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.

Health Benefits: Basil is also used to treat flatulence, nausea, joint pain, headaches, depression, etc.

• 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.

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.

• check_circleOrganic Manure: 1.0 - 1.5 tons
• check_circleSuper Phosphate: 25 - 30kg
• check_circlePotassium Chloride: 15 - 18kg
• check_circleNPK: 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), 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.

• 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.