Last updated on September 23rd, 2022 at 01:00 pm
Hydroponic basil is just like your regular plant. The only difference is that it strictly requires water for its growth and development without soil.
Due to current horticultural techniques, different species of basil will flourish richly in a hydroponic medium when given maximum care.
However, how to keep hydroponic basil alive poses a problem for many cultivators. You must improve its light condition, nutrient and PH levels, temperature, spacing, and humidity to do this.
Keeping Hydroponic Basil Alive?
Below are detailed explanations for preventing your Basil plant from dying off.
1.) LIGHT CONDITIONS
The plant is very delicate and requires a lot of sunlight, about 14-16hours each day for maximum production.
Also, the right amount of LED (light-emitting diode) will serve well if you expose it to the plant. Furthermore, you can use T5 fluorescent lighting to grow the plant.
Minimally, 10 hours of sunlight each day should also be enough to grow hydroponic basil plants.
2.) NUTRIENT LEVELS
Potassium and calcium must have a well-balanced ratio (1:1 ratio) which you must appropriately sustain to improve the plant’s leaves and branches’ oil and flavor.
Nitrogen enhances its ability to produce leaves, and you must keep it constant regularly.
Also, magnesium is of paramount importance as it creates the flavor and fragrance of the plant. It should be at a minimal level of 50ppm.
3.) PH RECOMMENDATION
When grown in a PH as minimum as 5.5, it produces just fine, but it yields better results when grown within a PH range of 6.5-6.8.
For the first few days after germination, it’s necessary to use purified water (PH balanced ideal) or, at the very least, till the rise of embryonic leaves.
4.) TEMPERATURE
Your hydroponic basil flourishes significantly in the day when receiving enough sunlight. It grows immensely under a temperature ranging from 70-80°F.
The plant requires a warm and mild environment shielded from drafts. Also, it must have a minimum night temperature of 65°F (which you must not reduce to less than that).
Airflow must be abundant if it’s grown indoors to eliminate fungi and ease the loss of a large amount of water from the plant in a process known as transpiration.
5.) PRUNING AND REGULAR MANICURING
Cut off broken stems and dying leaves with ultimate care, as mishandling the plant could lead to damage and significant loss.
6.) SPACING REQUIREMENT
The plant is also referred to as a stem-y plant (which means it can grow closely without thronging together). Spacing is essential as it enhances the free passage of air to each plant.
A precise spacing of 6 inches will allow unrestricted airflow, but having a more significant place or environment would be more efficient as you will space up to 9-12 inches.
This action will produce tremendous results as you will considerably increase growth and productivity.
7.) HUMIDITY
If a hydroponic basil plant is grown in humid environments, it suffers insufficient amounts of calcium.
Therefore, it requires water for its development, and thus, the humidity level must be within 60-65%.
How Do You Take Care of a Hydroponic Basil Plant?
Hydroponic basil plants require more care, management, and observation than the standard basil plant.
Typical plants planted using the soil are fragile and could be damaged if not correctly taken care of. Therefore, you ought to observe the following steps when taking care of the hydroponic basil plant;
1.) CARE FOR THE PLANT
Other plants do not need as much attention as the hydroponic basil plant needs if the plant is adequately taken care of.
This attention includes maintaining the balanced nutrients it requires and considering certain conditions.
After doing this, the plant will develop and grow to your taste, with high productivity.
2.) PROVIDE THE IDEAL ENVIRONMENT
The choice of environment to grow the hydroponic basil plant is essential as it determines its productivity.
The temperature and light provided for the plant are also necessary at the early stage of germination.
The perfect temperature for the plant ranges from 65-75°F, requiring 14 hours of light each day.
3.) USING A SPECIFIC NUTRIENT MIX
When mixing certain nutrients for your hydroponic basil plant, you must consider the nutrients it needs. Also, you should give the right amount to avoid deficiency of a particular nutrient.
Keeping your hydroponic basil plant in isolation gives you the advantage of enhancing the nutrient solution, temperature, and light.
4.) REGULAR PRUNING
Hydroponic basil grows predominantly and needs proper pruning to transport water and nutrients to its stems and leaves quickly.
In addition, the plant breaks open and becomes acrid to taste when not pruned. Thus, it is necessary to prune your hydroponic basil plant.
5.) PROPER WATERING
Your plant requires a maximum amount of water each day for proper growth. It needs to be watered for at least 5-7days.
This action is essential as water is its dwelling place. Therefore, it requires that the medium adapts fully and grows richly.
How to Keep Hydroponics Basil From Wilting?
Like typical plants, your hydroponic basil plant also wilts when it is affected by certain factors or lacks nutrients.
Also, you ought to take some steps to prevent your hydroponic basil plant from wilting;
1.) CHECK THE SYSTEM
Checking the system in which your hydroponic basil plant is growing is very important as some factors causing it to wilt away could be unknown to you.
These factors include bacteria or other pathogens and nutrient loss(magnesium, calcium).
In this case, you should cut off some infected plants to avoid the further spread of the bacteria. Hydroponic fertilizer is also effective as it will restore lost nutrients.
Thus, it is vital to check the system regularly to avoid significant loss of your hydroponic basil plant.
2.) PUT IT INTO THE SOIL
This technique is only used as a last resort if your efforts to keep the plant from wilting have proved futile.
First, you will have to move the plant from water to soil. Moist soil is preferable as it is nutrient-rich and will supply the nutrients needed by the plant.
You should add water gradually until it is completely absorbed. It also requires a moderate amount of sunlight, and you must monitor it closely.
A perfect favorable environment is perfect, and you should cut off withered leaves for proper growth. After a few days, you can move it back to its hydroponic medium or leave it in the soil.
How Long Does Hydroponic Basil Last?
Water is of great importance for a hydroponic basil plant as it is its means of survival. Also, the environment for its growth must generally be favorable.
Hydroponic basil lasts 2-7 days and can also be maintained if you nurse it regularly.
How Much Water Does Hydroponic Basil Need?
Water is essential for your hydroponic basil plant. Moreover, water is its primary habitat. It also needs it to transport certain nutrients, and its environment is usually in an abundance of water.
The amount of water hydroponic basil needs depends on its size, which varies considerably.
| Below is more information: |
|---|
| 1. A small-sized plants-1/2 gallon of water per plant |
| 2. Medium-sized plants-1-1/2 gallons of water per plant |
| 3. Large-sized plants-2 1/2 gallons of water minimally. |
Conclusion
The hydroponic basil plant is just like your regular plant. The main difference is that hydroponic basil strictly requires water for its growth and development.
However, if you give it suitable attention, the balanced nutrients needed are abundant, and a favorable environment is provided.
With everything this article has covered, one can easily maintain and grow a hydroponic basil plant and keep it alive.
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