Basil Ocimum Pesto Perpetuo is an annual herb commonly grown for culinary and ornamental use. This variety offers boldly aromatic green and white leaves with a lemony, traditional basil flavor. The ornamental foliage excels in pesto, meats, sauces, soups, salads, and garnishing. This plant has an upright habit of 14-18" tall and 24-30" wide, flourishing in a sunny container, landscape border, or herb garden. Basil's low-maintenance foliage brings ornamental interest to the landscape, a wealth of culinary applications in the kitchen, and is a perfect companion to tomatoes and peppers in the vegetable garden. Try Ocimum Minette for a compact variety.
Basil Ocimum Pesto Perpetuo Selling Tips
Sell Basil Ocimum Pesto Perpetuo to customers looking for low-maintenance foliage for an annual landscape border or basil to add to the herb or vegetable garden. This cultivar is well-suited to containers, and particularly good for culinary applications. Basil repels flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and mites in the garden and is 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 24-30" 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.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Basil Ocimum Pesto Perpetuo, plant one rooted 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
This cultivar doesn't flower.
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.
Planting Basil Ocimum Pesto Perpetuo Liners
We recommend planting one rooted liner 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.
Herb Basil Ocimum Pesto Perpetuo Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | - Weeks |
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| 10 Inch crop time | - Weeks |
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| Habit | Upright |
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| Height | 14-18 Inches |
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| Light | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 55 |
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| Perennial Zone | - |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | Yes |
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