Basil stunted

[shihchau]

What is the problem with my Basil? I notice tiny ants at the tip. The soil is quite damp on touch even though the soil in other pots in the same area is dry. .

 

[Oliver Buckle]

To me ants on a plant mean aphids of some sort. The aphids extract essential minerals from the juice they suck from the plants, then spew out the excess sugars, which the ants collect. Some ants will actually go further moving the aphids about to infect healthy plants, The growing tips are just the sort of tender place aphids like, are the leaves curled there, concealing the aphids under them?

 

[shihchau]

Thanks. I will take a closer look and perhaps try spraying some neem oil mix.