What's Wrong With My Basil

[symonjo]

I started off abount 20 basil plants but they've all wilted and died bar two or three. All are in 5" pots of multi purpose in the greenhouse, and started going down hill after transplanting. Is it too hot, wrong soil, too much water, any clues out there

[trebellangeminired]

We were chatting about this very subject the other night. Hope this helps. If not post again

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ighlight=basil

[Alice]

Symonjo, basil doesn't like being transplanted and there's no need to do it. I just grow it by sprinkling seed thinly over a pot and let everything that germinates grow there. You can plant several pots, or plant in succession.
I always water from the bottom as wet leaves just seem to rot.
I've only ever managed to grow in the greenhouse or on the windowsill. It doesn't grow outdoors for me.

[Alice]

Symonjo, basil doesn't like being transplanted and there's no need to do it. I just grow it by sprinkling seed thinly over a pot and let everything that germinates grow there. You can plant several pots, or plant in succession.
I always water from the bottom as wet leaves just seem to rot.
I've only ever managed to grow in the greenhouse or on the windowsill. It doesn't grow outdoors for me.

[symonjo]

Symonjo, basil doesn't like being transplanted and there's no need to do it. I just grow it by sprinkling seed thinly over a pot and let everything that germinates grow there. You can plant several pots, or plant in succession.
I always water from the bottom as wet leaves just seem to rot.
I've only ever managed to grow in the greenhouse or on the windowsill. It doesn't grow outdoors for me.

Thanks Alice, I've taken your advice and re-seeded in the permanent pots. It's a bit late in the season so I'll see how I get on

[doozer]

I'm newish...but I heard (on this very, wonderful site) that basil should only be watered 'when dry' and also doesn't like being too hot.

I had the same issue as you and I stopped watering so regularly and also moved it from the greenhouse to a sunny position outside (it's in a pot).

It still isn't fab with stiff flat leaves...but it's much happier - and still tatses just as good. Also, have been pinching out the tops to stop it getting leggy.

Good luck.

[armadillo]

I've always planted it straight into pots which I keep in the conservatory to germinate, then move outside- both the ordinary and purple seem to be happy enough with this, although the purple is rather slow to grow. It sometimes dries out between waterings, so that does seem to be good for it.

[nilling]

This is the first time I have attempted to grow basil. I lost the vast majority of my seedlings. But after reading posts on here I have 3 plants about 15cm high on west facing kitchen window sill. The pots are sat in a large Lurpack butter tub and I put about an inch of water in every other day.

[Kristen]

I don't let things sit in water. If I want to water a plant from the bottom I fill the container up with water, give it 30 minutes or so, and then pour the rest away.

My pot-trays have 1/2" or so of gravel in the bottom, I try to keep them filled up to the top of the gravel - i.e. so the pot itself is not in the water - which then evaporates and keeps the air around the plant moist - at least, that's the theory!