All About Barletta Floral Plant Seeds: Germination, Storage and Sowing

The Barletta floral plant is a beautiful and fragrant ornamental plant that produces delicate flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple Barletta seeds are relatively easy to germinate and grow into mature plants with proper care. This guide will provide key information on Barletta seed germination, proper storage, and sowing techniques to help you successfully grow these lovely flowers from seed.

An Overview of the Barletta Floral Plant

The Barletta floral plant (Ocimum basilicum ‘Barletta’) is a type of sweet basil cultivar that is prized for its dense, full flower heads and intense, spicy fragrance. Unlike traditional sweet basil, the Barletta variety produces flowers early and abundantly. The flower color ranges from white to light pink or purple.

In addition to being an ornamental plant, Barletta basil also has culinary uses. The leaves have a sweet, peppery taste that pairs well with vegetables, pasta, and meat dishes. When allowed to flower, Barletta basil will continue producing leaves but their flavor becomes milder.

Barletta basil grows best in warm conditions and thrives in full sun. The plants reach a mature size of 16-24 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide. Barletta grows well in containers and makes an excellent indoor houseplant. Outdoors, it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors as a perennial in colder climates.

Barletta Seed Germination Tips

Barletta seeds require some simple care to successfully sprout and grow into seedlings Here are some key tips for optimal germination

• Use fresh seeds – Barletta seeds typically maintain good viability for 2-3 years when properly stored. Older seeds may fail to germinate.

• Soak seeds for 24 hours – Before sowing, soak Barletta seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours to initiate germination.

• Sow at proper depth – Barletta seeds should be sown just 1/8 inch deep in seed starting mix or potting soil. Cover lightly with soil.

• Keep soil moist – Maintain consistent moisture in the top 1 inch of soil. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

• Give warmth – Barletta seeds germinate best with temperatures of 70-80°F. Consider using a seedling heat mat.

• Allow 14-21 days – Expect Barletta seeds to sprout within 2-3 weeks after sowing. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days in ideal conditions.

• Grow under lights – Once sprouted, provide 14-16 hours per day of bright light from grow lights or a sunny window.

Following these tips will give Barletta seeds the ideal conditions for sprouting and growing vigorously right from the start.

Storing Barletta Seeds Properly

To maintain good germination rates from season to season, Barletta seeds must be stored using proper methods. Here are some guidelines for ideal storage:

• Store seeds dry – Barletta seeds should be fully dry when stored. Allow freshly harvested seeds to dry for 1-2 weeks.

• Use air tight containers – Glass jars, plastic containers or even zipper bags work well to keep out moisture. Avoid paper envelopes.

• Store in cool location – The ideal storage temperature for Barletta seeds is between 50-70°F. The refrigerator is a good option.

• Prevent temperature fluctuations – Try to keep storage temperatures as consistent as possible. Avoid locates where temps vary widely.

• Keep seeds dark – Light degrades seeds, so a dark location like a closet or drawer is better than transparent containers.

• Use silica gel packs (optional) – These absorb moisture to keep seeds very dry for long term storage.

Stored properly under these cool, dark and dry conditions, Barletta seeds can retain good viability for 2-4 years.

Sowing Barletta Seeds for Healthy Seedlings

Once you have viable Barletta seeds ready to go, use the following tips for sowing them successfully:

Indoor Sowing

• Fill small containers with seed starting mix up to 1 inch from the rim. Water thoroughly.

• Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Cover lightly with soil.

• Maintain 70-80°F soil temperature with a heat mat if needed until sprouted.

• Keep seeds moist until they sprout. Water gently to avoid displacing seeds.

• Move to full sun location or under grow lights after sprouting.

Outdoor Sowing

• Sow seeds directly in prepared garden bed after danger of frost.

• Work compost into soil and rake smooth. Water deeply the day before sowing.

• Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 10-12 inches apart after soils warm to 70°F.

• Cover seeds lightly with fine soil and water gently. Don’t allow soil to dry out.

• Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart after 4-6 true leaves emerge.

Transplanting

• Harden off indoor seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors.

• Transplant after danger of frost into garden beds or containers.

• Space transplants 12 inches apart in areas with full sun.

• Water transplants daily for the first week to help establish roots.

Following proper germination, storage and sowing practices will help ensure success growing Barletta basil from seed. With its prolific flowers and intense fragrance, this ornamental basil is sure to be an eye-catching and aromatic addition to any garden.