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blaine_jones71

HERBS DYING OFF YOUNG PLEASE HELP!

9 years ago

I have Thyme, Oregano, Dill, and spinach in separate containers, except for the Dill and spinach. All of them started really great, but shortly after started wilting and turning brown and black. This is the second time I've tried the Dill and oregano and same things happened. I included photos of my painful sight. Please Help!


THYME

Blaine's ideas · More Info
OREGANO
Blaine's ideas · More Info
OREGANO
Blaine's ideas · More Info

Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago

    Where are they growing? Indoors or out? If outside where are you situated geographically. What is the growing medium? And how much water are you giving and how often? What are your temperatures? Are they from seed or plants? Can you describe how you've treated them do far?

    The general appearance is of fungus consequent upon excess moisture. But more info will help diagnosis.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks for the quick response. So I'm in mid florida. It's been upper 80s during the day and upper 70s at night. Quite mild with high humidity. Growing outdoors, Oregano is in 12 in. Plastic pot, thyme in a smaller 6 in plastic. 16 in. Clay For the Dill/spinach. The basil next to them in 12 in. Is doing amazing. Soil is the top shelf home depot pot of gold by Dr. Earth. All from seed indoors in starter kits then once true leaves started I left in kit but moved out doors window sill until they were nearly outgrowing the medium. Once transplanted, moved out into the sun, during Rain and storms i pull in under the porch. The soil never seems to dry out except in the clay spinach/dill so i haven't really watered them much at all. I spray regularly with a mild organicide, including a mix of neem, rosemary, lavender, spearmint oils. Dash of dish soap and cayenne pepper. Just like the first planting I did of Dill and oregano, they do great for the first about 2 months. Really flourishing since transplant. Then before they can really grow much larger than a couple inches, this strikes. My only other idea would be fungus because they are all next to each other and all died off about the same time. But again basil next to it in the same side by side potting is perfect. So I'm really lost. Haha. Thanks for any help.

  • 9 years ago

    The only other thing is when I made the potting soil mix I mixed in a 5-6-5 fertilizer. I read not to do so I haven't added any since then making them.

  • 9 years ago

    Oh and I began noticing they were not liking the direct sun and heat as much, especially the spinach, so for the last month they are permanently under the porch for indirect light. This die off occurs in only about 2 weeks max.

  • 9 years ago

    Well, can't really say much about your conditions because they're so different from mine.

    Spinach is a cool weather vegetable so I'm not surprised it's struggling for you. People over on the vegetable forum might be able to help with that.

    Did you harden the herbs off before planting them out?

    If the mix seems moist without watering possibly it is too water retentive and heavy. You need a fast design mix for the Mediterranean herbs. (Which doesn't include the basil).

    i also think you should stop spraying. Unless there is a specific identified pest or disease you should never spray and if you do you should use a specific remedy designed and tested for that particular problem. You are repeatedly hitting them with a bunch of harsh chemicals. Plant essential oils are extremely strong and as for dish soap, we'll.... No wonder they are unhappy. The problems seem to me to be related to growing conditions, not any pest or disease. The fungi I see are appearing after the plants deteriorate, they aren't causing it. You are loving them to death imo.

  • 9 years ago

    Yea florida can be very tough on burning out plants, for sure. I harden them off the way it details me to. They did great in the beginning of being slowly moved outside. And the spraying i did because I've lost other plants in the past due to pests that came regardless, of my weekly spraying. Specially moth laying worms decimating a cucumber patch. Florida is very tough for pests in general. Which is why I use the essential oils. I don't spray them hard and all over. It's mainly a smelly deterant, I imagined. But I've resulted in row covers now for many of my plants. And after leaving the first set I planted and dying the same manner, I sprayed heavier this time. This is my first season growing beyond tomatoes honestly. I'm thinking that's great advice. All the chemicals are used in teaspoon to gallon ratios so I figured the spray would be mild. The soap is used in light dose to break down the oils into the water. And for the herbs I'd just give one spray in passing by while on the way to my other plants. thank you very much. I'll try these simple steps on my next attempt. Wish me luck. But I think gardening is left up to less of luck, and more of experience. Haha

  • 9 years ago

    Those Mediterranean herbs are far less susceptible to pests and diseases than soft and leafy vegetables. Just because something ate your cucumbers it doesn't meant it'll attack your herbs. Many pests are plant specific. The herbs contain natural oils designed by nature to ward off pests. I would definitely recommend you stop spraying altogether.

    Btw dill isn't a Med herb. It needs cooler moister conditions and it needs resowing several times a season. It is a short lived annual rather than a woody shrub or sub shrub like thyme, rosemary, sage or oregano.

  • 9 years ago

    The concoction sounds problematic to me.

  • 9 years ago

    Well I went through the list of what each pest is detered by what oil. And it seemed almost everything is controlled by one of the 3 I use. But I generally spray a little in a walk by to deter any would be pests. To my understanding, spraying during infestation is done by covering the plant top to bottom. So I thought my spray near the plant, not on, would allow for the plant the flourish without being damaged. And keep any attackers to keep moving to the next.

  • 9 years ago

    But there is no evidence of any pests, Blaine. All your pictures show plants suffering from poor cultural conditions and fungi/molds.

    You have heard our advice but it seems you are still wedded to your convictions. There's no more to be said.

  • 9 years ago

    Well no, I did stop spraying. I was just adding to what what I was doing. To explain the logic to such a mixed solution. I'm still inexperienced to say the least. So I'm absolutely taking in every bit of advice I can. Thanks again.