An aroma that will make your mouth water: Basil leaves are certainly an ingredient that makes your dishes even more delicious. For this reason, having them at hand is truly a convenience!
Basil seedlings . However, they don’t always last long enough. Indeed, the ones we buy at the supermarket seem to wither quite quickly despite our efforts.
Let’s see how to make them last longer , keep them healthy and full of fragrant leaves .
Gradually get him used to the sun
The first thing you need to know about the basil plants you just bought at the supermarket is that they have most likely been kept only in artificial light inside the shop.
Consequently, if you place one in direct sun , it will dry out quickly as it is not used to natural light .
The ideal is to gradually place it in an increasingly brighter environment so that the plant gets used to it. Initially keep it in partial shade . Then, move it into indirect sunlight . Finally, you can place it in direct sunlight for a few hours a day.
Furthermore, remember that in the hot months, you can keep this plant outside , while in the cold months it is more appropriate to keep it inside , perhaps on a window sill if it is not yet fully mature and able to withstand higher temperatures. low.
Water carefully
Basil in the supermarket is not always grown as it should. It is often simply watered with a spray bottle .
That’s why, when you bring it home, this plant can often be dehydrated . The ideal, therefore, is to water it carefully , taking care to make the soil soft but never muddy.
A watering method that you can use is the immersion method : you can, in fact, put the plant in a sink or a basin with some water and keep it there for 10-15 minutes so that, through the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot , the basil absorbs the water it needs.
Remove diseased leaves
When we bring basil home, immediately after purchasing it, we often notice the presence of leaves that are already dry or even with strange spots .
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To prevent it from spreading to the rest of the plant’s foliage, since it is a disease, remove them with a pair of shears or even simply detach them with your hands.
Fertilize immediately
The seedlings you brought home from the supermarket may be a little debilitated . If it is spring or summer, as soon as you bring it home you can start fertilizing your plant .
The most suitable fertilizer for this plant is the universal one, which you can often find even at the supermarket itself. However, you can also choose to do it yourself and fertilize with products you already have at home.
An example? You can spread crumbled coffee grounds on the soil at the base of the plant , after letting them cool. These, naturally rich in nitrogen , can give your basil a quantity of energy to strengthen it and make it last longer.
Remove the wrapping
Let’s get to the most banal, but perhaps most useful piece of advice.
The supermarket basil plant is often sold in a decorative plastic wrap that partially surrounds the foliage .
While often pleasing to the eye, this casing can limit the light the plant needs or even prevent proper photosynthesis. For this reason, it is essential to remove it immediately and leave the leaves of your basil free to breathe and… smell !