@blinry
anyway, it is a myth that young plants have everything to start inside, that depends! many small seeds (basil, thyme etc) need sunlight and constant moisture on the surface to sprout at all.
Once sprouted, they do need nutrients quickly!
The trick, why in the baby soil with minimal nutrients is needed is to "force" the little plants to seek for nutrients, therefore developing stronger roots!
@nastja @blinry Yeah for sprouting, I grow them until about this stage or a little later, then I shave them off the mesh with a knife. Nice in salads. You can also pull them and then snip the roots that were sitting in the water, but shaving is easier (you have to have a sharp knife, though). Since they have gel seeds they're also nice in salad dressing, and if you've ever had chia seed drinks and you like the texture, basil seeds in lemonade is really nice!