Why did my dill die? Is my lemon basil next?

lssfishhunter Jonesville, SC(Zone 7b) Apr 01, 2009

I tried seeding dill and basil this year for the first time. It came up real well and was about 8 inches tall and I was keeping it under the grow lights from germination. One day I noticed a little brown at the top of one of the containers. The next day both containers were dead. I keep the temperature 50-60 all day and night. The dill was watered well but not soggy (I don't think). I am afraid the same thing is about to happen to my lemon basil as well because it is getting kinda droopy. What went wrong? Thanks for any comments.

Post #6350595

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 01, 2009

My guess is probably too much water, it's very easy to overwater seedlings--often they don't need nearly as much water as you think they do. Did you notice that the base of the stems was pinched in and narrower than the rest? That's the usual symptom of damping off which is caused by too much moisture.

Post #6350620

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joannabanana Calgary, AB(Zone 3a) Apr 01, 2009

Dill has a very long root & does better directly in the ground. How tall was your container? Your basil should be ok if there is no sign of problems so far and it is kept warm.

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lssfishhunter Jonesville, SC(Zone 7b) Apr 02, 2009

I'll try to answer the questions:

The containers are 6 inch yogurt cups with four holes in the bottom.

I didn't notice the base of the plants pinched but when I first noticed the browning at the top of one of the plants, it appeared to be pinched like someone took a pair of needle nose pliers and squeezed the stem below the wilting and browning. But, as far as I noticed, the base was ok. I did think about damping off but I didn't know if it attacked herbs. Does damping off only attack the bottom of the plant? Can it attack the middle and top?

Post #6353840

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 02, 2009

Damping off can get any seedling, doesn't matter what it is. If anything herbs may be more susceptible because they mostly come from dryer climates so they can have more problems with excess moisture than other plants. I've never seen it on the top of the stem though, it's always been at the base.

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