How to properly grow Rubin Cairo basil: planting and care step by step for beginners

Basil Rubin Cairo is appreciated by lovers of fresh herbs. They note its taste and aroma qualities, rich chemical composition, as well as the possibility of wide use in cooking. They harvest from bushes grown both in open ground and in an indoor pot on the windowsill of a city apartment. However, before sowing, it is important to familiarize yourself with the nuances of planting and care.

What type of basil is this?

Ruby Cairo - perennial early variety short basilica.

History of origin and distribution

Basil originally appeared in India and Thailand., where it received the status of a sacred plant as the embodiment of the goddess Lakshmi. It is very popular in Italy - basil is added to many national dishes.

The homeland of the Cairo Ruby variety is Ukraine.. It became widespread in Moldova, after which it began to be planted more and more often in Russia. Cairo ruby ​​can be grown not only in open ground, but also in greenhouses and pots on the windowsill, so there are no restrictions in growing regions.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the main advantages noted:

• possibility of growing in open ground and at home;
• versatility of use;
• good yield indicators - 1-1.5 kg per 1 sq. m;
• resistance to pests.

The disadvantages include:

• intolerance to low temperatures;
• the need to monitor flowering so that the taste of the leaves does not deteriorate.

Differences from other varieties

Rubin Cairo has several featuresthat distinguish it from other varieties:

• stabilized leaf color - purple color does not have green or yellow inclusions;
• often used as an ornamental plant, grown in flower beds and flowerpots;
• versatility of use due to its excellent taste - it is consumed both fresh and after heat treatment.

Characteristics and description

It has purple leaves. On average it grows from 25 to 30 cm. The leaves are 3-4 cm in size, smooth and glossy, with a serrated edge and light veins. Inflorescences are red-violet.

Features of the chemical composition

The variety has a rich chemical composition, due to which it has a beneficial effect on the human body. It stimulates appetite and strengthens the nervous system, relieves stomach cramps, helps normalize digestion and has a diuretic and disinfectant effect.

100 g of basil contains:

• vitamin K (phylloquinone) – 887.2% daily value;
• beta-carotene – 62.8%;
• lutein – 56.7%;
• folic acid – 47.3%;
• vitamin C – 25.7%;
• pantothenic acid – 10.5%;
• omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids – 32%;
• phytosterols – 47.3% with a predominance of beta-sitosterol – 37.5%;
• galactose – 38.6%.

Variety does not contain sucrose and starch.

Cairo Ruby contains the following minerals:

• iron – 21.1%;
• calcium – 16.1%;
• magnesium – 16%;
• potassium – 11.8%;
• silicon – 15.3%;
• copper – 39%.

Per 100 g of fresh product there are 1% fat, 3% protein and 5% carbohydrates. Energy value – 23 kcal.

Sustainability

Cairo ruby ​​is a heat-loving plant, does not tolerate low temperatures well. It loves moisture very much, so the leaves should be irrigated regularly, while avoiding stagnation of water at the roots.

Thanks to its strong aroma, it is not afraid of pests - the smell repels insects. Cairo Ruby most often gets sick due to lack of moisture (in this case, the leaves become hard) or depleted soil, so it is recommended to replant the bushes every 2-3 years.

Taste and aroma qualities

Cairo ruby ​​is classified as a spicy variety. When heat treated, the leaves develop distinct peppery notes. Freshly picked basil has a rich aroma and is difficult to confuse with another plant.

Range of application of the variety

The variety is added as a dressing to meat and fish, used in marinades. Some people note peppery notes in the leaves and use them in drinks. Basil goes well with fresh vegetables.

Growing technology

Ruby of Cairo grown through seedlings. This allows you to achieve maximum yields and get strong, healthy bushes.

Optimal conditions

The area should be bright, but protected from direct sunlight – the summer sun can burn the leaves and the plant will die. The optimal temperature for planting is from +18°C. You should avoid places where water stagnates - in this case, the basil roots will quickly rot.

Landing dates and rules

Since basil does not like low temperatures, it recommended to plant at the end of May - beginning of June. 2 months before planting in the ground, seeds for seedlings are sown. Use store-bought planting material or seeds collected in the previous year.

For emergence of seedlings requires a certain temperature – +20°С…+25°C.

Procedure:

1. Prepare a disposable container with drainage holes.
2. Fill the container with soil.
3. Distribute the seeds at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other, not burying them in the ground, but lightly pressing them with a stick.
4. Moisten the soil and move the container to a well-lit place.
5. After the sprouts appear and 2 leaves form on them, they are transplanted into small 5x5 cm pots.
6. Regularly irrigate the seedlings and do not allow the soil to dry out too much.
7. In open ground The plant is transferred when the threat of frost has passed.

Further care

Care It's not difficult to get the Cairo Ruby. It is enough to follow simple rules:

1. The bushes are regularly irrigated using a watering can or sprayer. The soil should always be slightly moist. Watering plants in open ground is done at least once a day, in the morning. In extreme heat, the leaves are moistened in the evening using a spray bottle. Household bushes are irrigated daily in spring and autumn, and in the summer - in the morning and evening. In winter, one watering every 2-3 days is enough. If there is a heating source nearby, you need to place a humidifier or a bowl of water next to the pot.
2. Cairo ruby ​​needs regular feeding, which is best done during watering once every 2 weeks. Add 1 tsp to 1 liter of water. ash. Separately, you can use universal fertilizers for greenery or humus.
3. Loosen the soil every 2-3 days, touching 2-3 cm of the top layer. Thanks to this, moisture evaporates less and the soil is saturated with oxygen.
4. The harvest is being collected from the end of July to the beginning of September.

The buds are picked before they bloomso that the leaves do not lose their taste.

Possible problems, diseases, pests

Rubin Cairo susceptible to fungal and viral infections only when weakened. The leaves contain a large amount of organic acids that limit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

The specific aroma repels insects, and essential oils, included in Rubin Cairo, make the leaves unattractive to pests.

With increased acidity of the soil, its hardening and too much watering blackleg may develop. The affected plant is dug up and burned, and the soil is treated with manganese or formaldehyde.

Features of growing seedlings

The variety is best propagated using seedlings.

At home

At home You can plant Cairo Ruby at any time of the year.. To do this, choose a south window. If planting is done in autumn or winter, the plant will need additional lighting with a lamp. Homemade basil is regularly fertilized with specialized mixtures and every 2 years it is transplanted into another pot with a complete replacement of the soil.

In the greenhouse

To the greenhouse Basil is planted in early spring, also organizing additional lighting and maintaining a constant temperature of +18°C...+20°C.

In the open ground

When choosing a place for seedlings take into account nearest neighbors. Shady trees and shrubs are not suitable. They will suppress the planting, and the basil will quickly wither. It is also worth avoiding proximity to crops that quickly deplete the soil and require a lot of moisture.

Reviews from summer residents

Gardeners note the high taste qualities of the variety, as well as its resistance to diseases and pests.

Liya Torokhova, Krasnodar region: “I have been growing Cairo rubies at home for several years now. I use it in salads and when baking meat or fish. The variety is unpretentious and, with sufficient watering, allows you to harvest regularly. The pot is on the south side of the house, but in winter, without a lamp, the plant begins to wither, so I additionally illuminate it 3-4 hours a day.”.

Anastasia Ivanova, Rostov region: “This variety appeared in my garden 3 years ago. I didn’t suffer from any diseases; last year I moved the bushes to another area, and the basil quickly recovered. The climate allows you to plant the Cairo Ruby as early as late April - early May. A friend has this variety growing in her flowerbed, diluting the greenery of the flowers.”.

Conclusion

Cairo ruby ​​is versatile in use, good for health and pleasing to the eye with the beautiful purple hue of its leaves. A huge advantage is the ability to grow at home on a windowsill. If you follow the watering rules and provide the plant with enough light, you can get a rich harvest for a long time.