Basil is a strong-flavored and delicious herb that is easy to grow at home from seed or cuttings. basil plant stem turning brown is a common question?
Healthy basil leaves are bright to deep green, with some edible varieties producing purple-red leaves.
It is a sensitive plant but relatively easy to care for if you are equipped with basic knowledge of basil care.
However, if you have ever noticed the stems of your basil plant turning brown.
When the leaves begin to turn yellow, as yellow basil leaves quickly lose flavor and texture and you may lose the leaves entirely.
it is important to identify and correct the problem quickly to save your crop. You may be wondering what is happening to your precious herbs.
If you notice brown spots or leaves on your basil plant, find out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Let’s discuss why Tulshi leaves turn brown and how to cure them.
Here are seven common reasons why basil leaves turn yellow, and tips on how to fix and prevent problems.
Natural Maturity
The stems turn brown and woody after the production of basil flower seeds.
This is a normal part of the annual life cycle and is not indicative of any disease or problem.
However, to avoid basil bolting, many gardeners prune the flowers as they form.
This prompts the plant to grow more leaves and produce more flavorful basil.
If your plant produces seeds, be sure to save them for replanting, either indoors or in your garden.
This is also a good time to harvest leftover basil before the plant starts to go bad. You can even eat the flowers!
Basil Plant Stem Turning Brown For Root Rot
A common problem for gardeners with many plants, including basil, is root rot.
This occurs when the soil is too wet and the plants do not have enough oxygen.
Overwatering, heavy rainfall and or poor soil or pot drainage can cause root rot.
One of the first signs of root rot is the browning of the stems. However, at this point, there will be significant damage to the roots as well.
Remove root-rotten plants from the soil and trim off damaged roots before planting.
When growing basil, remember to plant it in sterile, well-drained soil.
If gardening in containers, the container must have holes for proper drainage and air circulation.
If planting your basil in the ground, choose a spot that doesn’t get waterlogged.
Fungal Infection
Root rot can also be the result of a fungal infection. One of the most common diseases found in basil is Fusarium wilt, and browning of the stems is most noticeable at the bottom.
Additionally, true to its name, leaf drop is one of the main symptoms.
High ammonium-nitrogen levels in the soil increase the prevalence of this disease.
To avoid this, be mindful of how much you fertilize in winter and spring. Also, be sure to use a low-ammonium fertilizer.
Since fungi thrive in warm, humid environments, the combination of warm weather and rain can spell disaster for outdoor crops.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Fusarium wilt and associated fungal infections.
If you suspect you are dealing with a fungus, destroy all affected plants as spores can travel very quickly, infecting other plants.
Pathogens can survive in the soil for years. For potted plants, exclude soil as well.
If your basil is in the garden bed, it is necessary to rotate crops for three years or more to filter out disease.
When doing this, it’s best to use plants in the mint family because they won’t be affected by fursarium wilt.
There are several other diseases that affect basil, many of which you can notice with brown stems as a symptom.
Bacterial leaf spots are the most common, appearing as brown or black spots on stems.
Brown or black spots will also appear on the leaves, making the disease easier to detect.
In addition to high humidity, the incidence of this disease increases due to wetness of the leaves.
Preventive measures include avoiding surface watering of basil that gets the leaves wet and ensuring adequate spacing between plants for proper air circulation.
As with fungal infections, there is no cure for most basil diseases, and the best course of action is to remove infected plants.
Thirsty Leaves
Tulshi is thirsty and needs water all the time. Keep it hydrated with about an inch of water a week.
Basil needs water in the pot or garden when the soil is dry. Without enough water, a plant feels like it has been in the desert for a long time.
It dries up and becomes brown. The scene is pathetic.
Water the plant if the topsoil dries out or feels dry. To avoid root rot and waterlogging, ensure that the soil drains well.
Overwatering
Overwatered basil tends to rot the roots, which causes the plant to dry out and lower leaves to turn yellow.
What Causes Yellow Basil Leaves To overwater, test the soil moisture by pricking your finger or using a moisture meter.
Potted plants may need to be transferred to a new container with fresh, dry potting mix.
For plants in the ground, withhold irrigation until the soil has had a chance to dry out.
To prevent root rot, let the top 2 inches of soil dry out between waterings, and make sure potted plants have plenty of drainage holes.
Basil Plant Stem Turning Brown For Poor Draining
Poor drainage also results in root rot and yellowing of leaves.
Loosen soil compacted with old compost or sand before planting.
A mixture of compost and potting soil also allows for good drainage in potted plants.
Avoid crowding too many plants in one pot. Basil grows best in large deep pots with about 3 gallons of soil per plant.
If your potted plant has compacted soil, you can break up the soil by gently poking it with a dowel.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Feed basil with a balanced NPK fertilizer like 10-10-10. Nitrogen deficiency can cause yellowing of leaves.
Insufficient levels of magnesium, iron and some other micronutrients can cause chlorosis, which is yellowing of leaves due to poor photosynthesis.
Add compost to the garden soil before planting to increase the available nutrients.
Basil Plant Stem Turning Brown For Very Cold Weather
Basil prefers temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees F, and stems can turn brown and woody when temperatures cool.
It is common for outdoor crops in the autumn months and is a defense against cold conditions.
Snow blankets and row covers are useful tools for keeping crops warm in spring and fall.
Container gardening is also a fantastic option for basil because it allows for easy transport inside for a fresh supply of Italian herbs year-round during the cold or winter months.
Keeping it Green
Basil is a popular herb that makes a wonderful addition to any garden or herb pot.
However, when something goes wrong with your plants, it can sometimes be difficult to determine the root cause.
After natural maturity, the most common causes of basil stems turning brown are root rot, fungus, bacteria and cold.
Check your plants every time you water them and act quickly if you see browning on your basil plants.
Basil Plant Stem Turning Brown For False Light
Basil is a warm-climate annual that grows its best foliage in 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day and temperatures in the 50 to 80°F range.
It does not withstand frost. However, extended periods of temperature above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can cause leaf burn.
The edges turn brown and the leaves turn yellow, eventually dying and dropping.
In hot, dry climates with extended periods of temperatures above 80°F, a little afternoon shade helps avoid leaf burn.
Insufficient Ventilation
When properly pruned, Tulshi grows into a bushy form with lots of dense foliage.
This makes it important to practice good harvesting throughout the season to give each plant plenty of individual space and to maintain good circulation between plants.
Keeping the center of the plant open prevents the leaves from shriveling together which causes drying and yellowing and reduced harvest.
Basil Plant Stem Turning Brown and Bolting
Although basil is a warm-weather herb, hot summer temperatures prompt the plant to bolt quickly.
When the leaves begin to turn yellow, it can be a signal that your plant is preparing to produce flowers and go to seed.
During the warmer months, check your basil daily and pinch off the buds and flowers that form at the top of the plant.
Insects and Plant Diseases
Basil is not particularly vulnerable to insects, although spider mite infestations cause yellow spots on the leaves, which eventually turn brown and fall off. Look for webbing on the bottom or center of the leaf.
Depending on how bad the infection is, various treatments with neem or horticultural oil may be needed.
Downy mildew causes yellow spots on the upper side of the leaves with gray spore-like molds appearing on the underside.
Plants affected by this fungus cannot be saved, although unaffected leaves are still harvestable and safe to eat.
Pull up the infected plant, remove the usable leaves, and discard the rest of the plant in the trash.
Fusarium wilt is another fungal infection characterized by yellowing brown spots on leaves.
There is no cure for fusarium wilt, so the plants should be removed and disposed of.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it is evident that Basil plants can benefit year round if properly cared for, only the plants need to be properly cared for and gardeners should follow the matter with utmost care.
Reference:
https://gardening.stackexchange.com/questions/19596/my-basil-stems-are-cracking-and-turning-brown