Basil Dark Opal is an annual herb native to India, commonly grown for culinary and ornamental use. This variety offers large, dark purple leaves with an upright habit of 16-18" tall and wide and edible flowers. This plant flourishes in sunny containers, landscape borders, or vegetable gardens with full sun and regular water. Basil brings attractive foliage to the landscape, a wealth of culinary applications in the kitchen, and is a perfect companion to tomatoes and peppers in the vegetable garden. This ornamental variety creates contrast in the landscape and cut flower bouquets. For a traditional Genovese Basil, try growing Basil Elidia.
Basil Dark Opal Selling Tips
Sell Basil Dark Opal to customers looking for low-maintenance foliage for an annual landscape border or basil to add to the herb or vegetable garden. This cultivar brings unique foliage and flowers to any ornamental garden and repels flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and mites in the garden, making an excellent companion plant for tomatoes and peppers. Attractive foliage works well for ornamental use in borders, flourishing in full sun or partial shade with minimal maintenance and regular water. Use basil as a garnish or to add flavor to sauces, meats, soups, pesto, and salads. Grow this herb alongside Chamomile, Oregano, and Chives for increased flavor.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 15-20" apart in well-drained soil in full sun.
2. Water plants regularly and avoid getting the foliage wet.
3. For culinary use: store freshly picked stems in a glass of water at room temperature for a few days. For long-term storage, freeze entire stems or thoroughly wash leaves and dry them with a dehydrator, or in the oven at about 110-125 degrees, or by hanging small bunches upside down in a paper bag in a cool, dry area with good airflow.
4. Basil leaves will become bitter if the plant flowers. Pinch flowers off to encourage continued usable foliage growth. Allow flowers to grow and attract pollinators if the plant is ornamental in your landscape. This variety has edible flowers, excellent for garnish.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
For best results with Basil Dark Opal, plant one seedling plug per 4-inch container in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5, temperatures between 55-70, and light feed (50-75 ppm N). This plant isn't prone to pests but can develop downy mildew in cool, wet conditions. Pinch to encourage dense, bushy growth.
Flowering
Small white flowers bloom in late summer. Pinch these off for continued culinary use of the leaves, or allow them to bloom in ornamental landscape applications. This variety has edible flowers.
Pinching
Pinch stems to encourage dense, bushy growth.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base of each plant.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs. We don't recommend using chemicals on herbs.
Pests
This plant isn't prone to pests and will repel mosquitoes, flies, aphids, and mites in the landscape.
Disease
This plant isn't prone to disease. Downy mildew and root rot can develop in wet, humid conditions, especially during cool temperatures. Take these preventative steps:
1. Practice good sanitization in your greenhouse to prevent the spread of disease in soil.
2. Water at the base of each plant in the morning, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
3. Provide good airflow in your greenhouse. We recommend using horizontal airflow fans.
4. Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight around the base of each plant.
Downy Mildew is a disease caused by Peronospora sparsa, a fungus-like organism that causes white or gray growth on foliage undersides and yellowing of the leaf surface. Use proper sanitization, ventilation, and humidity control. Remove infected plants and debris to control the spread. Don't use overhead irrigation, and apply a fungicide if needed. Azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, mancozeb, and fenamidone are effective in a rotation against a severe outbreak of Downy Mildew.
Root Rot occurs in poorly drained or overly wet soil, which becomes the host for several types of fungi. It causes stunted growth, wilting, and root system decay. Prevention is the best treatment, and you will avoid most root rot problems by using clean, well-draining media, appropriate containers, and good watering practices for finishing seedling plugs. Inspect plants for signs of disease regularly. Repot infected plants in well-draining soil, adjust your watering schedule, provide better airflow, and use a fungicide if needed.
Planting Basil Dark Opal Liners
We recommend planting one seedling plug per 4-inch container. Use a well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the center of the container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Basil Dark Opal Quick Reference Guide
Tray Size: 288
4 Inch crop time
| 4-5 Weeks
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| Bloom Period | Summer |
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| Habit | Mounding, Upright |
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| Height | 16-18 Inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 50 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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