Basil
I bought and potted several basil plants recently (I am new at this). I had to bring them inside because they were dying outside. Now there are small flies in the soil, and the plant looks pretty unhealthy. Some of the leaves have a white film on them with what looks like tiny dark things on them. Is it something with bugs?? Anyone have any suggestions? I appreciate any help!
Hi Gcook,
Sounds like your basil was overwatered. The critters in the soil are probably the larvae of fungal gnats.
https://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r280300811.html
The white might be powdery mildew. Is this what it looks like?
https://www.huntingtonbotanical.org/Rose/resources/imagesspringlg/Powdery%20Mildew.jpg
If so, you can use milk to treat it.
https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s948323.htm
Mites are another possibility. Place a white piece of paper under the plant and tap the stems to see if little red spots or little black spots fall off.
https://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/ornamentals/spidermites.html
You could use insecticidal soap for the mites but you'll need to spray every 3 to 5 days. You can make your own but don't use antibacterial soap or detergent.
https://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/outdoors/194
Newt
Sounds like your basil was overwatered. The critters in the soil are probably the larvae of fungal gnats.
https://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r280300811.html
The white might be powdery mildew. Is this what it looks like?
https://www.huntingtonbotanical.org/Rose/resources/imagesspringlg/Powdery%20Mildew.jpg
If so, you can use milk to treat it.
https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s948323.htm
Mites are another possibility. Place a white piece of paper under the plant and tap the stems to see if little red spots or little black spots fall off.
https://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/ornamentals/spidermites.html
You could use insecticidal soap for the mites but you'll need to spray every 3 to 5 days. You can make your own but don't use antibacterial soap or detergent.
https://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/outdoors/194
Newt
I have the same things on my green basil.Gcook wrote:I bought and potted several basil plants recently (I am new at this). I had to bring them inside because they were dying outside. Now there are small flies in the soil, and the plant looks pretty unhealthy. Some of the leaves have a white film on them with what looks like tiny dark things on them. Is it something with bugs?? Anyone have any suggestions? I appreciate any help!
