Characteristics and description of the Opal basil variety and reviews of those who grew it
Opal Basil is unusual and attractive. It is grown outdoors in the garden, in containers or pots on the windowsill. It has an intense aroma, and its pink flowers combined with purple leaves add beauty to the plant. It's easy to look after him. In addition to cooking, it is also used in other areas.
The content of the article
Basil variety Opal
All basil varieties are different from each other. They have different leaf color, bush height, flowers, aroma and taste. Depending on the variety, the plant needs some care.
History of origin and distribution
Opal, a vegetable basil variety, was developed by American scientists John Skarchuk and Joseph Lente at the University of Connecticut in the 1950s.
Other variety names: Purple, Dark Opal, purple basil. It is widespread in the Caucasus, Central and Asia Minor. In 1962, Opal won the All-American Prize.
Included in the state register of the Russian Federation in 2015 for growing on private farms.
Differences from other varieties
The culture is annual. The height of the bush ranges from 40 to 60 cm. The plant is branched, has many large ovoid leaves, dark purple in color with a purple tint. The flowers are bright crimson.
The variety is mid-season - 55-60 days pass from the first shoots to maturity. The yield of greens is 1.1-1.2 kg per 1 sq. m.
Purple basil is grown not only in the open field, but also on the windowsill. Thanks to the unusual color of leaves and beautiful flowers, it decorates the room, it is used to decorate flower beds in the garden.
Feature and Description
Opal differs from other types of vegetable basil. It is more spicy and fragrant. Its peppery aroma is strong and persistent. The variety is recommended to be used fresh and dried as a flavoring additive in home cooking and canning.
Features of the chemical composition
Opal belongs to the purple varieties, it contains essential oils and ascorbic acid. In addition, the plant contains the following useful substances:
- B vitamins: thiamine, folic acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine;
- beta carotene, vitamin A;
- vitamin K;
- rutin, which improves blood quality and vascular health;
- flavonoids that prevent aging and help the body absorb vitamins;
- essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the skin and blood vessels.
In the spring, essential oils predominate in the composition of Opal basil, and at the time of flowering, ascorbic acid.
Persistence
In general, the variety is resistant to disease. Pests are frightened off by its pungent smell. Only occasionally is it attacked by a spider mite and aphid.
To prevent the plant from getting sick with fungal diseases, it is important to avoid over-watering. It is necessary to alkalize the soil in a timely manner, but it is better to plant it in a well-ventilated place and regularly loosen the ground.
Taste and aroma qualities
Basil Opal gives off a distinct peppery aroma with hints of cloves. The taste of the plant is very pleasant, sharp.
Interesting! Essential oils from purple basil leaves are used even in perfumery.
Application area
In cooking, the stems and leaves of the plant are used as a spice. They are consumed both fresh and dried.Opal is added to vinegar, sauces and aromatic oils, and tea is brewed.
Basil is used even for medicinal purposes to prevent diseases of the digestive system and strengthen the immune system. It warms the body, gently calms the nervous system and relieves muscle spasms.
Reference. Chewing basil leaves relieves nausea and flatulence.
Basil Opal as an antibacterial agent helps fight acne and treats insect bites. To do this, the leaves are crushed and the gruel is diluted with water.
To decorate the interior, basil Opal is planted in pots and placed on the windowsill.
Advantages and disadvantages
Opal basil has the following benefits:
- useful properties of not only leaves, but also plant stems;
- decoration for the interior of the house and garden;
- a source of ascorbic acid and essential oils;
- repels insects with its pungent smell;
- tomatoes next to this type of basil grow faster.
Among the disadvantages are the following:
- slow maturation;
- during flowering, the taste of the leaves is bitter;
- grows poorly in low-light cool places;
- an annual plant.
Growing technology
Like other crops, basil has a special cultivation technology.
Optimal conditions
Basil Opal is an undemanding plant. It is better to plant it on the sunny side. He loves warm earth. Before planting, the soil is loosened well, compost or humus, as well as peat, are added to it. The optimum temperature for growing basil is not lower than + 18 ° C.
Terms and rules of landing
Opal is a mid-season variety. The crop is harvested 55-60 days after germination. Already on the 7-10th day, the first shoots appear.
It is recommended to plant the plant in a partially sunny place. During germination, make sure that the soil always remains moist, but also prevent stagnation of water. The earth is allowed to dry out, and as soon as it becomes dry, it is immediately watered. The plant will die from excessive moisture.
As the basil grows, it needs a sunnier spot. The plant is propagated by cuttings: the tops of the plants that have grown up to 20 cm are cut off, planted in a deep plastic container, watered and covered with a lid or polyethylene. This mimics greenhouse conditions. After two weeks, the plant takes root and becomes 3-4 cm taller. Cutting replaces sowing with seeds. This way the basil grows faster.
Since Opal grows more slowly than other varieties of basil, pruning begins when it grows slightly in height and has the first three leaves. First, the top leaves are pruned or pinched to stimulate the development of new side branches. The crop is often cut. This promotes plant growth and lush bush formation.
Attention! If you are growing purple basil for decoration, do not eat the leaves during flowering - they become bitter during this period.
Further care
Opal blooms a little later than other varieties - in the middle or late summer. Pinch the flower stalks if you plan to use basil for culinary or medicinal purposes.
The basil is not watered liberally as soon as the ground is slightly dry. On average, in the absence of rain, they are watered no more than twice a week. For irrigation, use settled water at room temperature.
As weeds appear in the open field, they are removed and the soil is loosened, saturating it with oxygen.
The plant is fed at the initial stage of growth and during the flowering period.
Suitable fertilizers:
- "Nitrofoska" (2 tbsp. L. The drug is stirred in 10 l of water and watered at the rate of 5 l per 1 sq. M);
- superphosphate (15 g per 1 sq. m);
- ammonium nitrate (about 20 g per 1 sq. m).
Possible problems, diseases, pests
Basil is affected by the following diseases:
- black leg (fungal disease, from which the stem turns black, the plant does not eat well, turns yellow and dies);
- fusarium (a fungal disease that poison the bush with toxins, from which the plant dies);
- gray rot (fungus in the form of spots that infects the plant from the bottom up, the disease starts from the leaves and leads to death).
Basil is rarely attacked by aphids.
To avoid spreading the blackleg throughout the entire area, the infected plant is dug up and burned. The place where it grew is disinfected with formalin or potassium permanganate solution. "Fitosporin" and "Topaz" have proven themselves well in treatment. Other chemicals do not work well.
Spraying the diseased basil with infusion of onion peels helps with fusarium and gray rot. The husk is poured with boiling water at the rate of 1: 4 and insisted in a dark and warm place. After a day, the infusion is ready. Filter it before use.
In order to prevent gray rot, basil is planted annually in a new place. Before cultivation, its seeds are kept in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
If basil has been attacked by aphids, use karbofos (30 g per 5 l of water) or "Acarin" (8 ml per 1 l of water).
Read also:
When to harvest and how to dry basil properly.
Plant compatibility: what to plant next to basil and why it is important.
How to properly freeze basil for the winter: a selection of the best ways.
Features of growing by seeds, seedlings
Basil Opal is grown both by seeds and seedlings. The cultivation technology is similar to other varieties of basil.
Seed plant grows longer... Seedlings get the harvest faster and long before planting in the ground. Seedling cultivation begins at the end of March. Sowing depth - no more than 1 cm. Temperature at the time of entry germination - not lower than + 25 ° С.
After 10 days, the first shoots appear. They are allowed to grow about 4 cm up, after which they pinch the top.
In the ground, greenhouse and at home
In the seedling method, the basil is planted first in a greenhouse, where it gets used to a different temperature and soil. At this stage, you will need top dressing (for 1 liter of water, 1 teaspoon of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers).
When the outside temperature stabilizes at + 18 ° C and above, the plant is planted in open ground. The first time they water it often so that the basil takes root.
At home, Opal is grown from seeds. Fertilizers are not required if the land was originally purchased from a specialty garden store. All the necessary trace elements are usually added to such a soil.
Read also:
Is it possible to plant basil before winter and how to do it
Reviews of summer residents
Many gardeners prefer the purple basil.
Natalia, Togliatti: “I love basil very much. Once I read reviews about the Dark Opal Basilica, looked at the photo and now I bought seeds and planted them. It just has a stunning scent! If you follow the planting rules described on the package, the harvest would probably be great. I missed the moment of planting seedlings in early spring, so I planted the seeds right away in my area. There were 100 seeds in the package, of which only 10 hatched. Next time I will sow more and better by seedling. Of the advantages, I will emphasize its uniquely bright smell and pleasant soft taste. Of the shortcomings, I note that basil grows worse in the open field. "
Olga, Izhevsk: "I like purple basil for its look. A strong aroma emanates from the leaves. It blooms for only one season. I germinate the seeds first in March or early April in pots. I usually put it on the window. In the spring I put them in a greenhouse. This basil is decorative and melliferous. Wasps and bees flock to him. We use it fresh or add it to the main courses. "
Nina, Otradny:“I have been growing the Opal variety for several years. At home I plant with seeds, and in the country with seedlings. I noticed a couple of points. I often have only a small part of all the bushes purple, the rest for some reason remain green. My friends have the same story. Seedlings take root well only in a greenhouse. The bushes grow lush.Basil grows poorly on open soil.
Conclusion
Basil Opal has edible leaves and stems. They are consumed fresh, dried and canned. In cooking, they are well suited for sauces, side dishes and first courses, for flavoring vinegar and tea. Due to the large amount of ascorbic acid and essential oils, the plant is used in folk medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
Basil is unpretentious in leaving. The main thing is to observe moderate watering and keep the plant in a warm place. The crop grows best in a greenhouse.