A fresh look at Sweet Italian Large Leaf Basil

For those looking to cook up a plate of pesto like a chef in Italy, this is the basil variety to grow. According to Burpee Home Gardens, it is the authentic Neapolitan Basil for Italian cuisine. It can be used fresh or dried and does well in the garden, repelling pests such as aphids, mites and tomato hornworms. Sweet Italian Large Leaf Basil grows between 24 and 30 inches tall.

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Production:

• During germination, seed should be covered and media should be near saturation.
• Maintain soil temperature at 65-70°F. Keep soil pH between 5.5 and 5.8, and an EC less than 0.75 mmhos/cm.
• Basil is very sensitive to high salts, particularly ammonium, during germination. Keep ammonium levels to less than 10 ppm.
• Radicle emergence will occur in five to eight days. Reduce moisture levels once radicle emergence occurs, allowing the soil to dry out slightly before watering.
• Begin fertilizing with 50 75 ppm N from 14 0 14, 15-5-15 or a calcium/potassium nitrate feed once cotyledons are fully expanded.
• Alternate feed with clear water and irrigate early in the day so foliage is dry by nightfall.
• During the third stage, the growth and development of true leaves, the soil temperature should be dropped to 62-65°F.
• To promote root growth and control shoot growth, allow the soil to dry thoroughly between irrigations but avoid permanent wilting.
• EC should be less than 1.0 mmhos/cm. Soil pH should remain the same.
• Increase fertilizer to 100 150 ppm N from 20 10 20, alternating with 14 0 14, 15-5-15 or other calcium/potassium nitrate fertilizer. Use every second to third irrigation.
• Use magnesium sulfate or magnesium nitrate if using 15-0-15, but do not mix together as precipitate will form.
• To control plant height, use DIF whenever possible, especially after the first two hours of sunrise.
• When plants are ready for shipping or transplanting, keep EC less than 0.75 mmhos/cm and fertilize with 14 0 14, 15-5-15 or calcium/potassium nitrate feed at 100 150 ppm N as needed.
• Light levels should be as high as possible during finishing while maintaining a temperature of 65-70°F. Keep temperature at 60-65°F at night.
• Use a well-drained, soilless medium with a medium initial nutrient charge and pH level of 5.5 to 6.2 during finishing.
• Fertilize every other irrigation with 15-0-15, alternating with 20-10-20 at 150 ppm nitrogen. Maintain EC around 1.0 mmhos/cm.

Did you know?
Basil is responsive to day/night temperature differential (DIF), and is shorter with a negative DIF.