How To Grow Hydroponic Basil

Germination
Requires 3 to 10 days to germinate
Rockwool or Cocopeat or Rooter plugs are best suited for germination
23°C (73 °F) is the best temperature

Transplant Procedure
Switch to your hydroponic system after a 3-4 leaf growth
NFT and RAFT Systems is best choice
Post transplantation, it takes 3-5 weeks to stabilize and mature

Conditions
Basil likes warm conditions
Basil leaves catches more water and hold it
Controlling condensation is crucial. Keep your humidity between 40–60%
Basil transpires heavily in the dark so good airflow to maintain recommended humidity levels

Pruning
Pruning correctly is important for herbs, especially in basil
Do not pinch, use sharp sheers to avoid damaging the foliage
Well pruned plants look better, yields more, and easier for shipping
Encourage lateral root for more yield
Cut multiple pairs of lateral buds in a way that it won’t stop air flow and light

Foliage Care
Pull off any affected leaves because they may cause fungus growth
Keep surrounding clean and eliminate all of your bitter basil by harvesting before bolting

Planting Space
8-12 inches space between plants is recommended
Lighting Duration
For Indoor setup, 10-15hrs Led light is good

Nutrient Required
Nutrients requirement is the same as lettuce check out our “How to Grow Hydroponic Lettuce” blog
In general, herbs like more Ca and Mg
K and Ca ratio has a direct relation with the oil and flavor of the basil
For the best taste and aroma, you may add Mg 50 ppm to your nutrient
Maintain Ph 5.5-6.2. For aquaponics system choose a little higher value

Harvest
After 40-50 days and seeing its growth, you can start harvesting

Disease Care
You can enhance disease resistance by providing proper nutrients and by keeping the area clean and sterilized
All basil are prone to attack by aphids, whiteflies, and sometimes thrips
Fungal diseases like Fusarium wilt and Dampening off is also common

Post Harvesting Care
If you pack basil in plastic with little or no air exchange, be sure to keep storage temperatures stable to avoid condensation
Vented bags work best for basil. Also you can keep it in a jar of water
Keep it around 12–18ºC. This temperature helps you attain a shelf life of 12 days
Basil requires some special post-harvesting care
Also Read: How To Grow Hydroponic Lettuce
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