Culinary Herbs
BASIL
(Thai Basil / Sweet Basil)
Basil is a culinary herb used raw with other vegetables or separately with dishes such as pork innards, poultry, etc., due to its attractive aroma.
Growing Conditions
Preparation
Water Needs
Basil
Ocimum bacilium L
1. Characteristics
Herbaceous, >1m high, purple stems. Fibrous roots. Ovate, green leaves.
2. Uses
Culinary herb. Treats bloating, nausea, joint pain, headaches, depression.
3. Cultivation
Sow Aug-Sep. Loose soil. Seeds/Cuttings. Spacing 20-25cm.
I. USES
Basil is a culinary herb used raw with other vegetables or separately with dishes such as pork innards, poultry, etc., due to its attractive aroma.
Health Benefits: Basil is also used to treat flatulence, nausea, joint pain, headaches, depression, etc.
"High economic efficiency for many farming households."
II. BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Stems: Herbaceous, annual, can grow over 1.0m high. Stems and petioles are purple.
- Roots: Fibrous root system, shallow, moisture-loving, does not tolerate waterlogging.
- Leaves: Leaves ovate, green surface, smooth, shallow serrated edges.
- Climate & Light: Basil prefers mild climates and plenty of light; lack of light is thought to make leaves less fragrant.
- Soil: Grows well on loose soil with good irrigation and neutral pH for high yield and quality.
III. CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
1. Season
- If planting from seedlings, sow seeds from late August to September.
- Nursery soil needs to be fine, loose, weed-free, fertilized with 2-3kg of rotten manure per m².
- Average seed amount: 2-3g/m².
2. Soil and Fertilizer
- Soil: Must be plowed carefully, fine, loose, and weed-free.
- Bed surface 1.0 - 1.2m wide, 20 - 25cm high, 25cm furrow width.
Fertilizer for 1,000m²:
- Organic Manure: 1.0 - 1.5 tons
- Super Phosphate: 25 - 30kg
- Potassium Chloride: 15 - 18kg
- NPK: 40 - 50kg
* Method: Basal application of all organic fertilizer, super phosphate, 1/3 NPK, and 1/3 potassium into furrows or on bed surface. Mix well with soil before planting.
3. Propagation Method
- Can be propagated sexually (seeds) or asexually (cuttings).
- 30-35 days after sowing, when plants have 4-5 true leaves, transplant to field.
- If using cuttings, choose healthy plants free from pests, cut branches near the base (5-6cm lengths).
4. Planting Distance
Rows 20-25cm apart, plants 15-20cm apart.
Insert cuttings 2-3cm deep into soil (at least 1-2 nodes in soil). Cover and press soil gently to encourage rooting.
Transplanting seedlings follows similar methods.
5. Care
- Watering: Water twice daily after planting. Once rooted (2-3 days), water once daily depending on humidity. Use clean water. Avoid flooding furrows.
- Cultivation: After rooting, loosen soil, earth up slightly, and weed.
- Top Dressing: When plants recover, apply first top dressing (1% solution or dry application followed by watering). Total mineral fertilizer: 20kg/1000m². Apply second top dressing after harvest.
- Pests: Basil generally has few pests. Prevention through good cultivation techniques is best.
IV. HARVEST
- Harvesting: First harvest 35-40 days after planting. Subsequent harvests every 15 days. Usually left loose (not bundled), or branches cut (in the South).
- Seed Production: Select healthy plants, harvest whole plant in July-August, dry on tarp (not directly on brick/cement). Yield: approx. 25-30kg/1000m².
Growth Process
Sow / Plant
Late Aug - Sep.
Care
Water 2x/day, top dress when recovering.
First Harvest
After 35-40 days.
Next Harvests
Every 15 days.