My basil leaves keep browning up on me. At first I thought they were too close to the light, so I placed them about 5 inches away from the flourescent lights. That seemed to help abit. Then I thought they were getting too much water; then not enough water! any advice?
saanansandy -
I'm glad you asked that question. I have that same problem when I try to overwinter a basil. Do your leaves end up totally brown and fall off? During the growing season, I put the pot outside and it does fine. Did you check for spider mites? I don't see any on mine but maybe they're hiding. Mine's getting sun out in the greenhouse through a double poly wall plus bubble wrap so I don't think it's the strength of the light. I can get some big temp fluctuations in the GH - range is 55 to 80 degrees - but I would think that's ok (maybe). I'm interested to see what responses you get.
Mine did that,I just gave it a hair cut.I don;t know if it was the right thing to do but the plant does seem happier.Edge
Cindy, that's exactly what the happens. The leaves just seem to brown and if you touch them they crumble. I did have a little black gnat problem but I haven't seen any in about a week or so.
I haven't been able to pinch them back for better branching because the only really good leaves are on the tips. My lemon/lime basil is in worse shape then my Italian.
Are you letting the stems get woody? (bad, must trim back constantly).
these are young plants that I started from seed in Jan.
I'm hoping to keep them alive until I can get them outside where hopefully they'll straighted out. I was going to set up the portable greenhouse on my south-facing porch but now there's 8 inches of snow out there w/ 25* for the high. So they'll have to wait abit longer.
I had a small fungus gnat problem but it's under control now with sticky traps. I didn't think they'd actually harm the plant though. And I did cut mine back a couple of weeks ago but I see that I've been bad per 2ndChance. Definitely mostly woody as this is it's second winter. Maybe time to grow a new one. And I'm waiting for lemon basil seeds to sprout indoors.
Saanansandy - I had a small portable greenhouse too. Usually went up in early March on my patio back in a protected corner. It would get nice and warm - even hot - in there during the day (ran a little clip-on fan in there) but I had to heat at night (portable electric space heater). It usually stayed in place until mid to late May (last avg frost May 20).
The gnats themselves don't hurt the plants, but I think their larvae in the soil can do some damage to the roots. But typically when you've got gnats it's because you're keeping things a little too wet, and the excess moisture can cause a lot more damage than the gnats and their larvae.
I'm setting up an oscillating fan in hopes that helps. Even if it doesn't help my basil, I think my other seedlings will be stronger w/ a slight breeze on them.
saanansandy -
My basil has been in my little cool GH all winter with a fan blowing 24/7 so I'm not sure if lack of air circulation is the problem with the basil. I do know that it did the same thing last winter but pulled through once the weather go warmer. I am a believer of seedlings getting stronger with a little breeze on them. Anything I can do to prepare them for the "outside" world is a good thing.
Thanks CindyM. The hardier the better. We are actually going to have above normal temps this weekend so I'm hoping to get the ball rolling on outside gardening chores. WooHoo!
Saanansandy -
It was almost 70 today and it's heading your way. Since I know I'm in for more snow before winter's done, I held off on yard cleanup today and spent time potting up seedlings in the little GH. I was sweating in there today in a tee shirt.
I did spray the basil plant with Pyola today just in case it is spider mites. The Pyola on mites isn't a sure thing but it should help some if it comes in contact with the mites. Normally I wouldn't spray during the growing season but I don't have any leaves on the plant worth harvesting right now anyway.
It's 44* right now and we're heading for a high of 58*. Yea! Sorry to hear you've got more snow in the future. I'm hoping this was the last of the big snowfalls. Most of it has melted off; gotta love that March sun.
I'm going to clean out the chicken coop this morn and get it composting for corn. Then I'm planning on setting up the greenhouse as long as I don't get sidetracked!
My lemon basil seeds have sprouted and I think I'm going to keep them in the house instead of moving them to the GH - maybe that'll help prevent the browning leaves. I'll just keep my table top grow lights up a little longer than normal to accommodate them. I potted up lemon grass seedlings yesterday and may keep them indoors under lights too since it might be a little cool for them in the GH. I have a 6 x 10 lean-to and I can tell it's already going to be crowded in there in another couple of weeks so I can justify keeping the indoor lights going a little longer.
lol, I know what you mean about the crowding. I'm going to short on room just in what's planted right now; I've got plently more coming.
I have an uncle that lives in LaGrange. He loves it out there; tried to get me to move out there when I was 19 but had a boyfriend(now my DH) so I never went out there.
I'm wondering if I'm not better off just taking the few green stems left on my basil and trying to root them rather than save the whole woody plant. I'm thinking I might end up with a healthier plant that way. Not that the leaves wouldn't still turn brown over winter but it is a 3 yo plant. Hate to spend $5 for a new basil plant (I'm cheap).
LaGrange, IL? Nice area. If I remember correctly, it's near Brookfield Zoo where we take our granddaughters.
Transplanted more babies today - Datura, Browallia, Canterbury Bells. No way am I going to have enough room on the GH shelves. I think the floor will be covered with flats before I'm done. Rainy and very windy today and the temps are supposed to drop to the teens at night later this week. Crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths starting to poke through though so spring can't be far behind.
That storm is over us today, high of 40(currently) and it's dropping as the day goes. We're supposed to have lows in the twenties but at least the daytime highs will be more average(mid 40's). Our daffidils on the southside are starting to poke up. :-)
Lol! I don't think there's ever enough room! Sounds like you're going to have a nice garden with those plants. I've thought about starting a cottage garden but I always seem to be filling up my space w/ the veggies and herbs.
I think that's a good idea w/ the basil. It roots easily in water so you'll have a fresh start w/ your basil. I'm frugal too!
