Basil Herb Garden DWC Recipe

Fertilizer ingredients:

1. 8 ml/gal FloraMicro by General Hydroponics. Concentration: 5-0-1. Notes: Always add to water first

2. 8 ml/gal FloraGro by General Hydroponics. Concentration: 2-1-6. Notes: Primary growth driver for basil — maintain strong nitrogen levels

3. 5 ml/gal FloraBloom by General Hydroponics. Concentration: 0-5-4. Notes: Provides potassium and trace elements; keep lower than FloraGro for leafy growth

4. 3 ml/gal CALiMAGic by General Hydroponics. Concentration: 1-0-0 (Ca 5%, Mg 1.5%). Notes: Supports essential oil production and cell wall strength

5. 2 ml/gal Hydroguard by Botanicare. Concentration: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Notes: Root zone protection for warm DWC environments

Mixing instructions:

Step 1: Start Basil Seeds or Clones. Soak rockwool cubes in pH 5.5 water for 30 minutes. Place 2-3 basil seeds per cube and lightly press into the surface — basil seeds need light to germinate. Place under humidity dome at 70-75°F with gentle light. Seeds germinate in 5-7 days. Alternatively, take 4-inch cuttings from a healthy basil plant, dip in rooting hormone, and place in rockwool. Duration: 7-10 days. Tips: Basil seeds are tiny — don't bury them, just press gently into the rockwool surface Clones root faster (7-10 days) and give you an exact genetic copy Keep humidity high (90%+) during germination and reduce gradually after sprouting

Step 2: Set Up DWC System. Fill a 5-gallon DWC bucket with RO or filtered water. Install an air stone connected to an air pump (minimum 4 watts per gallon). Mix nutrients to seedling strength (EC 0.8-1.0 mS/cm). Adjust pH to 5.8. Place a 3-inch net pot with clay pebbles in the lid. Ensure water level reaches the bottom of the net pot. Duration: 30 minutes. Tips: Basil roots are delicate — ensure vigorous air stone activity for dissolved oxygen A single 5-gallon bucket can support 1-3 basil plants Black or opaque buckets prevent algae growth from light exposure

Step 3: Transplant and Establish in DWC. When seedlings have 2-3 sets of true leaves (about 3 inches tall), transplant rockwool cube into the net pot surrounded by clay pebbles. The water level should just touch the bottom of the net pot. Roots will grow down into the aerated solution within 3-5 days. Increase light to 300 PPFD. Duration: 15 minutes. Tips: Don't pull or disturb roots during transplant — handle by the rockwool cube only If roots haven't reached the solution after 3 days, raise the water level temporarily Reduce humidity dome gradually over 2-3 days to harden off seedlings

Step 4: Increase Nutrients to Full Vegetative Strength. One week after transplant, increase nutrient solution to full vegetative strength (EC 1.2-1.6 mS/cm). Basil is a moderate feeder — the Flora series at 8-8-5 (Micro-Gro-Bloom) provides an ideal nitrogen-heavy ratio for leafy growth. Add CALiMAGic at 3 ml/gal. Perform full reservoir changes every 7 days. Duration: Ongoing. Tips: Basil responds quickly to nitrogen — pale leaves mean it needs more, dark green with curling means too much Monitor EC daily — basil in DWC can drink heavily in warm conditions If you see white salt deposits on clay pebbles, flush with plain pH water

Step 5: Prune and Harvest for Maximum Bushiness. Begin harvesting once the plant has 3 sets of mature leaves. Always cut above a node (the point where two leaves meet the stem) — two new branches will grow from each cut. Pinch off any flower spikes immediately, as flowering triggers a hormone shift that makes leaves bitter and reduces growth. Harvest 1/3 of the plant at a time for continuous production. Duration: Ongoing from week 3. Tips: Harvest in the morning when essential oil content is highest The more you prune, the bushier and more productive the plant becomes If flowers appear, the plant is stressed — check light duration (needs 16+ hours) and nutrient levels

Weekly schedule:

Week 1: Start seeds in rockwool or prepare clones Set up DWC system and test air stone Mix seedling nutrient solution Maintain humidity dome Notes: EC 0.5-0.8 mS/cm. Seeds take 5-7 days to germinate. Keep warm and moist.

Week 2: Transplant strongest seedlings to DWC Increase light to 250 PPFD Monitor root growth into reservoir Begin increasing nutrient strength Notes: EC 0.8-1.0 mS/cm. Roots should reach nutrient solution within 3-5 days.

Week 3: Increase to full vegetative nutrients Begin topping plants above 3rd node Full reservoir change Monitor for pests Notes: EC 1.2-1.4 mS/cm. First topping encourages branching.

Week 4: Continue pruning for bushiness First harvest of outer/upper leaves Maintain nutrient levels Pinch any emerging flower buds Notes: EC 1.2-1.6 mS/cm. Plant should be visibly bushy from topping.

Week 5: Regular harvest schedule (2x per week) Continue pinching flowers Full reservoir change Check root health Notes: EC 1.4-1.6 mS/cm. Peak production — harvest regularly to maintain growth.

Week 6: Maintain harvest and pruning routine Monitor for any nutrient deficiencies Refresh solution Plan successive plantings for continuous supply Notes: EC 1.4-1.6 mS/cm. Ongoing production continues for months with proper care.

Nutrient stages in ppm:

seedling: N 60, P 20, K 50.

vegetative: N 160, P 40, K 130.

flowering: N 120, P 50, K 140.

fruiting: N 100, P 40, K 130.