Problems with pot plants

[MaxMustermann]

Hi all,

I'm new to this NG just as new to 'gardening'! I wouldn't call it gardening because all I have are some flowers and herbs in various pots in the balcony!

I have the following herbs: mint, basil, parsley & thyme.

I live in Germany and it's getting quite a little bit cold now and it rains day in day out.

I was a couple of weeks away and came back to notice some strange things on and around the plants.

1. The mint has many leaves with tiny black/brown spots on them. When I rub them they sort of go away but a brownish stain remains. I don't know if the rain splattered soil onto the leaves or it's some kind of infection.

1. I bought the basil plant some 3 weeks ago, and noticed that it started withering quickly so I took the best leaves. Yesterday I noticed that there's some sort of white dust on the leaves and stems. When I flick the stems or blow on them it flies away. I guess is some sort of fungues... dunno!

2. I also noticed that there are cobwebs on and around the plants. What's the best method to get rid of them and the spiders.

Anyone can help on any or all of my above problems?? I would really appreciate it!

Thanks, Max

[Mark Anderson]

I wish I could have problems with pot plants but we can't grow them here in the good 'ol USA. :-)

[MaxMustermann]

The plants are in pots and not POT!!!

I did some research and it looks like an aphid invasion. I don't know from where they cropped up!!

Anyways... I did the following:

1. Cut all affected leaves and stems (mint will grow just the same)
2. Made a mixture of 1tbsp dish-washing liquid and 1 quart water and sprayed on the mint.

I hope this solves the problem. Would the leaves still be edible?

Thanks, Max

[K & B]

Hi Max, I'm like you, new to gardening so I started small with herbs in pots (in Washington state). I found aphids on my plants last week, they almost destroyed my cilantro but I think just started in on my mint and basil. Didn't see any on the thyme. I sprayed them down with water a couple days ago, and it looks like they're gone from everything except the mint. I'll try to spray the mint again today, then I guess start cutting or spray with soap like you did. I was wondering too if the chemicals would affect the use of herbs in cooking. Aphids are not my favorite part of learning about gardening!

Good luck, Kimberly

[MaxMustermann]

I have to say that I sprayed them with some kind of anti-aphid spray that I found in the cupboard!!

They are mostly gone but there are still a few hanging in there. I'm going to wait a few days and see how the mint reacts to the treatment. If there are still aphids on the mint, I'm going to cut off all leaves (even the healthy ones) and the affected stems.

Just for you info... when I noticed the problem I immediately cut off some clean stems and placed them in a glass full of water. The trick is to wait a couple of weeks till white roots grow and I'll plant them again :)

Max