BASIL-ITALIAN LARGE LEAF
$3.50
SEEDS PER PACK: 375
In stock
Ocimum basilicum
BASIL-ITALIAN LARGE LEAF is regarded as the key basil for true Neapolitan cuisine. Pick the large leaves & use fresh or dried in tomato dishes, sauces, & soups. You can use basil in the garden as a companion plant to repel aphids, mites, & tomato hornworms. This basil grows 45 to 60cm high & 30 to 38cm wide. The dark green, shiny leaves can grow up to 7cm long on a tall, erect plant that is slow to bolt. Basils are loaded with volatile oils, responsible for the heady aroma & strong flavour so essential to cooking.
How to Grow Italian Large Leaf Basil
To grow Italian Large Leaf basil, you will need:
- Soil: Basil prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and perlite or vermiculite works well.
- Sunlight: Basil requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If you live in a hot climate, it’s best to provide some shade in the afternoon.
- Watering: Basil should be watered regularly, but avoid letting the soil become waterlogged. Soak the soil thoroughly, then let it dry out a bit before watering again.
- Fertiliser: Basil benefits from regular feedings of an all-purpose fertiliser, especially during its active growing period.
- Container: Basil can be grown in pots or in the ground. A container with drainage holes is important to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged.
- Transplanting: If you start your basil from seed, you may need to transplant the seedlings into larger containers or into the garden after they have a few sets of leaves.
- Pruning: Pruning the tips of the basil will encourage bushier growth. Pinch back the tips when the plants are about 6 inches tall and repeat when they reach 8-10 inches tall.
- Harvesting: Pick the basil leaves as needed, but avoid taking too much from a single plant at one time. Picking regularly will also encourage bushier growth.
SHOP Garden Supplements
Further reading
https://www.growables.org/informationVeg/Basil.htm
| Plant Height (cm) | 45 - 60 cm (1.5 - 2 feet) |
|---|---|
| Season of Interest | Summer |
| Temperature Range | 18 - 30°C (64 - 86°F) |
| Annual / Perennial / Biennial | Annual |
| Frost Hardy / Tender | Frost Tender |
| Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade | Full Sun |
| Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings | Raise Seedlings |
| Soil | Well drained, rich in organic matter |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Soil Temperature | 18 - 24 °C (65 - 75 °F) |
| Seed Preparation | Soak seeds in warm water for 4-6 hours before planting |
| Sowing Depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) |
| Plant Spacing | 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) |
| Row spacing | 30 - 45 cm (12 - 18 inches) |
| Watering | Regular to keep soil moist, not waterlogged |
| Germination Time (Days) | 5-10 days |
| Harvest Time (Days) | 60 - 90 days |
| Good Companion Plants | Tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce, Oregano, Marigolds,Asparagus |
| Bad Companion Plants | Rue, Sage,Cucumber |
| Pests | Aphids,Whiteflies,Spider Mites,Cutworms |
| Diseases | Fusarium wilt, Downy mildew, Powdery mildew, Grey mould, Bacterial leaf spot, Verticillium wilt |
