Basil pest

[Lsave]

Anyone recognize this problem with basil. I couldn't figure it out. First-time growing basil outdoors.

 

[Chuck]

Probably sunscald. Lately it has been WAAAAAY too hot to grow just about anything outdoors. Basil likes temperatures of about 75F-90F and it has been a LOT hotter than that for at least a month.

 

[Lsave]

Thanks for your quick response. Just wondering if the black spots on the leaves any sign of fungus or pests.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for your quick response. Just wondering if the black spots on the leaves any sign of fungus or pests.

Those little black specks are either feces or fungal spores. When a plant leaf is sunscalded it is in a much weakend condition and any insect that flies by is attracted to it. Just pull off the affected leaves. Same thing with fungus, a weakened plant is more susceptible. To alleviate sunscald damage use a shade cloth or move the plants to a place that doesn't get this blistering heat.