Thai basil has cult status within the multifaceted basil genus. The question arises as to whether the Asian herb plant differs from classic varieties in terms of care. The following care instructions provide all the important answers.
How do I care for Thai basil properly?
Thai basil care includes regular watering when the substrate is alternately moist, weekly fertilization for heavy feeders, targeted cutting for bushy branching and possibly overwintering in sunny, warm quarters with additional organic liquid fertilizer.
How to water Thai basil?
Thai basil thrives excellently in substrates with varying moisture content. Always allow the surface of the soil to dry before watering next time. Place herb plants in pots in water for a short time to water them from below.
At what rhythm is fertilization done?
Like all of its conspecifics, Thai basil is also a heavy eater. The frequency and dosage of fertilizer take this into account as follows:
- fertilize the bed weekly from May to September with compost (€12.00 on Amazon) and horn shavings
- ideally incorporate an additional 100 grams of granulated cattle manure per square meter of bed area every 2 weeks
- Pamper potted plants once a week with organic liquid fertilizer
If you plant Thai basil in pre-fertilized soil, the first dose of fertilizer will be administered after 4-6 weeks at the earliest.
How to cut Thai basil?
The pruning has several goals. The priority is to harvest the spicy leaves. In addition, a cut helps the bushy branching and prevents flowering. How to do it right:
- Consistently prune the shoots to promote a bushy habit
- whole branches with a length of at least 5 centimeters are always harvested
- where buds appear, the shoot is immediately trimmed
- At least one pair of leaves remains on the royal herb, where a new shoot thrives
Is there a possibility of overwintering?
When it comes to the need for warmth, Thai basil is no exception. Nevertheless, the lemon basil Bai Maenglak is so robust that overwintering is worth a try. How to approach the challenge:
- if temperatures fall below 12 degrees, Thai basil will be stored
- the winter quarters are sunny and warm with a minimum of 15 to 20 degrees
- the substrate must not dry out or become waterlogged
- a dose of organic liquid fertilizer is welcome every 4-6 weeks
Tips & Tricks
Always keep plant he alth in mind when caring for Thai basil. There is a risk of diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spots and mosaic virus infection. A lovingly cared for herb plant has the best resistance to lurking pathogens. If necessary, resorting to biological control agents will provide quick relief.
