Transplanted my basil seedlings 3 weeks ago. They sprouted up to 8 inches in this period, and then suddenly yesterday they started to wilt. No signs of disease, no change in color, soil ph is 7.2, moisture level is 8 - what shall I do?
They may be damping off (which is caused by a fungus) or root rot if they were over watered. Make sure the drainage is good and add some fungicide to the soil to keep off the fungus.
Purchased 5 Basil plants from a gardening spot. Almost immediately began getting yellow leaves at the bottom. (The spot is perfect - Have been using it for years.) When I harvested some today, noticed the underside of the yellowish/green leaves have a sandy, dark collection on them. It can't completely be washed away. Not sure what it is but will not eat it. Do you have any idea what to spray it with or how to treat it?
It may be aphids or a similar pest. You can treat the plants with a pesticide. As they are food plants, I like neem oil as it is organic, safe for people and beneficial bugs and effective on pests. This article may also be helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/homemade-aphid-control-a-natural-way-to-kill-aphids.htm
Why are my sweet basil leaves turning black on the undersides? The new leaves are beautiful but as they grower larger, the leaf develops black underside, similar to mildew, but not on the tops. How can I fix this problem? What am I doing wrong, as new to growing in Florida.
Sounds like a fungus, possible from too much moisture or even pests. Remove infected leaves and treat the plant with neem oil. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/basil-diseases.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/how-to-grow-basil-plants.htm
I have Dark Opal basil, Lemon basil, Common sage, and Blue rosemary. Will planting any of those with/mixed in with my peppermint be a bad idea?
Since peppermint is in the mint family, it is a spreader with the likelihood of taking over surrounding plants/areas. Therefore, I would recommend planting the peppermint in a container (which can also be bottomless and sunk into the ground) to avoid this problem. As long the this plant is contained, then planting the others nearby should be ok, but I would not recommend planting them together in the same pot.
How do I correct leggy basil?
Just clip the plant back to encourage side growth and fullness.
I'm growing tomato and basil plants indoors and their leaves look blotchy and unhealthy.
They need some nutrients. Give them some water soluble fertilizer at half strength.
When I grow Basil, it is never as dark green as what I can buy in the store. Everything else in the garden does fine.
Try adding a bit more nitrogen-rich fertilizer and see if this helps with the greening up of the foliage. If not, it may just be the type of basil you have and is no indication of there being anything wrong as long as it appears healthy otherwise.