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Why Is My Basil Plant Drooping – Everything You Need To know

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Basil is an aromatic spice with an essential ingredient in many Italian dishes. It can be combined with meat and vegetables and even desserts and sugary drinks.

Essentially, it is possible to grow basil in the climatic conditions of both open ground and home in a pot on the windowsill. Basil is very unpretentious.

It does not require much attention from the gardener, but it is still worth following the primary care rules. This includes protecting the plant from diseases and pests.

The question comes, why is my basil plant drooping? This becomes of the problems that you can encounter.

Why Is My Basil Plant Drooping
How do I save my droopy basil? via Reddit

Why is my basil plant drooping?

This can be because of the following reasons:

1. Fusarium wilt

Drooping basil plants that appear suddenly on young plants are often caused by Fusarium wilt. This fungal disease causes stunted growth and drooping, wilted, or yellow leaves. 

The first signs of a problem are reduced growth and leaving with a cupped appearance. Eventually, the leaves may fall off the plant.

Fusarium wilt is challenging to manage and can remain in the soil for 8 to 12 years. If you suspect your plant is infested with Fusarium, you have to start with a new plant in a completely different location.

Prevention is the best solution for Fusarium wilt. Buy healthy and disease-resistant plants. If you are planting basil seeds, make sure the package states that the seeds have been tested for Fusarium.

2. Root rot

Root rot is another common cause of drooping basil plants. It is a waterborne disease, usually caused by improper watering or poorly drained soil. 

To solve it, allow the soil to dry out a bit between watering but don’t let it get dry. If basil is in a pot, make sure the plant is completely dry after watering, and never leave the pot in water.

3. Leaf spot

If your basil plant starts to wilt and you notice brown, water-soaked spots on the leaves, it may be infected with various fungal diseases known as leaf spot.

This will result in drooping. To solve this, remove affected leaves at the first sign of infection. Likewise, water the plant with water to prevent disease and never use sprinklers or spray nozzles. If the disease is not severe, a fungal spray may help.

4. Pests

Aphids, spider mites, and other insects can suck the sap from aphids, which can cause drooping of the leaves. Most suckling insects are easily removed by spraying the leaves with an insecticidal soap spray.

Use the spray precisely as directed. Never spray the plant when the sun is directly on the foliage or when the temperature is over 90 degrees.

Why Is My Basil Plant Drooping 2
Why Is My Basil Plant Drooping? via Reddit

Growing basil from seeds

1. Seed preparation

Basil seeds do not need to be processed, but it allows you to speed up the emergence of sprouts. To do this, the seeds are soaked for 1-2 days in warm water, changing them at least once every 12 hours. 

This procedure will help remove the essential oil from the surface of the seeds. After such soaking, the seeds are kept for a couple of hours in a pale solution of potassium permanganate and then slightly dried on a napkin for ease of sowing. 

Due to the small size of the seeds for drying, it is necessary to use a material that does not impede their subsequent extraction. A toothpick will also help simplify the process – it pry the seeds when moving into the ground.

2. Soil preparation

Basil requires loose and garden soil with equal proportions. Garden soil can be replaced with vermicompost by mixing it with a universal substrate (1:4) or a coconut substrate (1:20).

Before sowing, it is recommended to disinfect the soil by holding it for 1 hour at a temperature of about 110 degrees), freezing, or spilling with potassium permanganate. Such measures help to protect seedlings from pests. 

After that, the necessary mineral fertilizers can be added to the soil. A drainage layer about 2.5 cm thick must be laid at the bottom of the selected pot.

The rest of the place is filled with soil, leaving about 3.5 cm to the edge of the container. Then the earth is carefully leveled and then watered.

3. Sowing

March is considered the best time to start growing basil. This plant loves heat and light, and in such conditions, its young bushes will develop more actively.

Basil seeds are sown, maintaining a distance of 2 cm, then covered with a centimeter layer of earth and covered with glass or a bag. 

Then the pot or box is transferred to a warm place and aired daily until sprouts appear. The seeds will not need watering, but the soil can be gently sprayed if necessary. 

Likewise, the timing of seedling emergence varies depending on the variety and growing conditions and averages about 7-12 days. With the advent of sprouts, the film should be removed, and the extra seedlings should be thinned out or transplanted into another container. 

At least 10 cm should remain in the box between the plants. If the basil grows in a pot, the number of bushes is calculated based on its diameter. 

Seedlings should not be cramped, but too deep a container will make it difficult for immature plants to develop. Seedlings should be kept in a well-lit area. When the bushes grow to at least 5 cm, a little earth can be poured into the pot to become stronger.

4. Watering

In the summer, basil is watered daily, in the morning, trying to keep the soil constantly moist but not waterlogged. If the room becomes cooler in winter, the number of watering is reduced to 2 times a week.


Conclusion

Basil is one of the herbs that are great for home growing. This plant, rich in essential oils, is very unpretentious and can grow well at home throughout the year. Basil bushes look very decorative and also have a pleasant aroma. 

It is recommended to create a miniature garden on the windowsill. But for the bush to give a good harvest, you need to learn the basic rules for growing it. In this article, you know why is basil plant is drooping.