HYDROPONIC BASIL AND CILANTRO
Warm-season, aromatic herbs such as
basil and cilantro thrive outdoors in
the long, hot days of summer. However,
greenhouses and indoor gardening
have seen these popular crops become
a year-round feature in many kitchens
and restaurants. What makes these
herbs stand out from many others is
the fact they lose much of their flavor
and aroma when dried and thus tend
to be used fresh. While it’s relatively
easy to grow basil and cilantro indoors,
there are a few tips to keeping the
flavor, aromatics, essential oils and
overall quality of these herbs high while
producing plentiful supplies through
the long winter months.
Indoor hydroponic systems can also
take advantage of the diverse range of
basil cultivars now available as seed,
many of which are difficult to obtain
as a cut herb product. Modern hybrids
also offer an increased range of disease
resistance, easy to handle pelleted
seed, slow bolt types and high-yielding
varieties specially bred for container
growing and protected cropping.
Basil
While most of us are familiar with
the traditional, large-leaved sweet or
Genovese basil used in a huge range
of dishes and often associated with
tomatoes, chillies, peppers, hot
salsas and pestos,
basil varieties
are far more
diverse than just
these cultivars.
Not only are
the glossy green
leaves of basil
highly attractive,
but they are also
available in a
number of more
colorful ornamental forms.
Purple, frilled,
ruffled and
spotted, mottled
and bicolored
cultivars are
Basil varieties come in a range of attractive colors.
available that not
only have that
distinctive basil flavor, but brighten
hydroponic production, with high light
up hydroponic systems with a splash
levels that are required for a deep,
of intense color.
intensive coloration to develop.
Plant size and form also differ
Of the sweet green types, those suited
between basil varieties, with some
to indoor gardens include Genovese
highly compact types having been bred
Compact Improved and Elindra, bred
for container production, while flavor
for container/greenhouse production.
profiles in basil are diverse, giving
These cultivars are great for those
great opportunities for culinary use.
short on space. Nufar and Aroma 2 are
Of the purple types, Red Rubin, Dark
taller Genovese sweet basil types that
Opal, Purple Ruffles, Purple Delight
have the advantage of resistance to
and Basil Bicolor are well-suited to
Fusarium root rot disease.
“Indoor hyd roponic
systems can also take
advantage of the diverse
range of basil cultivars now
available as seed, many of
which are difficult to obtain
as a cut herb product.”
Genovese is the most popular type of sweet basil.
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Maximum Yield USA | June 2016