Burning My Basil?

[SprigOfTheLivingDead]

So I cloned some of my thai basil from my garden and brought it inside to my tent for the winter. After bringing it in I am seeing a lot of yellowing on the leaves and brown/black spots. I have a 1000w HPS running in my tent around 2.5' above the basil. Am I burning them? Would a 600w be better? Would a metal halide bulb be better suited? -- I was actually thinking last month of moving towards a 600w MH setup.

So, anyone else with some thai basil experience with overwinter growing that can speak up here? I'm glad to post more pics for clarity if needed.

 

[ninnymary]

Jackb is an expert on lights for the greenhouse. Hopefully he'll chime in soon.

Mary

 

[digitS']

Looks real rough, Sprig'.

Cooked, cold ... should be black if it's cold, I'd think.

Yes, @jackb reads this forum .

Steve

 

[SprigOfTheLivingDead]

Cold isn't an issue, the setup is in my basement 10' away from where I sit and watch my favorite talkies, or whatever the kids call them these days.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i've seen mint & basil do that before. sometimes the old leaves that are used to the outdoor light will do that. new leaves that acclimate to the new light will start to form.

 

[SprigOfTheLivingDead]

i've seen mint & basil do that before. sometimes the old leaves that are used to the outdoor light will do that. new leaves that acclimate to the new light will start to form.

Thanks for the info, @Chickie'sMomaInNH. Hoping it's nothing more serious. I haven't replaced my light from last season yet, but I was also up in the air about switching to MH as well, so was waiting, so it could also be due to an old bulb

 

[jackb]

If you are planning to switch to MH, I assume you are now using HPS. MH is best for vegetative growth, while HPS is best to induce flowering; however 1000 watts is overkill for basil. You could use fluorescent to grow basil, like a 6400k T5, and save some money on your electric bill. I can not tell what is wrong with your basil, as I don't grow it often, but have never seen that problem when I do. If you have a meter, basil will do fine with about 600-700 foot candles.
jackb

 

[SprigOfTheLivingDead]

If you are planning to switch to MH, I assume you are now using HPS. MH is best for vegetative growth, while HPS is best to induce flowering; however 1000 watts is overkill for basil. You could use fluorescent to grow basil, like a 6400k T5, and save some money on your electric bill. I can not tell what is wrong with your basil, as I don't grow it often, but have never seen that problem when I do. If you have a meter, basil will do fine with about 600-700 foot candles.
jackb

I also have hot peppers growing. I do use some 6500k t5s in my seedling bay, but it's just for seedlings as it's a short area on my shelves

 

[jackb]

The basil might not even be worth saving. Basil is easy to start and grows quickly, so you might consider one like Burpee's Plenty. It is the best variety I have ever grown.

http://www.burpee.com/herbs/basil/basil-plenty-prod001076.html