Basil grown to flower is one of the best-kept secrets in the cutting garden. The tiny white blooms on long branching stems add a delicate filler that smells extraordinary in an arrangement. Start from seed indoors 6 weeks before last frost or direct sow when soil is warm. The key: pinch the central stem early and often to create a bushy plant with many flowering stems.
Fusarium wilt
Sudden wilting, brown streaks in stems, yellowing leaves. Affects sweet basil varieties most.
No cure. Remove and destroy plants. Do not replant in the same spot for 3+ years. Choose resistant varieties.
Downy mildew
Yellowing on top of leaves with grey-purple fuzz underneath. Spreads rapidly in humid conditions.
Remove affected leaves. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Copper spray as preventive.