Yellowing Basil Leaves
#1
08-12-11, 04:14 PM
Yellowing Basil Leaves
I have a basil plant growing in a pot on my porch and it has been pretty healthly looking until recently. Most of the leaves are yellowing but the top most leaves are a nice green color. I typically water it every morning and I'd say it gets about 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. The soil feels dry every time I go to water it, but I've heard that yellowing leaves could mean too much water. Other than the yellowing leaves, the plant is thriving and has maintained it's taste and aroma. FYI, the pot it is in is about 12" in diameter (no drainage hole), the plant is about 8" tall by 12". Does it need more sun? Less or more water? Should I be pruning it more regularly? If so, how low?
#2
08-13-11, 04:13 AM
I think the key is the lack of a drainage hole. They do need good watering, but it can't stand on the roots. Ours will begin to yellow if I don't pick the lower leaves quickly enough, so it could just be a maturity thing. I keep the lower leaves picked off, chop them up and put them in a baggie in the freezer. Nice to accumulate the spices over the summer and use them for soups, etc.
#3
08-13-11, 05:00 AM
Member
My guess is that it's too wet. I water mine every other day. Without a drainage hole the roots are probably rotting. Pull it out of the pot to let it dry a bit and drill some drain holes.
Now if I could only figure out how to grow cilantro.
Now if I could only figure out how to grow cilantro.
#4
08-13-11, 04:58 PM
Cilantro??!! Once my wife planted it, no matter how often I bush hog the area, it keeps coming back. Smells wonderful when you run over a patch of it! she just put seeds in the ground. I harvest quite a few baggies full of it and put it in the freezer. Looks like marijuana rolled up tight like that 
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#5
08-13-11, 06:34 PM
Member
I plant cilantro every year and get the same results - it bolts and turns yellow and the stems get woody. I plant it in the herb garden, in mixed pots and in pots by itself. The results are always the same - crap.
I successfully plant oregano, sage, basil, thyme, chives, rosemary, mint and lavender every year and every year cilantro kicks my adze.
Of course cilantro is one of my favorite herbs.
I successfully plant oregano, sage, basil, thyme, chives, rosemary, mint and lavender every year and every year cilantro kicks my adze.
Of course cilantro is one of my favorite herbs.
