Every year, the August sun’s rays can burn basil plants . The leaves, usually green and very fragrant, become yellowish, dry out and eventually fall.
Fortunately, there are ways to recover the plant. And with a little patience, it can be healthy and green again. Discover all the advice from great gardeners.
Finishing of dry parts
The first thing to do is remove the parts of the basil that have been burned by the sun. To do this, use clean scissors or simply remove them with your hands.
Removing these dry parts is important to stimulate the plant to produce new twigs and leaves . It is also a preventive remedy against the spread of infections, which can spread to all parts of the plant.
If the burn damage is too extensive and the plant struggles to recover, you need to contact a professional.
Pot the plant
When basil was left in the sun for too long, the soil was also damaged. By becoming very dry, it lost its natural ability to absorb water.
It is therefore advisable to replace it by repotting the plant in new soft, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil.
To do this, carefully remove the plant from the old root ball, being careful not to break the roots.
The water in the basin
After repotting, you must let the plant recover from sunburn and the change of pot.
To do this, use the hip method . Of course the name doesn’t tell you anything, but it is a very simple remedy.
Simply grab a basin or use the optional sink. Fill it with about 5-8 cm of water. Then soak the pot of basil for about 20-25 minutes.
Meanwhile, the plant will absorb all the water it needs through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
Nitrogen feeding
After removing all the burnt and dried parts, the basil plant may look a little thin and wilted. It is necessary to stimulate the growth of new branches and leaves.
It is therefore necessary to fertilize the plant with fertilizers with a high nitrogen concentration . This substance is useful for the development and growth of the plant.
You can therefore use natural fertilizers that contain this element in large quantities such as coffee grounds to be spread directly on the ground or egg shells to be chopped up and also spread on the ground.