If basil presents only unsightly spotted foliage instead of juicy green leaves, there is an urgent need for action. In order to cure the basil, cause research is first carried out. You can find out what problems are expressed in spotted leaves here.
Fungal infections cause mottled leaves
One of the largest genera of ascomycetes, named Septoria, does not spare basil. The spores cause brown necrosis on the leaves, which spoils our appetite. In damp weather, the damage appears from June in the form of small, spreading spots.
Eventually, the foliage will dry up and fall off. Effective control agents are not yet known. How to prevent infection:
- Cut back affected shoots except for a pair of eyes
- Plant basil at an airy distance
- do not fertilize with too much nitrogen
- Avoid low-light locations
First and foremost, a rain-protected location provides effective prevention against infestation by Septoria spores. Clever hobby gardeners, therefore, add basil to their tomato plants in the garden under a rain canopy.
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Aphids have the lucerne mosaic virus in their luggage
The symptoms of the widespread virus infection are expressed in the form of mosaic-like discoloration on the leaves. In addition, deformations and compressions develop on the foliage of the basil.
In the herb garden, aphids are usually the carriers of this devastating plant disease. There is no known cure. To prevent the virus from spreading further in the garden, the infected basil should be destroyed immediately.
As a preventive measure, knowledgeable hobby gardeners consistently take action against aphids. In the course of intensive research, thrips also came under suspicion of introducing the mosaic virus, so these harmful insects should be included in the control.
Since the viruses are sometimes transmitted through infected seeds, it is recommended to only use certified quality goods from specialist retailers.
Tips
It doesn’t always have to be a disease that stains basil. One of the most common triggers of this type of damage is incorrect watering behavior. Basil does not want to be watered from above.
Even when sprayed, the herbal plant reacts with brown spots. Therefore, always water directly at the root area.
