Ruku-ruku-also known as Ocimum tenuiflorum, holy basil, or tulsi-is a beautiful plant that is often used as a medicinal plant to treat a variety of ailments, from headaches to cancer. This plant is easy to grow and very easy to care for, from seed or by placing it in water until it takes root. You can grow them in pots indoors or in an ornamental garden or vegetable garden outside.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Growing Ruku from Seed
Step 1. Fill the flower pot with high-quality soil, then water it thoroughly
Leave about 2.5 cm of space at the top of the pot. Add enough water to make the soil wet, but not too much as you don't want the soil to become too muddy.
Even if you plan to plant the rhizomes outside, it is best to start sowing them indoors before transplanting them into beds in the garden
Step 2. Sow the seeds 0.5 cm deep below the soil
Since the seeds are so small, just sprinkle them on top of the soil and then press them down with your finger or a gardening shovel.
Step 3. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate
Seeds will start growing in 1-2 weeks. Since the seeds are very soft, use a spray bottle to lightly moisten the surface of the soil. If you pour water into the pot, do so slowly so as not to disturb the seeds.
Cover the surface of the pot with plastic wrap to help retain moisture. However, you should still check the soil and add water if necessary
Step 4. Place the bows near a warm, bright window
Plants need 6-8 hours of light per day and a minimum temperature of 21 °C. Place the pot in a place that is exposed to a lot of indirect sunlight.
Do not place the plant near an open window or door if it gets cooler at night
Method 2 of 3: Helping the Ruku Take Root in Water
Step 1. Cut 10-15 cm long stems from mature plants
Cut just below a pair of leaves. Pick all the leaves that are at the bottom of the stem cuttings. Bald the stem along the bottom 5 cm.
- When cutting stems, choose those that have not flowered. You can cut off those that have flowered, but the stems will have a harder time taking root and this will make it harder for the plant to grow later.
- Dip the cut end of the stem in root hormone to speed up the growth process. Root hormone can be purchased at your local nursery or plant store.
Step 2. Put the cuttings of ruku-ruku into a glass container filled with water
Use a clear glass or mason jar and fill it with enough water to cover the bottom of the stem. You can put more than 1 stick in the container, but don't overcrowd it.
Change the water every day to prevent the stems from rotting due to bacterial overgrowth
Step 3. Place the bows in a warm and bright place
Choose a window sill or table that will expose the plant to 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight.
Step 4. Transfer the plant cuttings to the soil in the pot once the roots begin to grow
Ruku-ruku stem cuttings are ready to be transplanted into the soil after the roots grow 0.5–1 cm long. It takes about 7 to 10 days to reach this stage.
- If there are several stems in one container, separate them carefully so that the fragile roots do not break.
- Leave the bows in the pot for 2-3 weeks before moving outdoors, if you prefer.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for the Ruku
Step 1. Water the bows when the top layer of soil feels dry
Check the plant at least twice a week to see if it's time to water. If the top layer of soil is dry, water it.
The frequency of watering plants will vary, depending on temperature and climate
Step 2. Fertilize the bows once a month
Use liquid fertilizer or organic compost, such as cow dung, to maintain a steady supply of nutrients in the soil. Giving fertilizer once a month will help plants to continue to thrive.
Step 3. Prune the tops of the plant weekly to stimulate growth
Once the bows have 3 pairs of leaves on each stem-1 on the top and 2 on the sides-you can start pruning the plant. Cut the top pair of leaves, just above the bottom 2 pairs of leaves.
Pruning will help the bows grow faster and grow thicker branches
Step 4. Remove the bows once the plant has grown larger than its pot
If the roots have started to grow out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, it's time to move the bows into a larger container. You may need to move it several times, depending on the size of the pot you used to start with.
- Remember, the ruku-ruku plant can grow to a height of 1 meter. So make sure you plan for this when transplanting it into a larger pot or into the garden.
- You can transplant the rhizomes into the garden about 6-8 weeks after sowing. Make sure the air temperature outside is at least 21 °C.
