Correct basil cutting increases growth

Basil is a very popular herb and it is rather easy to grow. The typical aroma creates the essential ingredient and it is the aroma why basil is used to give dishes the final touch (note: cooking kills the aroma). Many world cuisines use it for cold dishes, such as various salads, but also for hot dishes. It goes great with tomatoes, mozzarella, but also with watermelon for example. We all know and tried basil pesto or a combination of peas and basil… But the list is almost endless. If you love basil and you want to grow it properly you need to cut it correctly to get the most out of the plant.

Introduction

You will need a permeable substrate, plenty of sunlight and regular watering. That is basically all you need to make your basil happy. It comes from of India but it gradually spread all over the world, mainly during the ancient times. Since its “discovery”, basil was treated as a royal plant. The name in Latin is Ocimum basilice, which is loosely translated as “royal”. Basil was also considered sacred in Egypt and the Egyptians used it in religious ceremonies.

Photo: Pixabay

Trimming is important

Regular harvesting/pruning is important as it promotes growth, but you need to follow certain rules. If you trim basil correctly it will continue to be beautiful and will have plenty of leaves. It does not matter much where you cut basil. We usually cut the largest leaves but, this should not be the most important criterion when trimming.

Incorrect cutting

What is more important is what not to cut, otherwise you may end up with a weak bush with several stumps. You need good to know how to harvest properly. Do not cut lower leaves of the plant, although it might be tempting as the lower leaves tend to be large. These leaves receive the greatest amount of sunlight and the plant use them to get nutrients. They also make the plant stronger and strength gives the plant the ability to branch out and produce new leaves.

Correct cutting

Cut leaves that grow at the top of the plant. Look for the place where new leaves are forming and cut the main stem – about 1 cm above the leaves. This is the best method because it gives the plant the opportunity to make two new branches right at the spot where you cut it. When two new branches grow enough, you can cut them again and the plant will form two additional branches again. Following this rule will give you “bushier” plant and many more leaves.

Tips for maintaining a healthy plant

Use sharp scissors, disinfected if possible, for trimming. If you cut a sick or infested branches with scissors do not use them to trim or harvest! You may spread the disease!

Source: https://www.ireceptar.cz/zahrada/jak-zastrihnout-bazalku-30000703.html

Preview photo: Pixabay