Basil

A plant that looks like a fluffy ball with a very warm color scheme is almost impossible to take your eyes off. At the same time, the flower looks incredibly elegant and sophisticated, which also attracts the attention of aesthetes. Basil can rise above many other plants, thereby standing out against their general background. Despite the fact that the plant has a very spectacular and bright appearance, it does not differ in some whimsy or capriciousness, if we talk directly about caring activities, due to which it also stands out against the background of many other plantings, which are no less spectacular, but with this, in order to achieve success in flowering, they need to devote almost all their free time.

Basil is a culture that is absolutely unassuming when it comes to growing conditions. She perfectly tolerates the winter period, and is also suitable even for those flower growers who do not yet have any experience in this field, but who want to get excellent flower arrangements without much knowledge and skills. In order for the plant to please the gardener with its appearance, it is worth following some rules and recommendations for planting and breeding a basil. Under natural conditions, the plant can be found in Europe, as well as in Siberia, the Caucasus, China and Japan. By its species, the plant is one of the closest relatives of the catchment area. At the same time, the similarities lie in the fact that both of them have similar openwork foliage, only in the basilist it is larger and more abundant.

To date, about 150 species of basil have been identified, many of them have long been very popular with flower growers. There are also species about which little is known, but they are still gaining popularity, as there are growers who want to independently identify the features and specifics of these species. In this article, we will describe the most basic characteristics of basil plants, and also dwell in more detail on the features of planting this plant and caring for it at home and garden. In general, the article may be of interest to both novice gardeners and more experienced gardeners and florists who would like to expand the possibilities of planting on the site, make them more diverse and vibrant.

Basil characteristics and description

First, let's take a closer look at how a perennial plant looks like. Basil is a rhizome planting that is ideal for growing outdoors. At the same time, among flower growers, the basil is especially appreciated precisely because it has incredibly decorative and attractive foliage, and the inflorescences can also decorate any personal plot. The root system has the ability to very quickly develop and grow, and the roots can lie at a fairly large depth, which in some way simplifies the process of caring for the plant, because there are no roots on the surface. Basil stems are straight, foliage is rather weak, or leaves on the stems may be completely absent. The height of the stem varies from half a meter to two meters - this indicator depends entirely on the species and variety of the basil, as well as on the conditions in which it grows.

There are varieties of basil, in which a certain number of leaves are nevertheless formed on the stems. But most often the leaves are collected in the root part, they form a rosette of several leaves.The plates themselves are very smooth, shiny, in color - a deep dark green shade, they look very decorative.

When the formed buds bloom, the sepals begin to gradually fall off, and only stamens remain in the place of the former flower. Thanks to them, the flower becomes even more magnificent. The color of the flowers of the basil can be completely varied - there are yellow and purple, red and purple flowers. This again depends on which variety this perennial belongs to. Sometimes there are basil plants, whose buds are completely snow-white in color. During flowering, the flowers give off a very strong aroma that can attract pollinating insects, especially bees. It is for this reason that basilists have long been announced as one of the most pronounced and popular melliferous plants. The basil fruit is a multi-nut, which includes very large, slightly elongated seeds. The fruit forms immediately after flowering has been completed.

As a rule, a basil can grow in the same area for six to seven years. At the same time, at this time, it can not be transplanted from place to place, and the plant will not lose its attractiveness and decorativeness. The plant especially favorably tolerates periods without transplanting also when the florist provides him with enough care and attention, then the flower does not need anything at all, and even more so does not need a new place for planting.

Varieties and types of Basil

Due to the fact that the basil has a lush appearance, the plant is very often used to decorate flower beds and plots, and it is also in demand within the framework of landscape design. Florists, in principle, initially understand that basil plants look really very attractive, and therefore they often plant them on plots, since this culture is decorative.

Of course, the basil is a whole genus that includes several species at once. We will list some of the species and give them a brief description so that the grower will be more aware of what this plant is, how and when it is best to plant it on the site.

Basil aquifer is a plant that has several popular names - life-giving, gnawing grass, weasel, spool and many others. Basically, this plant prefers to grow on the edges, as well as in glades. It should be broad-leaved and mixed moist forests, because this is where the plant will feel most comfortable. This species looks like a tall plant, its height can vary from half a meter to 120 centimeters. It grows mainly as a compact bush, which is easy enough to care for. The leaves have a rounded shape, the color is silvery-green, they themselves are smooth and shiny, from below you can feel a slight pubescence on the leaf. The flowers are very small, as for the color, it can be pale lilac, white or slightly pinkish - it all depends on the conditions under which this type of basil grows. The fruit is a leaflet that absorbs a certain amount of seeds. They can be prepared by the florist himself in order to propagate the plant in the future. Flowering usually occurs in either June or July.

Basil Basil is a species that includes several main varieties with their own characteristics and characteristics. Among the most popular varieties are the following:

• - duorf pearl - this variety is distinguished by its short stature, its height reaches fifty centimeters, no more. The inflorescences on the bush are very dense and abundant, have a bright pink color
• - Thundercloud is a medium-sized variety of basil. Its average height is about 70 centimeters. The inflorescences have a bright purple hue, they stand out very much against the background of many other varieties or types of flower crops
• - Album is a very tall variety, its height can reach one meter, but sometimes this indicator is far from the limit. At the same time, the inflorescences are ideal snow-white panicles that look very refreshing and festive.

The next species is the yellow basil. In other words, among the people, the basil is also called scrofula or girennik. This species takes root well in humid areas, in particular it feels comfortable on the banks of rivers and lakes, near swampy areas, in damp meadows or meadows.

Basil yellow is a herbaceous plant that is also perennial. Its rhizome is quite long, the stem is leafy in a uniform shape. The length of the stem is from 60 centimeters to two meters, completely depends on the place of planting, as well as on how the grower himself looked after him and whether he followed the technique of the agrotechnical order, the inflorescence is a very dense panicle, the flowers can be slightly greenish, and at the very ends of the inflorescence twisted, have a persistent and attractive aroma. The stamens, in turn, have a bright yellow color, the fruits are ovoid, the achenes are sessile, suitable for further propagation of this plant with their help. Flowering occurs from June to July, the plant looks really very decorative and includes several varieties that have long been cultivated by the growers themselves. Among the varieties, we highlight such as:

• - porthole - a variety in which it is the deciduous part that becomes a bright yellow hue during regrowth
• - Silver sparkler - this variety has increased decorative features. The leaves are smooth, deep dark green. On the surface of the leaves there are numerous white stripes and strokes, which adds another zest to this variety, so it can be found quite often in the garden. In general, almost all varieties that are included in the group of this species have attractive external features and characteristics, they look very unusual. Due to this, thanks to the yellow basil plants, the florist can make a bright and beneficial accent on the site.

Small Basil is a herbaceous rhizome perennial. As a rule, these are fairly compact plants that look great both as part of a group planting, and as separate single shrubs. In general, small basilists today are found both in flower beds and for decorating winter gardens and personal plots. They are distinguished by their relative unpretentiousness, although it cannot be said that these plants do not really need attention and care from the gardener. But if suddenly he does not have a lot of time for this, then the plant will still retain its decorative features.

Light basil (shiny, narrow-leaved) - from the name it is roughly clear what are the main characteristics of this plant species. They are quite tall - they can reach a height of one and a half meters, sometimes even this is not some kind of limit for them. The rhizome is short and at the same time very powerful; several straight, upright stems emanate from it, which have a curved nodal system. The leaves are complex in nature, they are rather narrow, while at the same time they reach at least one centimeter in width. From above, the leaf plate is smooth, has a dark green color, shines in the sun, which adds to the plant's appearance in appearance. The flowers of this type of basil are pale yellow in color, they are collected in inflorescences that have a paniculate shape. Flowering begins in mid-June, differs in duration, since in August you can also see that the basil has dropped far from all the inflorescences.

Alpine basil is a herbaceous plant, very short - its maximum height is only 20 centimeters. The stem is simple in shape, bare, only one leaflet can be located on it.The leaves themselves, for the most part, can form at the very base of the stem. The leaves themselves are smooth, leathery, green or dark green in color without streaks, stripes or blotches. The flowers are lilac, collected in the most common inflorescences. But even despite such seemingly simplicity, the plant still looks pretty attractive and a little naive.

Basil filamentous is a stunted shrub, its height reaches 25 centimeters, but no more. The rhizome is very strong, and also long, much longer than the upper part of the plant. The species spreads perfectly on the soil, creates the appearance of a green carpet, which consists of small individual leaves. The flowering is plentiful, the flowers themselves are white in color, the inflorescences can be collected in a panicle, or they can simply sprinkle the entire shrub in a chaotic manner. Flowering begins around mid-May and lasts until the very beginning of June. If this type of basil is not transplanted, then in the same place it will be able to preserve its decorative effect for 15-20 years. It is best to plant such an impromptu living carpet around garden trees, it will look really very attractive and unusual. This basil is very easy to care for, which also makes this planting one of the most preferred.

There are several other types of basil that we also would not like to ignore:

Basil dipteran - its height is about two meters, the flowers are very graceful, painted in a pink shade. The inflorescences are collected in a neat bunch, their diameter is up to 15 centimeters. At the same time, the length of the inflorescence is quite impressive - about 60 centimeters. The leaves are dark green in color, attractive and very interesting. At the same time, the variety differs in that it is quite resistant to frost and temperature extremes, and in general it is not at all demanding when it comes to agrotechnical caring measures.

Basil of Delavey - its height usually reaches one and a half meters, while the leaves can be twice or three times feathery, they are not the same in shape and size. The flowers of the basil are small, they can be colored either pink or lilac. They are collected in a fairly large, but rather loose inflorescence. Flowering begins at the very beginning of July, and lasts until the end of August, so it can delight the grower in the midst of flowering a huge number of other crops. The fruits of the basil itself ripen around the end of summer, from there you can collect seeds, which are then excellent for further plant propagation. Winter hardiness in this species, unlike many others, is average. In Russia, especially in its middle lane, it is recommended to cover the plant for the winter so that it does not freeze and die or lose its decorative features and features. Delaway has several special varieties - Hewlett Double, Elbum. The Elbum variety has perfect snow-white flowers, which just make this variety especially attractive, and therefore this variety can very often be found in group and single plantings.

Rochebrunn Basil - This type of basil is perhaps rightfully recognized as one of the most beautiful among all the others. But at the same time, it is also considered very rare, so it is not so often that it can be found in plantings on the site. The height of the plant reaches two meters, the shoots are of a reddish hue, on which leaves are alternately painted, painted in a bluish green tint. The flowers on the basil are lilac in color, their shape is more like a fan than the typical shape of other flowers from the same genus or species. Thus, we examined the features of this variety, as well as some species and varietal varieties.The next part of this article will be devoted to what are the ideal conditions for growing this plant, and what is required from the grower himself in this case, because everyone wants to have perfect plantings that will only decorate the garden plot.

Basil cultivation and care

In general, the basilists were and remain the most unpretentious cultures, and therefore they do not cause much trouble to the gardener. But nevertheless, in order for the plant to fully reveal its decorative potential, demonstrate its beauty and attractiveness, it is necessary to maintain it, create optimal conditions for growing the basil in various districts and regions, in particular on the territory of such a different Russia.

A flower grower should take care in advance about where the basil will grow, especially given the fact that the plant does not treat transplants in the best way, which means it will grow in the same place for many years. A correctly chosen place is that aspect that will further have a positive effect on the excellent flowering of the basil, and on the fact that he will feel comfortable. When a florist chooses a place for planting, it is best for him to focus on what natural needs this plant has. In natural, wild natural conditions, the basil grows mainly on forest edges, or near water bodies and swamps. It is best to plant it on a site in partial shade, because if you plant it on a site with direct sunlight, then there is a great risk that the basil will begin to stretch, and besides, it will need to be constantly watered. So it is best to plant a plant under a tree or near a pond, then it will feel sufficient moisture, will not be in a draft or under too strong winds, and the light will fall on the plant diffused - everything is exactly as it should be.

As for the soil composition, in general and in this regard, the plant is completely undemanding. It can easily grow on gravel, rubble, and clay soil. But the basil grows well in garden soils that are sufficiently moist. For planting, you can also take sandy loam soils or loams, the acidity in the soil should be moderate or generally neutral. Before planting, the place should be well dug up, the ground should be loose and ventilated. Then the soil is leveled and then all the agrotechnical requirements for planting the basil are fulfilled.

Watering - in this regard, it is worth immediately saying that, in general, the basilist does not need to be watered regularly. This flower can calmly survive a temporary drought, but it is not worth prolonging it, since if the drought is prolonged, then there is a great risk that the plant will lose its decorative features. Young plants need more abundant watering, for which they use rain or melt water, as well as warm settled water. An adult plant can only be watered in too much heat and on condition that there is too much heat.

Loosening the soil is another condition for caring for the basil. The soil around the bush is loosened immediately after watering has been carried out. It is also worth removing weeds, as they can interfere with the development of the plant. Due to loosening, the soil will begin to be saturated with oxygen, which will penetrate into the root system, and the flow of oxygen is very important for the development of the basil. It is also worth taking care of the introduction of mulch, as this will help prevent moisture evaporation, the soil will not overheat unnecessarily, and the plant will be protected from attacks from pests and bacteria.

Top dressing - It is best to add top dressing as soon as the plant is planted. This will be just enough to not apply any fertilizers and top dressing in the next two or three years.When this time has passed, then it is worth taking care of the introduction of trace elements and dressings. Usually this procedure is carried out with the beginning of flowering; for this, a mineral complex is ideal, which is intended for horticultural crops and plantings. You can also apply top dressing around September, but then organic fertilizer is best suited, which is embedded directly into the soil. The plant responds well to it as a natural supplement, so that in general organic matter is considered not only effective, but also very safe for basilists and many other garden and flower crops.

Pruning is completely optional. Only one species of basilists needs it - the water-catching one. All other species can be pruned only before the plant enters a dormant stage before wintering, and in general, the grower can independently assess whether it is worth pruning the plant, primarily for forming purposes. Almost all species and varieties of basil are very winter-hardy plants, so in general there is no specific procedure that could thoroughly prepare crops for winter. It is only worth sheltering the basil of Delaway, all the others can perfectly tolerate even extreme frosts.

Of course, gardeners are interested in whether there are any problems when growing basilists. Experience shows that there is one pest that is not at all opposed to eating flowers, and which can have a negative impact on the growth, development and general condition of this plant. This pest is the bronze flower beetle. This beetle is quite large in size, and its distinctive feature (as the name suggests) is a bronze tint. Also, aphids should be attributed to the pests that infect the basil. These insects can be dealt with with the help of effective insecticides - karbofos or acarin, spark or biotlin. Spraying is done in accordance with the instructions for use, then the plant will feel comfortable and completely safe.

• Experienced gardeners rarely propagate basil by seeds, since this process requires very large physical and time costs, and not everyone is ready to wait so much time at least for the appearance of the very first shoots, not to mention the fact that from them then for a long time full-fledged shrubs with flowering were formed. If the gardener nevertheless decided to breed basilists, and uses the seed method at the same time, then it is worth adhering to some agrotechnical rules in order to get a decent result. Only the freshest seeds are planted, so collecting them is the responsibility of the gardener himself. Once the seeds have been harvested, they should be stored in a dry but very well-ventilated place, and it would also be a good idea to dry the seeds so they don't start to rot. Before the seeds are planted, it is recommended to stratify them, and also disinfect them with potassium permanganate. After that, they are planted in a soil composition, and you can also take ordinary pots, which are just designed to accommodate seedlings. After the seedlings have already been sent to the open ground, it is not possible to take care of them all the time. The most important thing is that the seedlings must successfully adapt, take root and get stronger. Then they will begin to gradually grow, but they are planted in a permanent place only after a year, given that in general the basilists are not very positive about transplants. Flowering begins around the second year after the bushes have been planted in open ground.
• If you propagate basilis by dividing, as well as by cuttings, then the gardener will have much less trouble, and the plant itself will retain all the characteristics that are characteristic of the mother plant.The most important thing is to also adhere to agricultural techniques and take into account that basil plants are plants that have a very powerful root system, so you should not try to change or destroy it in any way. If the seedlings are purchased, then it is best to buy them in nurseries, choose the strongest seedlings, carefully examine the root system, as it must be strong, without damage and signs of fungal diseases, rot. Also, when choosing seedlings, attention is paid to the varietal characteristics of the bush. It is best to purchase zoned varieties that have already managed to acclimatize in the conditions, and therefore they will adapt faster and easier on the backyard.

Due to the fact that the culture has a very unusual appearance, it can be widely used in horticulture and floriculture. Basil is used to decorate flower beds, landscape designs. But the bush also looks great in single plantings, since during flowering it gives full-fledged inflorescences of different shades and sizes. Basil plants are also planted in flower beds next to many other variegated perennials.