Basil can be grown in several ways: either by seed or seedling. It is easier to grow seedlings, but if you need speed and a minimum of costs and effort, the seeds are what you need. It is necessary to deal with this method of planting from the end of February to the beginning of March, at a time when steady warm weather sets in in a temperate climate zone.
But do not think that basil seeds simply sow in the ground and water, it is far from it. First of all, the seeds need to be prepared. Consider how you can quickly germinate the seeds of a plant.
Is it necessary to prepare grains of ragana for sowing in open ground?
Preheating, soaking, sowing depth, humidity, temperature compliance are mandatory measures if you want to get 100% germination. Besides, special preparation greatly accelerates the germination of basil.
Why do this?
The grains of this plant have a hard shell of essential oils, which will dissolve only under certain conditions. Without special treatment, the seeds will germinate for a very long time. Seed material should be purchased only in specialized stores. If the grains were harvested from their plot, then it is imperative to bear in mind that only seedlings grown by seedlings will give high-quality and complete seeds. With direct planting, basil seeds will not have time to mature in temperate climates.
If the planting material is not processed
If the seeds are simply planted in the soil, only 30% will rise. In addition, without special preparation, the grains may lie in the ground for 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks, which will not satisfy the requirements of gardeners.
Prepare for quick germination
Warming up
In its homeland in Central India, basil grows during the growing season at a temperature not lower than +28 degrees. The activation of the grains occurs when it hits the sun and is heated to + 35-40 degrees. If the temperature is lower, the grains may not germinate for several weeks. Therefore, it is necessary to warm the basil seeds to +40 degrees, to start the germination process.
- Seed material spread out on paper or newspaper in a thin layer.
- Place the grain in the sun, or any warm object that will maintain a temperature of +40 degrees. You can use for this purpose an oven or a battery. Such heating is recommended to be carried out within 3 hours.
Soak
Consider whether it is possible to soak and how to do it. After warming up, the seeds must be saturated with moisture. This is the most important stage to accelerate germination. Warm water is used for soaking. If the basil sits at winter, then there is no need for this stage, since the grains need a period of rest.
What needs to be done:
How to soak in water?
- Take cotton pads or a piece of gauze, put there warmed seeds, tie a thread.
- Pour warm water about 40 degrees, put grains there.
- Place in a warm place with a temperature of + 25-35 degrees for at least 20 hours to 2 days. At the same time, water is changed every 12 hours. After 30-60 minutes, the seeds will be covered with mucus, it is the process of dissolving the essential oils.
- Rinse gently with a bag of gauze or a cotton pad in water to wash off the mucus.
- Lightly dry.
Second way
- Take cotton pads or a piece of gauze, put basil seed there, tie it with a thread.
- Pour warm water with a temperature of +50 degrees into the tank. Place the seeds there for 20 minutes before cooling. Repeat the procedure three times.
- Place the wet seed bag in a plastic bag. Leave for 2 days in a warm place at a temperature of + 25-28 degrees. Air out periodically.
- Dry it slightly.
In vodka
- Take cotton pads or a piece of gauze, put the basil seeds there, tie it with a thread.
- Soak in vodka for 15 minutes. Vodka will dissolve the essential oil shell and it will be easier for the seeds to germinate.
- Wash the gauze bag or cotton pad in water so that the seeds do not stick together and can be evenly distributed during planting.
- Lightly dry.
What else should be done so that the grains quickly rise?
For a better harvest of seedlings, you can disinfect basil seeds before planting by placing them in a solution of potassium permanganate for several hours. Then they can be soaked for an hour in a root-forming solution, for example, "Kornevin" or "Zircon". Basil, qualitatively heated and saturated with moisture, will rise within 7-10 days.
Basil is a capricious tropical plant, since it can not grow everyone. But it will be subjugated if certain conditions for germinating seeds are observed. Now breeders have already bred varieties that can survive in temperate climates. Do not be afraid to try this method of planting this plant, and all must succeed.