What to do as soon as you buy basil to make it last for months
Basil is one of the most used aromatic plants in the kitchen . Basil is simple to grow, however when we buy a plant at the supermarket, it almost always dies after a few weeks , sometimes after a few days.
Basil plants require about 8 hours of sunlight per day, well-drained potting soil and enough space to allow air circulation. However, these basic cares may not be enough for a plant bought at the supermarket.
The main reason why this type of plant dies shortly after bringing it home is due to the abrupt environmental and thermal shock . In the supermarket the plants are subjected to little artificial light and a controlled temperature. At home, however, it is exposed to natural light.
In reality, there can be more than one cause and we will list them all below, together with the solutions to make your basil plant last as long as possible.
Fusariosis of plants
This type of fungal disease that affects basil plants causes stunted growth, yellowing and leaf drop. The first symptoms of the problem are slow growth and sunken-looking leaves.
Unfortunately, finding a solution to fusarium wilt is almost impossible and it is always better to start from scratch, with a new plant, thoroughly disinfecting both the pot and the entire place where the plant has been placed.
The best weapon against fusariosis is prevention. Avoid water stagnation and irrigate the soil without wetting the leaves.
Root rot
This is another major reason why basil plants cease to live. This disease is water-borne, therefore caused by inadequate irrigation or poorly drained soil. Let the soil dry between waterings.
If the basil is in a pot, make sure the plant drains well after watering.
Leaf spot
If your basil plant is starting to wilt and you notice brown spots on the leaves, it is likely a fungal disease that falls into the group of diseases known as “leaf spot.”
The first thing to do is to remove the diseased leaves. To prevent the disease, water the base of the plant and never spray water on the leaves. If the disease is not already in an advanced stage, the plant will recover with this simple measure.