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Some of the thai basils stems on the top turns red, what does it mean?

sinderyt151R93x17HKsinderyt151R93x17HK Posts: 99
in Fruit & veg
So ive allowed my basil to grow for about 2 months now under a grow light inside without pruning it to much, Theyre about 45cm in lenght. i have lemon basil,holy basil and thai basil growing in the same pot, but only the thai basil is turning red/brownish.

googling it doesnt give me much answers other then the basil might turn into wood? so was hoping someone in here have a proper answer, im not to woried that its something bad as then im sure it would affect the other basil in same pot.

but as im new to growing i would like to know why it turns red/brownish for future knowledge. 
Indoor grower due to our cold climate in Norway

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think it’s just what that variety does as the stems become more mature. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. 😊

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Correct @Dovefromabove   It’s normal, and some of the stalk and flowers are also the same colour.  
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Some of the leaves appear to have speckles on them (first and second pics).
    It may just be leaf glands or a touch of oedema, but worth checking out the underside of the leaves with a magnifying glass to check there are no bugs.

    I have seen stems go red on my Thai basil before - I don't think it's a problem.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • sinderyt151R93x17HKsinderyt151R93x17HK Posts: 99
    Pete.8 said:
    Some of the leaves appear to have speckles on them (first and second pics).
    It may just be leaf glands or a touch of oedema, but worth checking out the underside of the leaves with a magnifying glass to check there are no bugs.

    I have seen stems go red on my Thai basil before - I don't think it's a problem.
    There some whiteflies time to time, i have a insect spray i spray on the basil and they die instantly, but its like they said in the flowerstore when i bough the insect spray they will always keep coming back. but its way less whiteflies as it was before i used insect spray. But il take a closer look with a magnifying glass.
    Indoor grower due to our cold climate in Norway
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I know from your previous posts that you use lot of basil.
    Are you sure that whatever you're spraying them with that kills aphids instantly has no toxic ingredients? If you're eating the leaves you could be doing yourself a lot of harm.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • sinderyt151R93x17HKsinderyt151R93x17HK Posts: 99
    edited October 2020
    Pete.8 said:
    I know from your previous posts that you use lot of basil.
    Are you sure that whatever you're spraying them with that kills aphids instantly has no toxic ingredients? If you're eating the leaves you could be doing yourself a lot of harm.
    i clean the leaves before i eat them, and i asked the flower store the same question since it was for food and he said it was approved by some government to be safe, so it shouldnt contain any toxic ingredients towards the plant that will kill it or to me aslong i clean it, im not spraying alot of it either only when i see flies, i spray and then wait like a week. 

    The bottle i use probably wont understand the text there, but it says it contains Pyrethrin and Colza oil. i explained him it was for basil, so this was the best indoor spray according to him approved by some health government i cant remember the name of. 
    Indoor grower due to our cold climate in Norway
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I can't advise as to its safety.
    Pyrethrum is derived from a plant and is an insecticide.
    The other ingredient is Rapeseed oil, which isn't harmful and I use in cooking.
    So at least some of it is safe :)
    Good luck

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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