• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • Nancy Reading
  • John F Dean
  • r ranson
  • Jay Angler
  • paul wheaton
stewards:
  • Pearl Sutton
  • Leigh Tate
  • Devaka Cooray
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Matt McSpadden
  • Jeremy VanGelder

basil--what is destroying it?

 
Posts: 42
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi there,
SO i noticed my basil has a dark grey lining on it in spots, on multiple plants in different pots, destroying the basil. Does anyone know if it's a fungus, insect, or frost that caused this? I didn't see any insects, (although I know the holes are from insects), and the weather has changed recently. I just wonder which direction I should tackle this. Thanks.
IMG_2132.JPG
[Thumbnail for IMG_2132.JPG]
basil
IMG_2130.JPG
[Thumbnail for IMG_2130.JPG]
basil2
 
steward
Posts: 1748
Location: Western Kentucky-Climate Unpredictable Zone 6b
115
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi Risa ! This could be a fungus like colletrichum . Caused by excessive watering sometimes . Best defense against this dreaded scourge-besides less water- is to pluck the afflicted leaves at the first sign of infection . Then you grind the leaves in a food mill with olive oil , garlic , pinon nuts , and parmesan .Place into a bowl of freshly cooked , still warm liguini and dispose of by sharing with freinds . Welcome to permies !
 
Risa Sibbitt
Posts: 42
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hey Wayne,

That makes perfect sense because we have had heavy rains lately. Aside from the delicious pasta I made tonight, do I need to pluck all the leaves that are slightly tainted... will it spread, or will drying it out save the untouched leaves? thanks!
Risa
 
wayne stephen
steward
Posts: 1748
Location: Western Kentucky-Climate Unpredictable Zone 6b
115
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I am positive that if the conditions change the problem will too . This type of fungus can can loss of foilage but I believe will stop with more dryness. Do you water ? If you have to don't water from above. Just at the base and slowly . It should help. { If feel like that radio garden guy on NPR Saturday Mornings }
 
Posts: 12
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Most fungus problems associated with wet and/or humid weather can be partially dealt with with an epson salts (magnesium sulfate) spray. Like Wayne said, the best solution would be that your weather change a bit and that you not water the foliage.

I'm not sure if you're into the espon salts spray thing. It's a more natural alternative to other store bought chemicals. If that's ok with you, just dissolve 2tbsp epson salts in 1 gal of warm water. Get the tops and the bottoms of the leaves and don't apply more than once a week. When the weather breaks, you can stop using it.

Like Wayne also said, those leaves are still edible and tasty and his non-spray solution is valid.
 
The overall mission is to change the world. When you've done that, then you can read this tiny ad:
100th Issue of Permaculture Magazine - now FREE for a while
https://permies.com/goodies/45/pmag
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic