Comments on: Basil

By: dennis

dennis — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:04:13 +0000

how long ( in years ) do basil plants live?
or how often should they be dug up and replaced ? Mine look great, but are approaching 15 yrs. of age

HI Dennis
Wow 15 years, that’s great! Here in the Midwest we can only grow it as an annual. Under best growing conditions, in frost free area, basil plants can live for years. If its healthy and growing well, then there is no reason to replace it.

By: Digna

Digna — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:51:07 +0000

Por favor tengo una matica de Sweet Basil y aparece codias sus hojitas sin que se vea ninguna causa,es mas las hojas desaparecen en question se segundos,que puedo utilizar para
salvarla?
Gracias vivo en Miami y estan en el solarium con buena temperatura.

By: judi

judi — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:26:13 +0000

My basil plant seemed very haealthy until today when discovered many of the leaves have brown spots. What have I done wrong and how can I bring it back to health?

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:12:21 +0000

I just noticed a thin layer of webs, with teeny tiny white bugs, across the top leaves of my Indian basil. I placed the entire pot under a warm shower and then washed the leaves with a orange based dish detergent. I haven’t washed the leaves again, and was wondering if there is anything else I should be doing to prevent the infestation again.
I also did the same washing procedure with a healthy croton. Both plants are indoors now, having spent the entire summer on my balcony. Would appreciate your comments/ advice on how to continue taking care of these plants, as I am a little concerned having never faced this problem before. I will be keeping both plants separated from the rest to further control the spread.
Thanks again for your advice.

Hi Ray
It sounds like you have it under control. Check once a week to see if there is any evidence of the insect, if so give it another treatment. Your diligence will pay off.

By: stacy

stacy — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:01:46 +0000

I have been growing sweet basil on my patio all summer without issue, now I notice little white spots on some of the leaves, and when I shake the plant, little bugs flying off, what could this be and is there a non-chemical treatment?

HI Stacy It sounds like white fly, which is difficult to get rid of. You can try to wash it off the leaves when you pick it.

By: Julia

Julia — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:36:53 +0000

I apparently overdried some basil hanging upside down in my garage, and most of it turned brown and brittle. This might be a dumb question, but I’m new to drying herbs… Are they still ok to keep and use in recipes? I know green and dry is preferable, but can you still use the brown stuff?

Hi Julia
There’s never a dumb question. Basil, more than other herbs will discolor when dried and loose some flavor but is still good to use in cooking. It won’t have the flavor like fresh basil. Another method of drying is in the microwave. I haven’t tried this but here goes.
Start with a single layer cover with paper towel and cook on high for a minute. The leaves should be crispy. You will have to experiment with the timing so that you don’t over cook them. Store the dried leaves in an airtight jar away from light. Another way is to freeze pureed leaves in ice cube trays and then store them in plastic bags in the freezer.

By: Prem Ramamirtham

Prem Ramamirtham — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:41:37 +0000

Hi live in the Philadelphia area and about 2 weeks ago I noticed what I think now are Dark Basil propagating all over our flower beds, grass and cracks in our driveway and hardscaping. How do I get rid of them? I don’t want them to overtake our grass or our flower beds. Will they die off in the winter and I will not have to worry about them next season? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for reply.

Prem.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:10:47 +0000

When I first got my basil plant it was about a foot tall and it was growing very well. I pinched the leaves and flowers in order to stimulate bushier growth. However, lately the plant does not seem to be growing. It’s not growing upward or outward it seems. In addition the bottom 1 inch of the plant is brown and getting hard like a twig, but only that portion. Also, every once and a while one of the leaves will just completely shrivel up and die. Lastly, the leaves are a little yellowish. What can I do to improve my plant’s health?

Hi Ashley
You can try to fertilize your basil plant and see if that helps. It is an annual and is in a mature stage of growth so instead of making tender new leaves it is focused on making flowers and seeds (even when you cut off the flower heads).

By: scott

scott — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:21:00 +0000

I have noticed lots of black ants crawling on and living on my basil plants. Is this good or bad ?

Hi Scott
I would look for aphids. Ants are attracted to the honeydew (clear sticky stuff on the leaves) that they produce.

By: Katie

Katie — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:25:27 +0000

Leaf margin burnThis is so helpful! I got a potted basil that has delicious, spicy tiny leaves and everyday it seems like some of the leaves just instantly turn half brown. The stems look fine but the leaves turn brown from the outside in so fast. Am I watering too much? Not enough?

HI Katie
Brown leaf margins can be a sign of stress. You may be overwatering. Is the soil well drained or does the water sit on the surface and take time to drain? The other problem may be overfertilizing. Too much salt accumulation builds up in the soil and the plant can’t use it up fast enough. If so, leach out the salts by thouroughly watering letting the water run out of the bottom on the pot and then do it again.