I have both lemon basil and regular basil growing in pots and I am having totaly opposite results. The regular basil is growing really well, the leaves are super curly, full and lush green. The lemon basil is browning, shriveling and dying. Both of them are in the exact same size pot, same medium, watered exactly the same and under the same light at the same distance. Is there something special to growing it that I am missing? The ones I have in the south window are spindly but growing kinda okay, but under the artificla lights the lemon basil is simply not going to make it.
My first thought is that the plant or seed was defective to begin with and just won't thrive no matter what you do. Just like not all seeds will germinate, not all seeds that do germinate are going to produce healthy plants. If you bought it as a seedling and still have the receipt you might be able to get a replacement or your money back if the garden center guarantees their plants. If you started it from seed, you might be able to do the same with the seeds packet or buy another brand of seeds and try again.
They are last years seeds so that could be the problem. I guess I will find some new ones. But I had the same problem with getting them to grow outdoors last year. Maybe it is just a bad batch of seeds from a weak stalk. Hopefully a new batch of seeds will make a difference. I really want to make lemon basil tea this year and use some fresh on some fish dishes.
Toni has probably given you the best reason why your Lemon Balm didn't grow for you. However, I found this website, with pictures, that may help you along when you get your next batch of seeds to sow. http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/3 ... mon-basils
Well both of them are failing, the lemon basil is dead and the regular is not doing well at all. I am thinking I am going to restart them both in a much better soil this time. Sand, coconut coir, mushroom compost and light fertilizers. I think a lot of it had to do with old seeds but my medium wasn't the best either. I bought new seeds and will trying again soon. Wish me luck because basil my absolute favorite for all my fish dishes and seems to be my hardest to grow. Maybe some time this year it will be nice enough to grow another batch outside.
Hi fish 4 all, Definitely use sterile potting MIX and sterilize (10% bleach solution) your containers if you are reusing what you already have. Wash your hands also before beginning. If you have any virus on your old plants you can transfer the organism over to the new batch. That said Your seed could already be contaminated (from the mother crop) before you ever got them. Don't overwater. (It is better to underwater). there was a post earlier in the month about basil. You might want to go look for it and read it. It might be helpful. I grew 4 varieties this spring and the only good results I had was the variety Thai Siam Queen. The least productive was Lemon Sweet Dani. Purple Ruffles did ok.
Id go with the previous poster who said the seeds were bad in the first place. You can often get duff seeds for herbs depending on where and more importantly when you get them.
I have been having the same issues trying to grow lemon basil. I have used fresh seeds, I have tried starts, each time using fresh sterile potting mix. I can grow other types and they do great but not the lemon. I am flustered ! :-?
