The Complete starter pack on How to grow Basil Hydroponically

Known for its amazing aromas and for particularly being used in dishes like Pasta, soup, etc, Basil can be grown traditionally as well as hydroponically. It belongs to the Mint family and grows easily from seeds and seedlings. They are cultivated and marketed in forms like fresh basil leaves,  basil leaves paste, dried basil leaves, etc. 

Apart from their contribution to food, they are also known for their medicinal properties. Surely Basil is one of those plants which people want to grow hydroponically at their homes. So let’s see how to get started.

What is hydroponic basil? Why grow Basil hydroponically?

Simple to say, hydroponic basil is the basil that has grown on nutrient-rich water without the need for a soil system. It can be grown at home with minimal effort and there are hardly any challenges associated with it. Having green shiny leaves can retain moisture and its shape can monitor condensation. 

Moreover, Hydroponic Basil usually tastes better than the soil-grown Basil plant. This is due to the type of nutrients being modified depending on requirements. Adding liquid fertilizers provide a boost as they enhance both aromas and taste.

Which type of Basil species to use to grow hydroponically?

There are more than 150 different species of basil. All different types of basil can be grown as sweet basil, lemon basil, lime basil, spicy basil, purple basil and many more. However there will be minute differences between the yield, flavor and growth rate.

However it would be suggested to grow bush basil for people who have compact surroundings and can devote only a small space to the surroundings. At the same time, sweet basil can have an aromatic effect during hot summers.

How to grow Basil hydroponically

Getting started with growing Basil Hydroponically

Basil seedlings are prone to damping-off pathogens and pythium, so extra care is needed with watering in the early stages post-germination. You need to ensure that the bed of the growing media is not overly wet.

Germinating seeds:

You can start off with 2 methods that are by cutting or by germinating the seedings. The roots appear right within a week (3-10 days) if a temperature between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit is maintained. 

Cloning Basil:

Basically, cloning means buying a cutting from a previously grown basil. This can save your money from buying additional seeds or plants. Cloning is best suited for replicating mature Basil from previous batches or nurseries that have similar traits, like resistance to diseases, enhanced flavor.

Adding Growth media:

The most appropriate growing media for the hydroponic system is perlite, rock wool, coconut coir, vermiculite, sand culture. 

Which Hydroponic System favors the growth of Basil?

Basil will grow in any setup but the main challenge will be that Basil stem ends will rise at a fast rate. This will split the plant roots and might make it worse to such an extent that it has to be thrown. That is why pruning is needed.

Pruning and harvesting regularly provide the best conditions for basil to grow. Without it also basil can grow but the yield will be very less. We will be discussing in the latter half, what pruning exactly is.

Spacing Requirements for growing Basil hydroponically

A space of about 5 to 6 inches between each plant should be maintained to allow good oxygenation and airflow. If you have compact space, try growing bush basil or using neem oil application. 

When the spacings become too compact, often the region turns out to be very humid. However the neem oil application can prevent fungal diseases spread quickly throughout the system. So a total area of 9-12 inches of space must be given to basils for a healthy yield.

Light Requirements for growing Basil hydroponically

Intense lighting with a high power-rating isn’t a must for basil. T5 fluorescent lighting with  14 to 16 hours of light per day will serve the purpose. Minimum quantity of 12 mol per m2 per day or higher as Basil plant good performs with high light levels However if you want to grow basil beyond it vegetative state, i.e it will be fully grown into a leafy vegetable, in that case, high power LED lightings should be taken into the picture.

Nutrient Requirement for growing Basil hydroponically

No doubt every plant needs nutrients for its growth. However there is a nutrient composition and ratio which varies from plant to plant. Maintaining a 1:1 ratio of potassium and calcium is always needed. These 2 nutrients are a must because they have a direct connection to the aroma, oil and flavor present in Basil.

Nitrogen is the main factor behind the green leaves and Magnesium also has a link behind the composition. So it’s essential to keep both these nutrient levels at 50 ppm. Some of the commercially available nutrients include Cal-Mag and Dyna Gro Foliage Pro. The one-part nutrient regimen is easy to use and produces basil with strong stems and heavy yield.

Harvesting and Pruning Basil

As discussed above, basil needs to undergo pruning for better growth. Cutting the top of the plant will cause it to stop growing vertically and instead it will grow laterally. So, more shoots will produce more leaves for harvest. In basil rather than the growth of the plant vertically, it is preferred to make it a bush with more volume of leaves. 

If not done, then the basil will grow upright (apical growth), splitting the stems into several parts, which ultimately have to be cut or if damaged excessively, has to be thrown away.

Harvested basil needs to be wrapped in plastic wrap and maintained at a temperature of 52- 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Also cut stems can be kept in a tray of water at room temperature.

Time taken to grow Basil hydroponically

The germination process takes about 7 to 10 days. The transplanting process will need 3 to 5 weeks. This will stabilize the plant and help it mature sufficiently in the hydroponics system. So, you can expect to harvest Basil by the end of a 1 and half months or tenth week.

Steps to follow to grow Basil hydroponically

Step 1: Find a good pot or a container, tray or small section of pipe where basil seeds or cuttings can be sown. Ensure to keep it at least 3 inches wide. Fill it with soil and growth media. The most appropriate growing media for the hydroponic system is perlite, rock wool, coconut coir, vermiculite, sand culture. 

Basil seedlings are prone to damping-off pathogens and pythium, so extra care is needed with watering in the early stages post-germination. You need to ensure that the bed of the growing media is not overly wet.

Step 2: You need to check if there is more than one plant in the bunch of basils. At Least 4-6 inches spacings must be maintained between them. However if your basil plant is very small then skip this. 

Step 3: Basil is accustomed to growing in a wet humid environment.Water every day for 5 to 7 days. Since basil won’t even grow short root hairs in that phase, after a week, heavy watering should be continued for 3-4 days and eventually regular pace of watering should be maintained.

Place your pot in an environment where there is no direct sunlight. If you are planning to put the pot outside on your lawn, have patience up to at least a week after transplanting so the growing basil; doesn’t have to face the shocks of harsh sun and wind. If not followed, it may lead to the plant  “hardening off”. 

Tips for growing Basil Hydroponically

Even though Basil is among those plants that require less care for its hydroponic growth, constant monitoring is a constant thing. However, apart from monitoring a few important parameters must be kept in check to ensure the yield as it is supposed to be. The parameters of primary importance are temperature, daily light integral (DLI), pH level, light, electroconductivity (EC), and nutrient composition. 

• Temperature – 65–70°F (18–21°C).
• Light – At least 14 hours per day. 
• pH level – 5.8–6.2 (slightly more in the case of aquaponics and organic systems).
• EC (electroconductivity) – 1.0–1.4mS, depends more on the season and weather conditions; However, during winter, plants need a higher EC than they need during summer.
• DLI (Daily Light Integral) – Minimum quantity of 12 mol per m2 per day or higher as Basil plant good performs with high light levels. 
• Nutrient solution – Choose a specific solution for herbs and leafy greens and according to water type.

Challenges faced while growing Basil hydroponically

Like in every other plant, there have to be a few challenges to maintain the equilibrium. Basil seedlings are prone to damping-off pathogens and pythium, so extra care is needed with watering in the early stages post-germination. You need to ensure that the bed of the growing media is not overly wet.

All basil is prone to get attacked by aphids and Whiteflies, Fungus Gnats. Diseases like Fusarium wilt and damping off are common if neglected. Most of these issues arise only due to these case:

• Inadequate nutrient level,
• Excessive nutrient level,
• environmental issues 
• Wrong nutrients added

The disease resistance of basil can be enhanced by maintaining an adequate nutrient regimen and a  growing hydroponic environment equivalent to its stamina.

FAQS

How do you keep hydroponic basil alive?

Ans: Store basil in the refrigerator keeping its stem in the water, at a temperature of 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature shouldn’t exceed or else it will become black and slim.

How do you fix nitrogen deficiency in hydroponics?

Ans: Adding the right nutrient composition of organic and inorganic fertilizers, especially nitrate or ammonium-based fertilizers works effectively in treating nitrogen deficiency.

Will Basil regrow after cutting?

Ans: Yes, cutting the stems, doesn’t allow upright growth, rather it introduces a fresh set of leaves to grow. That growth is exponential.