Giant Genovese basil is one of the best-known Italian basil varieties, with large, broad and thick leaves in a bright green color and a strong aroma. Suitable for fresh use and cooking, it is widely used in kitchens and restaurants. Its vigorous growth and steady production make it an excellent choice for home and commercial growing in Saudi Arabia.
Key Features
- Large, broad, high-quality leaves.
- Strong aroma and distinctive flavor preferred for cooking.
- Vigorous, fast growth with steady yield.
- Suitable for open fields and greenhouses.
- Tolerates repeated cutting and regrowth.
- High-quality seed with high germination.
Specifications
- Trade name: Giant Genovese basil seeds
- Crop: Basil
- Net weight: 3 g
- Germination: 85%
- Purity: 97%
- Seed treatment: Fungicide (fludioxonil)
- Country of origin: Italy
- Packed in: Spain
Planting Directions
- Sow basil seeds directly in the soil or in seedling trays at a shallow depth of 0.5–1 cm.
- After germination, thin the plants or transplant them to the permanent site at suitable spacing (about 20 cm between plants and 70 cm between rows).
- Irrigate regularly without waterlogging, in well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
- Pinch the growing tips to encourage branching and increase yield.
Planting Season
- Temperate regions: from spring to early summer.
- Warm regions of Saudi Arabia: from late winter to spring; can be grown year-round in greenhouses.
Harvest
- Harvest starts once vegetative growth is complete; cut leaves or shoots when they reach a suitable size.
- Harvest can be repeated several times while keeping the plant growing.
Orkida Tip
- For large, aromatic basil leaves, grow in a sunny spot with regular but not excessive watering, use a balanced nitrogen-rich fertilizer to boost leafy growth, and keep cutting to prevent early flowering and maintain leaf quality.