Brilio.net - Basil is an aromatic leaf that is often consumed as a side dish with pecel lele , fried chicken, grilled chicken, and other dishes. In addition, basil is also often used in various Indonesian dishes such as woku chicken, various sambals, pepes, and grilled rice. Its distinctive fragrant aroma makes food even more appetizing!
You can buy basil leaves at the market or supermarket, but many people prefer to grow it themselves at home. In addition to being more economical, growing basil is also practical because it can be picked immediately whenever needed.
Basil is an easy plant to grow. You can grow it from seedlings, stem cuttings, or seeds from the flowers. However, in order for basil plants to grow well and lushly, proper care is still needed.
A netizen on the YouTube account Hijrah Berkebun shared an easy and cheap trick to care for basil plants so that the leaves grow abundantly and densely. Perfect for those of you who want to have your own basil garden at home!
"Let's plant it ourselves at home, it's easy to plant basil leaves. So today I uploaded a video on how to plant basil leaves at home so that it produces lots of branches and leaves to harvest," he said, quoted from YouTube Hijrah Berkebun.
If your basil plant has started to grow as tall as your thumb, you can start cutting the tops. The owner of the YouTube account Hijrah Berkebun said that cutting the tops of basil can help the plant produce many branches.
On the other hand, if the basil plant has started to flower, the flowers should also be cut so that the leaves and flowers do not compete for nutrients. After all, only the leaves will be harvested from the basil plant, right? Well, the part of the flower that has been cut can later be used for seeds to be planted again.
photo: YouTube/Hijrah Gardening
For its nutrition, this basil plant can be given any type of fertilizer. However, YouTube user Hijrah Berkebun admitted that he prefers fertilizer that does not require capital, namely rice washing water. This rice water can be given routinely once a week. On the other hand, so that the nutrition obtained by the basil plant varies, he also often replaces the rice water with fertilizer from animal waste.
photo: YouTube/Hijrah Gardening
So, isn't this trick for caring for basil plants really easy?
FAQ About Planting and Caring for Basil
1. Why do basil plants flower quickly and have fewer leaves?
Basil plants that flower quickly usually occur due to the age of the plant and lack of regular pruning. When basil begins to flower, the plant will focus more on producing seeds than growing new leaves, so the number of leaves decreases.
The solution:
- Prune basil shoots regularly: Cut the top of the plant when it starts to grow tall to encourage new branch growth.
- Remove flowers that start to appear: So that plant nutrients remain focused on leaf growth.
- Give nitrogen-rich fertilizer: Organic fertilizers such as rice washing water or compost can help the leaves grow thicker.
2. How can basil grow well in a pot?
Planting basil in a pot requires a few tricks to keep the plant healthy and the leaves lush.
Tips for caring for basil in pots:
- Use a pot that is large enough: Choose a pot with a minimum diameter of 20 cm and has drainage holes so that water does not stagnate.
- Use fertile planting media: Mix soil, compost, and rice husks to keep the soil loose and rich in nutrients.
- Water regularly, but don't overdo it: Just water once a day in the morning or evening. Avoid overly wet soil as it can cause the roots to rot.
- Place in a place with enough sunlight: Basil needs at least 46 hours of sunlight per day to grow optimally.
3. What are the benefits of rice washing water for basil plants?
Rice washing water contains various nutrients that are good for plants, such as carbohydrates, vitamin B, and minerals, which can help basil plants grow more fertile.
Benefits of rice washing water for basil:
- Adds nutrients to the soil: Helps plants grow healthier and develop faster.
- Stimulates root and leaf growth: The nutrients in rice water can make basil more lush.
- Easy to use: Simply sprinkle the rice washing water onto the soil around the plants once a week so that the nutrients are properly absorbed.
With proper care and Rp0 capital, you can have a thriving basil plant that can be harvested at any time!