The herb layer - Seeds

SEEDS (50pcs/bag)

Common name: Lime basil, Lime Basil
Scientific name: Ocimum americanum
Family: Lamiaceae

Plant history & use:

An unusual type of basil from America with a distinct lime flavor.

Goes well with fish dishes and marinades. Also a good addition to salads.

Suitable for both Asian and Mediterranean dishes.

Culture:

Annual. Grows up to 50 cm in height.

Grow in well-drained potting soil in a sunny location. Outdoors or in a pot.

Sowing:

Fill a pot or seed tray with moist, well-drained soil. Spread the seeds evenly over the soil and press them down gently so they make good contact with the soil surface. Do not cover with soil.

To maintain humidity, cover the seeds with plastic wrap or a plastic bag with air holes. Then place the seeds in a warm, well-drained spot and leave until the seeds have germinated. Alternatively, sow in a mini greenhouse to maintain even humidity.

It usually takes between 5-15 days for the seeds to germinate.

Features :

Year: Perennial
Growing position: partial shade/sun
Height: 50 cm
Germination time: 5-15 days

SEEDS (50pcs/bag)

Common names: Ararat-Basilika, Red Spotted Basil
Scientific name: Ocimum basilicum
Family: Lamiaceae

Plant history & use:

Peculiar basil variety. The leaves are the color Deep dark purple and green with a slight metallic tone and has a serrated leaf edge.

Ararat Basil has a light licorice flavor that leans towards anise. This variety is a little sweeter in taste than the basil we are used to.

Has small light purple flowers that are a little bitter to the taste - these are also edible.

Can be placed in crops to repel insect pests.

Culture:

Quite a large variety - reaches up to about 50 cm in height. Prefers humus-rich and airy soils in warm, sunny, sheltered places. If the previous requirements are met, it is also important to water a lot - then the basil grows quickly. Does not like windy locations.

Harvest the leaves and stems from the top of the plant and pinch off the edible flower buds as they emerge, as this prevents the leaves from becoming bitter and signals the plant to branch out and grow more leaves, creating a dense and bushy plant.

Sowing:

Sow indoors in pots from February to May or directly outdoors from May.

Easy to germinate. Scatter the seeds on the moist soil surface and press them down gently so that they make good contact with the soil surface. Do not cover with soil.

To preserve moisture, cover the seeds with plastic wrap or a plastic bag with air holes. Then place the seeds in a warm, well-drained spot and leave until the seeds have germinated. Alternatively, in a mini greenhouse to maintain even humidity.

It usually takes between 5-15 days for the seeds to germinate.

Features :

Year: One year
Growing position: sun
Height: 50 cm
Germination time: 5-15 days

SEEDS (50pcs/bag)

Common names : Holy basil, Kapoor, Rama Tulsi, Holy Basil
Scientific name : Ocimum africanum
Family : Lamiaceae

Plant history & use :

'Temperate Tulsi' - the name speaks for itself. This is a hardier variety of Holy Basil ( O. tenuiflorum ), a completely different species to be exact. It is better suited to growing in our climate as it is more used to lower temperatures and also resistant to frost. The herb grows faster than its cousin O. tenuiflorum but the life cycle is also shorter - harvesting can be done after just 40 days. Originates from East Africa.

It is described as being more productive in our climate and having better germination than O. tenuiflorum .

'Temperate Tulsi' has a flavor described as "tutti frutti", or "bubble gum". Notes of vanilla and myrrh are also common. Most widely used for making tea due to its distinct aroma and healthy nutritional profile. It is also used in cooking.

Holy basil is often confused with Thai basil ( Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora ) - which is a different species.

As one of the most widely used ancient medicinal plants, Holy Basil has been used to treat common colds, headaches, and various stress disorders, among other things. The stem, leaves, and seeds are used for these purposes.

In traditional societies, the herb is also used as a natural mosquito repellent, by applying the aroma from the plant to the skin.

The abundantly blooming purple inflorescences are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Cultivation :

Abundant flowering. 'Temperate Tulsi' is an annual and is lower and has a more bushy growth habit than O. tenuiflorum . Self-seeds more efficiently than other basil varieties.

Use a well-drained, humus-rich soil and place in partial shade or full sun, it will do well in both. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings will increase the plant's aroma production (= more flavor) - this is a result of the plant's response to stress.

Grow in a pot or flower bed as a low-growing herb. If you grow it outdoors and want to let it grow there year after year, you can let it flower and set seed - it will most likely self-sow and germinate next year.

If you want the plant to focus more on foliage growth, you can cut off inflorescences before they have time to develop.

Basil is easy to take cuttings from, make a diagonal cut with a clean tool just below a leaf. The cutting should be around 15 cm. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting and place in a glass of water that you change regularly. Plant in soil when roots have developed.

Sowing :

Higher germination in our climate than O. tenuiflorum .

Place the seeds on a moist layer of soil. Press the seeds lightly into the soil for good contact. Keep the seeds moist. One way to maintain good moisture is to cover the seeds with plastic with air holes.

Features :

Year: One year
Growing position: sun/partial shade
Height: 40 cm
Germination time: 5-15 days