Sweet basil leaf abnormality

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daisygrzincic Conneaut Lake, PA Jul 16, 2019

Hello. I was wondering if I could get some help. I woke up to find these spots covering alot of the leaves of my sweet basil plant. It's an outdoor plant. We've had an even mix of sunshine and rain. Lately I've started watering the herbs with a spray nozzle for 5 minutes straight on days we have no rain. I noticed the spots the morning after I watered the herbs the previous evening. I have a feeling I'm doing some gardening no nos. Does anyone know what these spots are and if or how I can save the plant? Thanks!

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Kell San Leandro, CA(Zone 9b) Jul 16, 2019

I do not know what is wrong but there is disease called basil downy mildew or basil blight.
https://www.thespruce.com/what-to-do-for-basil-downy-mildew-1762532

I would not water any plant, especially the leaves, in the evening. The leaves stay wet too long and you are inviting problems. Also, f you water the leaves in the hot sun, the leaves can get burnt.

I always pinched any buds off as soon as I saw them to promote more leaf growth to get a bigger and bushier plant. If you let it go to seed, the season is limited.

Post #10436248
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MaypopLaurel Cleveland,GA/Atlanta, GA(Zone 7b) Jul 16, 2019

It looks like sunscald from the water spray. Some argue this can't happen but I don't agree. Certain plants seem sensitive to refracted light. Try not to water when leaves are exposed to full sun.

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