What are the common diseases that basil has? Why are they so? How to solve the problems? Find detailed answers in this article.
Basil is one of the favorite herb plants used as a spice in dishes in many countries around the world. Planting basil is also very simple. However, you notice your basil having some yellowing, browning spots on its leaves. What are the causes of these phenomena? How can you fix it? Scroll down and find out the detailed answer.
Basil Leaves Are Yellowish
It is one of the most common basil diseases. This phenomenon appeared in basil for several reasons. It’s not easy to find the exact cause. So, read the information below carefully to find the right remedy.
Fungal-related diseases: You should know downy mildew is one of the most common fungal diseases in basil. When infected with this disease, basil leaves will turn yellow, gray or brown.
Aphids: If you notice your basils are not fungal, try flipping the back of the leaf to observe. Are there aphids there? Aphids are a small pest that draws water from soft foliage. It causes basil leaves to turn yellow.
Growing conditions: Basil likes temperatures ranging from 10 C. to 21 C. Cold temperatures are one of the reasons why basil leaves turn yellow. Also, the lack of sunlight is also a factor that makes basil leaves change their color.
Lack of nutrients: Basil is a plant that can quickly grow in arid lands. However, it still needs nutrients to become healthy.
Root Rot: Do you water your plants regularly? Do you spray with a moderate amount of water? The cause of rotting basils is due to a fungal disease that arises when the soil is overwatered. The root of the infected tree hinders the ability to suck roots, causing the leaves to change color.
According to Linda Claire, GrowHerbsGarden.com owner – a herbal expert, you should regularly add fertilizer to basils and make sure they get enough sunlight to prevent this disease.
She added that to solve this problem, you need to pluck the yellowish leaf so that it does not affect other parts of the plant.
Basil Leaves Are Brown
Turning brown is the result of several factors. Once you determine the exact cause, you can use the appropriate treatment. You need to pay special attention to the agents that make the basil leaves turn brown in basil below:
Pests and diseases: The leading cause of brown and bent foliage is spiders, scales, aphids, and water-sucking bugs. Also, the Fusarium wilt is also one of the reasons why leaves turn brown that you need to pay attention to.
Water and Sunlight: As the aforementioned information, basil is a plant that is easy to grow and care. However, if you are subjective, the tree will also have serious problems. Inappropriate amounts of water and lack of sunlight are the two leading causes of turning basil leaves into brown. Remember that they need at least 6 hours of sunshine a day to be healthy.
Soil and fertilizer: Basil plants grow best in neutral or slightly acidic soils. However, it still needs a sufficient amount of fertilizer to grow. Remember that it doesn’t need too much! Improper application to basils will cause it to burn, wilt, and turn brown.
Here are some tips to help you avoid this problem:
Use organic fertilizer.
Water the basil appropriately.
Plant basils with appropriate distance.
Use Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap when the weather is cool to eliminate harmful insects.
The most effective solution when leaves turn brown is to remove affected parts or remove highly infected plants in the garden.
Holes On Basils’ Leaves
The appearance of holes in basil leaves isn’t strange. This phenomenon is one of the most common diseases that basil has. The leading cause of this disease is mite, moth, beetle, and slug. The aroma of basil attracts them, and they have many different ways to destroy leaf parts. Linda Claire recommends that you take the following steps to prevent pests from harming basils:
Use diatomaceous soil to prevent the development of slugs.
Plant basils in appropriate distance.
Spray pesticides to prevent the occurrence of pests in the garden.
Ensure Proper hygiene.
The most optimal way to deal with this problem is to eradicate harmful pests. You should follow these steps:
Catch pests such as snails and beetles carefully by hand from your basil.
Practice soil rotation.
Spray insecticide.
The Last Words
Thanks to its characteristic flavor and an excellent use for health, basil is favored by many people as the king of herbs. So their presence in your garden is worth being proud.
In many situations, basil gardens will encounter some problems, which is inevitable. What you need to do is calmly find the leading cause and come up with the most appropriate solution. I hope this article will help you with your garden care.
