In article ,
George Orwell wrote:

I am trying to grow basil in containers with a mix of sphagum peat moss
and perlite (2:1), pH adjusted to 6 with horticultural lime. The last
two times, my plants did not look good after reaching about 4 or 5
inches. They get spots of silvery stuff on the leaves. This is
accompanied by tiny black spots and the plant growth slows to a crawl.
After close inspection, I don't think that it is any kind of insect. I
am feeding with a VERY dilute balanced nutrient solution with
micronutrients with every watering letting top of the soil dry before
watering again. I have also had this problem with my spearmint (although
it doesn't seem to bother the mint much) and patchouli (just starting to
happen here). Any ideas??
--

Hello George!

I'd consider going to an animal farm and or at least get some real
compost. Gardening is about death, decay and transformation back into
life. If you prefer sterile growing conditions good luck! It's sort
of like children growing up without bugs and dirt and the increase in
asthma. Can be done but is difficult and some folk's like a challenge.

Get dirty.

Bill

--
Zone 5 In South Jersey USA Shade
Consider all sorts of music at http://xpn.org/
"No Progress without contraries" William Blake.