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Aphids on basil plant?

LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
in Problem solving
I’ve lost a few basil plants that I’m growing over winter on my kitchen window cill from cuttings, they drop their leaves and die off.

Thought it was mildew on the leaves but zooming into this photo they are covered in little bugs, are these aphids?




Posts

  • alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OFalexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF Posts: 163
    edited March 2023
    They look like it to me. I've overwintered a couple of basil plants. They dont ever look too happy and they keep trying to flower instead of giving me nice leaves. The leaves yellowed a bit now and again and dropped off. I presumed with mildew but I never inspected for aphids. They continue to battle through though. I took a cutting of one and its a bit healthier than the woodier overwintered ones. 
    Happy Gardening
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    Where abouts do you over winter them? In the house?

    Mine are African blue basil which are sterile and non hardy so I have to bring indoors over winter and I take cuttings as a safety measure. The more mature plants are unaffected by the aphids, they clearly prefer the young cuttings. 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Would it be possible for you to upend the plants in a bowl of water with washing up liquid. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    If you, or anyone near you, already has rhubarb in leaf, the leaves can be boiled, allowed to cool, and the fluid drained off.  Putting that into a cast off domestic spray bottle will enable you to spray the aphids.  The leaves are poisonous so it will be advisable to wash any food item thoroughly before use.  I always save a containerful each summer to combat any early infestations the following spring.
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    I sprayed them with a solution of water & washing up liquid and they seem to be looking much better now.

    I didn't know that about rhubarb nick615, I have plenty growing in my garden so might give that a try, thanks.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Yes,  LeadFarmer,  It's always worked for me, hence my advice.  I think we all have a responsibility to only advocate what we do ourselves.  The big problem with aphids is that their period of activity is far longer than that of rhubarb.  That's why I save some for out of season use.  Good luck.
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