To maximize your yield, you may be wondering whether you should plant hydroponic basil in soil or water. Although it’s often thought of as one of the easiest plants to grow, there are specific conditions that need to be met to grow healthy basil plants.
For that matter, can you plant hydroponic basil in soil?
Yes, you surely can plant hydroponic basil in soil. In fact, if you follow these tips and tricks and you will find that it’s incredibly easy to grow hydroponic basil in soil! Plus, once you know what works, you can even switch between growing hydroponic and non-hydroponic basil without any issues!
Can You Plant Hydroponic Basil in Soil?
Yes, you can, but if it’s not done with proper, it may kill the plant itself.
Hydroponic basil is a type of herb that can be grown without soil. This means it can be planted without the need for pots or dirt and will not dry out as easily. However, hydroponic basil is not recommended to be planted in soil because it does not grow at the same rate as plants grown in soil.
Due to this, planting hydroponic basil in soil may kill it if not done correctly.
Although the plant may live, there is a chance that it won’t thrive. In addition, depending on how deep you plan on planting the hydroponic basil roots you should use at least two inches of moistened potting soil for optimal results.
What is Hydroponic Transplant Shock?
Hydroponic transplant shock is when a plant that was grown hydroponically is transplanted into soil. The plant can experience transplant shock if it has been growing its roots in water because the roots are accustomed to having constant oxygen and moisture.
To avoid this, you can flush the roots with plain water before transplanting them so they are not exposed to any fertilizer or chemicals that may be present in the soil. The other issue with transplantation is that if the plants have been planted too deeply.
There may not be enough water available for them to absorb once they are put into the soil. This means that you need to leave more of the pot sticking out of the ground than normal when planting a hydroponic basil plant in soil.
Hydroponic System vs Soil for Basils: What to Choose and Why?
Basil plants are some of the most popular plants that home and commercial gardeners grow, but choosing between traditional soil or hydroponic methods can be difficult. So which method should you choose?
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both traditional soils vs. hydroponic systems, and show you why a hydroponic system would work best for growing basil at home or your business.
Basil requires less water when grown in a hydroponic system
With a hydroponic system, basil only needs to be watered every few days. This is because the water is continuously being recycled and reused. In traditional soil, basil has to be watered every day because the soil dries out easily and needs water to stay moist.
As well as needing less water, hydroponics produce more yields of basil per square foot than soil-based systems do. Basil grown in a hydroponic system can yield up to ten pounds per square foot whereas in a soil-based system it could only yield up to three pounds per square foot.
There is no need for weeding with hydroponics
Weeds can be a major problem for traditional soil, but not with hydroponics. This is because hydroponics uses a nutrient-rich solution rather than soil to provide nutrients to the plant.
When all of the plants in a container have reached their maximum height, simply add more liquid and they will continue to grow. In addition, there’s no need to worry about weeding or fertilizing since these tasks can be done as easily as adding water!
If you want to change what your basil grows best on, it’s simple just swap out the type of base that your basil has been planted on. Hydroponic systems also allow you to easily change how much light your basil gets which helps regulate when you harvest it.
Pests and diseases are easier to control in a hydroponic system
One of the reasons why hydroponic systems are better is because they provide a better solution to controlling pests and diseases.
In traditional soil, pests and diseases can be much more of an issue because the ground itself can carry these things on its surface or in the soil below. This means that even if you have a healthy plant growing above ground, it still might be carrying some sort of pest or disease with it that could attack other plants without you knowing about it.
In hydroponics, this is not an issue at all because the plants grow directly in their water system, which means that there’s no soil for any type of pest or disease to hide in.
How to Replant Hydroponic Basil on Soil?
If you want to replant hydroponic basil on soil, the first thing you’ll need to do is make sure your soil has been prepared for planting. If not, it can take up to a year for your soil to be ready!
Lowering the water level of the hydroponic system
Lower the water level of the hydroponic system by turning off your pump, and opening the drain at the bottom of your grow container. Prepare a pot or tray with soil in it; this will serve as a temporary pot for your hydroponic basil plants while you are repotting them.
Hold one plant over the soil, and gently shake its roots out of the grow container’s net pot. Gently lift it out, making sure that all dirt stays in the net pot and doesn’t fall into your new temporary pot’s soil surface.
Removing the plant Safely
To remove the plant from your hydroponic system, you will want to make sure you have a container that is large enough for the root ball. Remove any soil from the root ball and place it in a container with fresh potting soil. Carefully trim away any dead or dying roots before planting into the new soil. Be sure to water well after planting.
Preparing the pot
Once you have your pot prepared, it’s time to fill it with soil. Fill the pot with soil up until about an inch from the top. Planting basil hydroponically is a different process than planting in soil because you are planting into the air instead of the ground, so make sure there is enough space for roots to grow.
Take your basil plant and loosen its roots by gently tugging at them. Loosen all around the root ball, but don’t take out any roots or tear them apart. Place the basil plant in the center of your pot and spread out its roots so that they’re not touching each other or anything else inside the pot.
Add more soil around it if necessary and pack it down firmly with your hands.
Transplanting the basil into the pot Carefully
Transplant the basil into a pot with soil. Make sure that the pot has enough room for new roots to grow and develop. Place the basil plant in a location where it will receive 6 hours of sunlight or more each day. Mix the dirt well, removing any rocks and debris from the pot before adding water to give your basil a better chance at surviving transplantation.
Fill up the pot with water so that it reaches about an inch or two from the top of the soil, then let it drain out from there until you can feel dry soil on your fingers when you try to poke them into it.
Watering the Transplanted Basil
After you’ve transplanted your basil plants into the soil, it’s important to make sure they’re getting enough water. The best way to do this is with a good old-fashioned watering can. Fill the can up with water and then pour the water onto the soil in your garden bed. This will moisten everything and give your plants what they need to survive.
Plant it in your garden
Hydroponic basil should be planted in soil because it needs more nutrients than the water in a hydroponic setup can provide. Hydroponic basil plants need a porous medium that will allow for good drainage and air circulation. Potting soils are usually made of peat moss, sand, compost, and perlite.
You can find these at your local garden center or make your mix with a three-to-one ratio of peat moss to vermiculite or perlite. For best results, plant your basil seedlings one inch deep in the potting soil. Allow about four inches between each plant for good airflow and light exposure.
How Do You Keep Hydroponic Basil Alive?
There are many reasons to grow hydroponic basil in your home, whether you’re looking to add some fresh herbs to your cooking or just trying to grow something new and interesting.
However, one of the biggest challenges you’ll likely encounter when growing this tasty herb is keeping it alive, especially if you’re not quite sure how long it typically takes basil to grow from seedlings to full-grown plants. To help you keep your basil healthy and thriving, here are eight easy steps you can follow.
Start with high-quality seed
The first step to keeping hydroponic basil alive is to start with high-quality seeds. There are many varieties of basil available, so make sure you choose the right kind for your needs.
The best time to plant is in early spring, and if you live in a warm climate or have a greenhouse or sunroom, then you can plant at any time. Plant the seeds in moist potting soil, making sure they’re not too deep so they don’t dry out or become buried.
Cover them up with soil and water well. The easiest way to keep hydroponic basil alive is to simply maintain an even temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) and make sure there is adequate humidity in the air.
Use a sterile growing medium
The most important thing to consider when growing basil is what you are using as a substrate. While there are many different types of hydroponic substrates, the most popular is rock wool. Rock wool should be sterilized before use to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that could contaminate your plants.
If you don’t have any form of sterilization, you can soak the rock wool for a few hours in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. After soaking, place it on a baking sheet and bake it for about twenty minutes at 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). It will be safe to use after this process is complete.
Additionally, having clean hands and equipment can go a long way toward keeping your basil alive.
Get the pH level right
Water pH levels must be within a certain range to keep hydroponically grown basil alive. The optimal pH level for this type of basil is 5.8-6.2, which is slightly acidic.
Basil will not grow well in water with a pH level above 7 or below 6, so these values should be avoided. In addition, the water should be changed about twice a week to avoid the overgrowth of algae and other microorganisms that can harm the plants.
Provide adequate lighting
Biological organisms require light to drive the chemical reactions that sustain life. Plants, for example, use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugar. Without enough light, they won’t grow properly or produce a lot of food for animals.
To keep plants healthy, you need to provide adequate lighting. This means using a fluorescent bulb or LED with the appropriate spectrum of wavelengths to produce enough photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for optimal growth. The amount of light needed depends on the type of plant and its age; so be sure to ask your botanical expert about the specific needs of your particular species.
Give your plants the right amount of water
The general rule of thumb is to provide your plants with enough water so that the top of the soil stays moist. If you’re using a hydroponics system, you’ll need to monitor how much water your plants are using and be sure to replenish their supply as needed.
The best way to do this is to make sure they have an ample amount of oxygen available by placing them in a well-ventilated area and providing them with plenty of light. It’s also important not to overwater your plants because too much water will rot the roots and cause fungus growth. This can lead to root rot, which affects the entire plant, eventually killing it.
Add nutrients to the water
To keep hydroponic basil alive, it is important to add nutrients to the water. This will help the plant grow and produce more leaves. Many types of nutrients can be used such as fish emulsion or a liquid fertilizer but it is best to start with what is called a starter solution.
To make this type of nutrient mix, mix one gallon of water with one tablespoon of powdered kelp and one teaspoon of potassium sulfate. Let the mixture stand overnight before adding it to your pots or baskets.
Conclusion
While basil plants can be grown easily in soil, they can also be grown hydroponically. The key to successfully growing basil hydroponically is to understand its nutrient requirements, which differ significantly from those of other herbs that are commonly grown hydroponically (e.g., lettuce).
Basil’s nutrient requirements can be met with several different types of hydroponic media, but some media are better than others at maintaining the essential oils responsible for basil’s flavor and aroma.
