Does anyone know what causes this? It happens to about 25% of my Basil plants. I usually toss them but is there any way to fix this? The leaves start turning dark green, curling, and then the plant ends up looking completely desiccated. The plant is still soft to touch, its quite oily and has a very heavy Basil smell..There's no known pests, they get plenty of light and I use Jack's 321 Nutrient Kit changed every 10 days
Another day, Another Basil Problem (Hydroponic Basil Shriveling)
- Thread starter Ten20Thirty40
- Start date
This is unusual damage for Basil (Ocimum basilicum). It looks quite different from either typical Basil leaf spot (Pseudomonas cichorii) or Downy Mildew (Peronospora belbaharii).
Have you ruled out spider mites or thrips? The leaf damage looks similar to that of spider mites or thrips, but the pattern of having severely affected plants right next to completely unaffected plants seems unlikely for insect damage.
I am curious what this is. Please do keep us abreast of anything you find out.
Have you ruled out spider mites or thrips? The leaf damage looks similar to that of spider mites or thrips, but the pattern of having severely affected plants right next to completely unaffected plants seems unlikely for insect damage.
I am curious what this is. Please do keep us abreast of anything you find out.
Yes, I do agree the damaged plants are oddly misplaced, often between completely healthy basil.
It looks as if something is coming along and just sucking out everything it can, but the strange thing is the plants are usually pretty moist and the aroma is pretty strong. I chewed on a leaf and it has a verrrrry strong basil flavor with some mild bitterness.
I've checked for insects, and while I do get the occasional pest every now and then, it's nothing compared to what's causing this damage.
I've taken a lens up and down and to the roots as well and no sight of anything obvious.
This is not a new issue. I have seen this multiple times with different plants; seedlings, clones and mature plants alike.
The only thing they all have in common is the water, but im just not sure what it is about the water. And this time it's affecting a bit more than usual and I really want to save them if at all possible! Or at least avoid this problem in the future if I can.
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Are you cheking your water ph? To mutch nutrients in hydro will also give darker leavs and brow leaftips, so maybe try adjust the strength down a bit and see how they react?
Depending on the size of the reservoir try change it every 7 days maybe, dont forget to top it of with water so the soultuion dont get stronger.
thats what i think might be the problem.
Depending on the size of the reservoir try change it every 7 days maybe, dont forget to top it of with water so the soultuion dont get stronger.
thats what i think might be the problem.
You probably have sun burned basil leaves in TX. In Phoenix AZ I have a basil plants shaded by a large bush. My basil is on the north side of a 6 foot tall bush next to a 6 foot cement block yard fence. My basil gets a little bit of sun early morning then full shade 11 am to dark. My basil plant is 4 years old irrigation gives it 1 pint of water every night at 9 pm. Do not water plants during the day, water only after dark.