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Top Questions About Basil Plants

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Questions About Basil Plants

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    December 17, 2010
    Certified Expert
    A.

    The fertilizer can be applied regularly as soon as the plant has about 4-8 true leaves. Really, the bloom enhancing fertilizers tend to have more phosphorous. Using more phosphorous and less nitrogen will encourage blossoming and less foliage.

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    January 24, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Basil can be tricky indoors. The most common reason for failure is simply not enough light. If your basil is leggy before it dies, this is a good sign it is not getting enough light. You can supplement the light with a florescent light placed near (like a few inches) the plant.

    Other common reasons for basil dying indoors are fungus (brown spots on the leaves or fuzzy mold will indicate this), pests (small spots - sometimes fuzzy spots) and over and under watering (droopy leaves in both cases).

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    February 21, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    It sounds like it may have Fusarium Wilt, which is caused by a fungus. Thai basil tends to be resistant to it, as does lemon, though not as much as thai basil is. It sounds like your variety was not resistant enough. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done with it. I would recommend disposing of it and starting over.

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  • Answered by
    RaeFalk on
    February 21, 2011
    A.

    Without seeing your problem plant, I'm going to guess that it's getting too much water (and fertilizer) since it was in a vegetable garden. Herbs like to suffer. They do well in hot sun, kind of crappy soil and less rather than more water.

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    March 11, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    It sounds like they have root rot. It is likely either Pythium and Rhizoctonia root rot, as these are most common on these plants. These articles will have more information:
    http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r280100211.html
    http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1359/az13592c.pdf

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 20, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    For pots that size, I would recommend one plant per pot.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 26, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    You should start pinching your basil as soon as it about 6" tall. Just pinch off the tips of the branches (and use them in a recipe) and continue to do so through the season. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/making-herbs-bigger-through-pinching-and-harvesting.htm

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