Is it worth saving my basil plants?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I've waited too long to repot my basil. What is going on here with the leaves? Is this due to them needing to be repotted, and would it be worth repotting them in a large garden bed, or am I better off buying new ones and starting over?

Another related question that I have is, what is the best way to get rid of and prevent/control thrips on herbs that you plan to consume? I seem to end up with them every time I start my herb garden, and I think they may be finding their way over from a neighboring garden, although I'm not sure how large of distances thrips can travel. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Comments (4)

PRO
Bespoke Gardening
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
My take would be no. What USDA zone are you in, Hannah? If you don't know, figure it out from this great, hyperlocal map:

https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx

I am wondering if the basil plants were sitting outside waiting to be planted during cool, rainy weather? Basil like it HOT -- warm soil, warm air, warm night temperatures. If you're in zone 6b or cooler, IMHO I myself would still wait awhile before buying and planting basil unless you have a snug and cozy microclimate or are planting in pots that you can bring inside on cool, damp days or cold nights. Basil is wonderful and it is SO hard to resist buying it when it looks fresh and wonderful in a garden center!
Hannah Nichols thanked Bespoke Gardening
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
7 years ago
Have those plants ever been fertilized?
Hannah Nichols thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
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Hannah Nichols
Original Author
7 years ago
@Bespoke Gardening, thank you so much for your comment and sharing that map. I read this back when you posted it, and forgot to respond then. I live in Brooklyn, NY. It looks like I'm somewhere between 7a and 7b. That's good to know about waiting until later in the season to buy basil. I bought mine as soon as the temperature got above a high of 60, but I see that I should have waited. Since then, it has warmed up a lot. We removed the junky looking leaves and repotted the basil and it's absolutely thriving! I was ready to give up on it but I think the weather changed just in time.

@rhizo_1, I haven't fertilized them. We did just repot though, and the basil is really thriving in the warm weather.
PRO
Bespoke Gardening
7 years ago
Glad to hear it! Sounds like you're in the clear!

I was cautious on your basil since it has been having a major problem with basil downy mildew in the last few years. One of the symptoms is that they look yellow as if they have not been fertilized! The disease is a real nasty one -- like late blight of tomato, it can travel miles and miles on the wind, and no organic fungicides have been found to treat it. Although in the North it typically doesn't overwinter (so far) and it doesn't like cooler temperatures, lots of us buy our basil plants that are greenhouse-grown, and thus the possibility of its survival in the North and the cycle continuing exists. (Seed can also carry the disease.) I know Rutgers has been partnering to develop resistant varieties that are now for sale at wholesale level, but I'm not sure how far into the retail market they have managed to penetrate.

Has anyone seen basil for sale yet that is marketed as disease resistant?