Basil seedlings doing something odd

14 years ago

I searched this and didn't see an answer, so I'll ask it here:

I am growing a bunch of pots with basil. I planted a bunch of the seeds and they have now sprouted to where they usually have a couple of tiny leaves.

I do realize I need more sun on them, they get about 4 hours of direct light a day and i need to put a plant light on there to get it better.

ANyhow, tho, I noticed that as I was about to thin out the seedlings, some of them had NO leaves at all! Like there is this little stem with nothing on it. It is still green.

Also, some of the leaves look like something ate it.

But I have seen no evidence of insects. I even sprinkled a little diatomaceous earth in the pot to make sure tere weer no nematodes. No bugs are flying, and I can't see anythign on the leaves or anything like mites.

I did see once a good garlic recipe for watering them with if it's a fungal problem, it involved boiling some garlic in a little water and just watering with that. (Anyone have the link? I was looking for it today).

Anyhow, if anyone can tell me what's going on that would be much appreciated. The last time I tried to grow basil they all just croaked.

Thx

Comments (11)

MGPinSavannah
14 years ago
Can you post pictures of what's happening? Also, it's been my experience that basil needs more light so getting your plant light set up sooner rather than later will be important.
hunapu
Original Author
14 years ago
http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/Jemspak/?action=view&current=P4100003.jpg

i hope this helps.

i do have a light designed for reptiles that i throw on for several hours (as it isn't that intense)
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lynnfrazer
14 years ago
have you left them outdoors at night , i know nights here still get kinda cold and i bring in all my pots at night
hunapu
Original Author
14 years ago
no they are inside -- i keep the temp at 65+
lazy_gardens
14 years ago
Basil seedlings spend an unusually long time with just the seed leaves.

The missing leaves may have been eaten, or attacked by a fungus. As long as you still have some healthy ones, don't worry.
nygardener
14 years ago
Here's your picture:
hunapu
Original Author
14 years ago
BTW I have a UV light (the kind you use for reptiles) and a heat lamp that also produces full-spectrum on the plants for a few hours a day in addition to the sun through the terrace (which is 4-5 hours now).

I have seen some small insects, really small, like gnats. I wonder if that is the problem? I watered the plants with a garlic mix (boiled garlic in water, essentially).

That, I figured would take care of most things. But I am still curious what this is and if it is thrips or something. (I did hit them with a teensy bit of insecticide on the soil, just in case).
georgeb_noobgarden
14 years ago
any chance you left them outside and a bird mistook them for a worm?
hunapu
Original Author
14 years ago
no they are inside and the windows were pretty much sealed.

nygardener: thanks for the post -- i couldnt figure out how to post pics
flora_uk
14 years ago
In my garden that would be typical snail damage. Any silvery trails visible nearby? If both the seed leaves and the central growing tip have gone the seedling will not develop further.

It has to be a creature of some sort. Fungi don't remove leaves completely like that.
Daixy
8 years ago
discovered what was eating my plants was either birds or lizards. I got rid of snails with good old manual labour. Now I'm fighting these lizards who have eaten my thyme, sage, cilantro and basil seedlings. Last resort will be sprinkling pepper on and around the plants.