Last updated on September 23rd, 2022 at 01:09 pm
The basil herbs have numerous varieties and differ in characteristics; hence, certain conditions are ideal for some basil plants and not so much for others.
For example, the hydroponic system is suitable for bush basil, Genovese basil, sweet basil, and Italian large leaf basil.
The hydroponics system is a soil-free medium used in growing basil plants. It does not have the risks associated with traditional soil-type methods.
In addition, when basils are grown in hydroponic systems, they grow considerably faster and can be kept for years.
Maybe you have decided you want to transfer them and wondered if you can do it. Or you hoped to bypass their seed growth stage with the traditional soil method.
Can You Plant Hydroponic Basil In Soil?
Yes, most varieties of basils that do well in hydroponics can be transferred to soil though it is far from easy. Many complications can factor in when you transplant and other precautions you must take to prevent them from dying.
Is It Better To Grow Basil In Soil or Hydroponics?
Basil is an essential herb in most kitchens because it is versatile and has many benefits for the kitchen and your health.
It can also be grown traditionally in the soil or with a hydroponics system. You can use both methods to grow basil, and each system has benefits.
One of the most apparent differences between these two methods of cultivation of the basils is the absence of soil in the hydroponics.
However, the hydroponic system is actively efficient for growing your basils by accurately determining the PH levels, temperature, nutrient mix, and light.
With the soil method, there are lower costs in going about it as there is no need for determining the perfect nutrient mix and setting up for the system, and indeed, it doesn’t need the spot-on accuracy as in the hydroponics system.
However, hydroponics and the soil method have significant differences, benefits, and conditions.
Therefore, deciding which is better is a decision you must make on your own after weighing the two different methods and figuring out which conditions you can actively handle without having your basil plant wilt out.
If you are in love with the gardening process that goes into gardening, the hydroponics system will not be a fit for you.
The process requires fewer human resources than the soil method, and the somewhat grueling process of taking care of your plants until maturity for some that may love them is cut.
Also, hydroponics is suited for indoors and not outdoors. Hence the location of your garden is also a factor to consider.
Though potted soil plants can be used at home, they would generally require more space and a reduced yield. If you do not want indoor basils, hydroponics may not be a good option.
However, if you want one, you may need to invest in keeping insects at bay.
Insects love hydroponic basils, and you will have to control them, which may be an added cost for you with the hydroponic system already being expensive to set up and manage.
Why Is Hydroponics Better Than Soil?
Basil is one plant that can thrive in a hydroponics system, and it can be kept in the system for a very long time with proper conditions, with the leaves harvested anytime you wish.
This system has a lot of advantages and is preferred by most people due to its benefits. The significant advantage of this method is the fast growth at which the basil plant matures, which is significantly faster.
The reason is that they are raised in the most accurate temperatures and are not affected by other factors detrimental to soil methods, such as temperature or nutrient deficiencies.
Once the proper spacing is ensured, and the right mix of potassium and calcium is established for them, the basil’s growth is chiefly guaranteed. This leads to an increase in the yield of the basil.
Also, there is no need to wait for external factors or certain climate conditions to plant your basils; this is a plus for the hydroponics system as you can always meet the proper needs.
Though well established, there is also no need for soil that can be detrimental to the basil due to fluctuations in their nutrients.
Maybe the soil in your garden isn’t ideal for basil. That would be a huge letdown if you would want to cultivate them at home. Another benefit of the hydroponics system is the limited need to water your basil.
This advantage is essential because of the growing need to conserve water and not worry about your basil plant.
The plant gets the right amount of water by recirculating the water around it.
The hydroponic system also compensates for space as they get their adequate nutrients from the system, and there is no need to spread out roots in the soil in search of nutrients.
The space is adequately maximized in hydroponics, plus the increase in yield with less space is ideal.
In addition, the time spent tending to your basils, including reducing competition by weeding when planted in the soil, is significantly reduced.
How Do You Keep Hydroponic Basil Alive?
After setting up your hydroponic systems and your basils have started thriving, the question will be how to keep them in top condition and prevent wilting. Check Out our Article about Keeping hydroponic Basil Alive.
The first step is to make enough room for them to spread their leaves. The optimum spacing for your hydroponic basil is about 5-6 inches, but it can also go as high as 9-12 inches between each plant.
Place your hydroponic basils under LED lights; they usually require only about 14-16 hours of sunlight to grow vegetatively efficiently and have a constant supply of their nutrient mix composed of calcium and potassium.
Magnesium is also needed in small quantities.
When growing basil, you should water them frequently for about 5-7 days to prevent shock and help them better adjust to the environment, and the water should have a PH of about 5.5-6.5, a well-balanced point for the basil, and the right amount of humidity.
Conclusion
Basil is an important and versatile herb, not just as a condiment but also in the systems used in raising them. You can transplant the hydroponic basil to the soil;
However, you must strictly follow certain conditions to prevent the plant from dying off.
This method is arguably the best method of raising basil. As long as certain factors associated with the system turn you off, there are many benefits you can derive from the hydroponics system.
The traditional method of growing basil by soil is also readily available if you would love to try that. But instead, it also has its benefits, and the decision is solely based on personal choice.
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