoistening of the soil must not be allowed, otherwise the plant may become sick and die.
You can sow the seeds of basil immediately in the open ground, in the made grooves, which, for rapid germination, it is recommended to cover with a film until the seedlings shoot.
Basil Care
How to plant basil, in principle, is understandable. But it also requires care, which implies timely watering (as the soil dries up), and regular top dressing (once a month with nitrogen fertilizers, the action of which is aimed at stimulating the growth of the plant’s green mass).
The first top dressing is done 12 days after transplanting; You can use nitrophos, 2 tbsp. tablespoons of which you want to dilute in 12 liters of water. Consumption per 1 square. meter will be 3-4 liters of the prepared composition.
The maximum branching of the basil can be achieved by removing the appearing peduncles; in this case, young leaves and tops can be cut twice a season.
It is recommended several times during the season to rid the plant of weeds and loosen the soil, after which the plants need to be properly watered.
Basil is quite resistant to pests and diseases, of which spotting and a black leg are dangerous for it. They can be caused by excessive watering of the plant. To combat diseases, it is recommended that the affected plants be harvested, destroyed and thoroughly dug up after harvesting.
Basil harvesting: features
Harvesting of basil occurs as it grows, selectively. At the beginning of flowering, the most fragrant shoots and leaves break off, the collection of which must be done very carefully, cutting or tearing one leaf at a time so that the main plant is not inadvertently pulled out of the ground.
In July, at a height of 15-20 cm, you can cut the stalks of basil, and the plants themselves - weed, feed with saltpeter and quality water. This will lead to the fact that basil in the open ground by the end of August will give a secondary active growth of leaves, which can be cut before the onset of frost. It is necessary to dry the collected raw materials in the shade (in bundles), in a place where there is a constant air circulation.
Varieties of Basil
1. Fragrant basil (or garden). Otherwise, it is also called camphor - for the tart, similar to a little clove-like taste. Such a variety is widespread throughout the world; its bushes reach a height of 50 cm.
2. Basil is brown. His second name is Mexican. The plant reaches a height of half a meter, has purple flowers, cinnamon smack is characteristic of the leaves.
3. The basil is purple. This variety got its name 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 it is called "regan."
4. Lemon basil. Strong lemon aroma and taste are such distinctive features of this variety, the bushes of which are semi-spreading and are characterized by a large amount of leaf mass (up to 250 grams per bush).
5. Basil beam. The plant is stunted, with small odorous leaves, spherical in shape, only 15 cm high. The leaves and shoots have a strong clove smell. Small-leaved varieties of basil are most often used in the form of a powder, as a seasoning for the first and second courses, as well as marinades and sauces as an analogue of cloves and allspice. Such powders retain their aroma for 3 years.
Useful properties of basil
The valuable composition of basil makes this herb very popular in a number of other medicinal plants. In its ground part contains a huge amount of vitamins - A, C, PP, B2 - sugars, volatile and carotene. However, the essential value is essential oil, which determines the demand for a plant for a specific taste and pleasant aroma. It contains a large number of valuable substances, thanks to which basil is successfully used in folk medicine as a tonic, diuretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agent. His infusions relieve cramps, flatulence, improve digestion; it is an excellent remedy used to gargle, apply compresses and poultices, treat rheumatism and relieve headaches. Also, dry or fresh grass is the basis for healing aromatic baths that calm the nervous system. The beneficial substances found in the plant (especially camphor) help strengthen the cardiovascular system and help the body recover efficiently in the postoperative period.
Basil - for every table
So after all, what is basil? This is an excellent seasoning for meat and fish dishes, turning them into masterpieces of culinary art. It is used to flavor pickles and pickles, 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 start. Abkhazians, ardent admirers of spicy weed, even have the proverb “Whoever chews basil 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 indoor conditions. Several basil bushes planted on a personal plot will not only become its decoration, but will also delight in a tasty, and most importantly - useful seasoning.