Growing Basil

[Don Foley]

Hi Charles,

I have a clump of Sweet Genovese Basil seedlings (6) growing under a Growlight in Multi Purpose Compost in an 11cm Pot. I sowed the seed on 4th. April and all sprouted. Seedlings are currently about 2″ tall but I think growth seems to have slowed. They look healthy.
Might be my imagination. I’m wondering if the fact that it is a clump of 6 might they have exhausted all the nutrients in the Compost. Roots are not protruding from the base as yet and I’m concerned if I go to a bigger pot they might suffer from excessive water in the bigger Pot.
Should I feed them and if so what should I feed.
I should also add that I have never been successful at raising Basil until I got the Growlights this year- light levels on my windowsills fluctuate and I’ve only ever got week leggy seedlings in the past.

Don.

[charles]

Well done Don. Six plants per module need a lot of feed so I would pot them on, next size up, giving about a third more compost in volume. Aim to repot before bottom leaves start to yellow as that signifies a check in growth.
I can’t advise on feeding as I never do it, I prefer to pot on.

[Don Foley]

Thanks Charles. I am rather pleased with myself on this as I have never grown Basil anything near as good before. Looks just like what you might buy in a Garden Centre.
In fairness I do think a lot is down to the Growlights. Unfortunately the only south facing windowsill doesn’t get direct sunlight for much of the day because of a tall boundary wall.
Everything I usually start indoors ends up very leggy but this year the Lettuce, Basil, Tomatoes, Peas, etc. look every bit as strong and healthy as anything I could buy in a Garden Centre. In fact I think they are better – but I would wouldn’t I!!
With the added bonus that the cvrs are what I want to grow not what they want to sell me.

Don.

[bluebell]

Hi Don can I ask what grow light you have? Is there. Anything that you would change about it? There are so many different ones and vast price differences

[Don Foley]

Hi Bluebell,
I’m using 2 Lightwave T5s. They are 2′ long with 2 bulbs in each. Cost was €90 each including adjustable hangers.
I only used a growlight for the first time 8 weeks ago so can’t really comment on your other question.
What I will say though is the results are spectacular, seedlings are as good as if not better than anything I’ve seen in Garden Centres. I will be buying more of these and maybe of larger size to accomodate something like the 84 cell module tray.
I will never use the windowsills again.
Don.

[bluebell]

Thanks Don. Whilst I would love to produce ‘perfect’ seedlings hard to justify the extra cost.

[Don Foley]

Hi Bluebell,

Just to illustrate my point about the Growlights here is a Photo of two Black Plum Tomato Plants sown on the same date.
On the left is a plant raised under the Growlights and on the left one grown on a windowsill.
I think you will agree the difference is striking.

Don.

[Don Foley]

Sorry. On the right is the plant raised on the windowsill.

Don>

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