I put out about 6 seeds of Purple Basil and 2 plants sprouted. One died fairly quickly. This one survived and grew a few inches, but has been this same size for over a month. Any ideas what's wrong with it? ~~~ Carol
What's wrong with my Purple basil?
It looks like it's planted in a pretty dry spot... Basil is not one of the more drought-tolerant herbs. Maybe it's getting too much sun and/or not enough water?
I water it sometimes everyday.
Hmmm, if it's not too dry, then I am stumped. Maybe one of our southern herb gardners can advise you... I know I've heard that some herbs in TX do better with a little shade...
You might try starting some more seeds for a container planting of basil. Potting it up would make it easier to monitor watering, try different locations with respect to sun/shade, etc. You'll find the perfect spot for basil in your yard.... eventually!
I hope somebody from "down South" will have a suggestion or two...
One thing I'm wondering (talking about dry and watering). Although I water many times daily, the ground top is hard. I wonder if it is hindering the water soaking well where I want it. OR If the hard top layer is hindering the growth in some other way. When the seeds sprouted I had just worked the ground and it was really nice. Over the days and weeks I watered is when the top layer of soil has become hard.
That could very well be the problem. Try loosening the soil around it and water deeply. Put some mulch around the plant. Mulch helps to keep the soil moist and free of weeds while adding nutrients to the soil. This is also not the time of year for a lot of growth. Plants go into a rest period when the days grow shorter just like trees do. Basil will freeze but seeds are easy to come by. I like to grow some indoors in the winter but growth is slow with out a grow light.
Dee
I checked the growing temps before planting and the information states that it will grow until a freeze. I'll try loosening and mulching.
BTW, 7 days later it looks the absolute same. (have not been below 45 at night and up in the mid to high 80s during the day)
I know nothing about gardening down South, but I know that our purple basil up here definitely slows down when it gets down to 45 at night. Our basil in general doesn't grow well if it goes below 50 or 55. It definitely prefers being warm.