Spicy and fragrant anis-flavoured Thai Basil
Sweet thai basil is a fabulous variety to cultivate indoors or on your patio.A vigorous plant with large dark green leaves and red-purple stems which have attractive violet/pink flowers. It has a has a spicy aniseed/liquorice aroma and flavour. Frequent ingredient in green and red curries or used as an accompaniment to many Asian dishes.Open-pollinated seeds. Thai basil is a rich source of vitamin A and Iron. It also contains other minerals like potassium, manganese and magnesium. Thai basil can be used in cocktails, to flavour sauces, infuse oil for cooking or vinegar for a salad dressing. Try a Thai basil and lime home- made ice-cream, you will love it!
Scientific Name:
Plant Life Cycle: annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 20-28C
Germination time in days: 7-14 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 30-50 days
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil requirement: Well drained, aerated, fertile soil
Sowing and cultivation: Start seeds indoors from late April to mid-summer. Sow a few seeds over the top of regular compost, water gently, lightly cover and pop it into a propagator. When the seeds have germinated, place in a warm, bright spot, such as a sunny windowsill, and water regularly to keep the compost moist. When the seedlings are large enough to handle and have their first true leaves, transplant into their own 7.5cm pot filled with multi-purpose compost. Shelter from the wind. Will grow better in a greenhouse. Space plants by 30 cm apart
