My poor basil needs some help

[Faery-Wings]

I have in it a pot, and it gets mostly full sun. It was doing well until last week when we had a whole week of rain. Most of the leaves died, and it was really droopy a few days ago. I pulled the dead leaves off ( I hate doing that, why do I always feel like I am hurting the poor dear?) and it seems to be perking up just this much *holding thumb and forefinger a bit apart*

What else can I do for it? I would hate to see it die.

Chris, black thumb emerging

[Kaylara]

Check to see if the soil is too wet... It's roots will rot if the soil is too wet, and then the plant will die.

Kaylara

[Greenthumb]

Is it in a terra-cotta(?) pot?
I really like terra-cotta during wet times of the year. It is quick to absorb water, But it also dries rather quickly.(not so good during drought and extreme heat) Also, adding some sand to the soil may help with drainage.
I know it is hard, and I hate to do it too, but in my location it is time to cut back some of the herbs, and if your baby is significantly stressed you might just want to go ahead and give it a little hair-cut.
Sometimes the medicine tastes REALLY bad, but we sure feel better for doing it right?
Good-luck & Peace
greenthumb

[Lavender]

Basils are funny that way...they love hot & sunny & need lots of water but don't like their roots soggy. Let the soil dry out a bit before giving it more water. If you can, put it in a warm sunny spot to dry out a bit.

[Faery-Wings]

I think the rain did it :( He is in a large plastic pot. I will try to get a terra cotta one tomorrow. If he is still perking up, is it ok to transfer him to the new pot or should I wait a while longer? And I guess from now on, I'll bring him under my porch roof when it rains.

Chris

[Greenthumb]

If it's roots are truly water logged, I probably would not wait too long to remove it from the pot. Even if you don't replant it today, it should be fine to remove the plant from pot, carefully remove most of soggy soil from the roots(if there is any)wrap the roots in moist but not drenched paper-towel/news paper and put him in a pail for awhile-up to a day or so.
Of course you might want to run that by the basil first- I find that most plants are great at letting you know their needs. I have had success at this treatment on several plants, but yours may be more touchy than mine! Good luck
peace

greenthumb

[Faery-Wings]

He lives!!! :)

I have him in a smaller terra cotta pot, added some more sand to the soil, and have been bringing him under the overhang of the porch (my *real* porch LOL) when it rains. He is back standing up and is even getting some new growth!

Thanks so much all of you!

Chris

[Lavender]

Good to hear!