Tulsi plant winter care: Saving the basil plant in winter seems no less than a challenge. As soon as cold winds start blowing, dew drops start freezing on the leaves and the condition of the plant gradually starts weakening. Many times people are unable to understand what mistake is happening. When you wake up in the morning and go to the balcony, you find the leaves yellow, withered and sometimes even the roots are damaged. Every year in winter, the same question trends on social media that how to keep Tulsi alive. In such a situation, gardener Neelam Dhingra has given some easy and free home remedies by which you can protect your basil plant from cold, dew and fungus without any expense. These methods are so easy that anyone can apply them immediately and results are visible quickly. If you also want your basil to remain fresh and green throughout the winter, then this guide will be very useful for you.
Why do dew and cold spoil the condition of plants?
In winter, morning dew has a direct effect on the leaves. Water accumulates on the leaves which burns them in cold temperatures. Gradually the leaves turn yellow and start falling and the plant becomes weak. Also, the soil remains wet for a long time in winter, due to which the chances of fungus growth increases due to excess moisture in the roots. This is the reason why the Tulsi plant starts drying up in many homes by December-January.
Free pieces and yellow powder: a way to strengthen roots in winter
According to Neelam Dhingra, to keep the plant alive in winter, the most important thing is to make its roots strong. For this, remove the top 2 inches of soil from the pot with a spoon. Now take the aloe vera leaf present in the house and make small pieces of it and put it in the soil. Aloe vera provides nutrients to the roots, balances moisture and prevents fungus.
After this, lightly sprinkle turmeric i.e. yellow powder in the soil. Turmeric is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent that protects the roots from rotting in cold. These two things not only give the plant the strength to withstand cold but also maintain the balance of bacteria in the soil. Finally, put the removed soil back and cover the plant. By doing just this, the roots of the plant become strong to a great extent.
Easy plastic method to protect from dew
Due to accumulation of dew on basil leaves, they rot quickly. To stop this, you just need four thin twigs or wooden sticks. Bury them at the four corners of the pot. Now cover them with a transparent plastic sheet or a light sack and tie it with tape at the edges.
This has two benefits
- Dew does not fall directly on the leaves.
- During the day, plastic traps heat inside, which makes the plant feel less cold.
- Keep in mind to open it a little during the day so that air keeps flowing and the plant does not suffocate.
- Get rid of black insects and mealybugs: effective formula of neem oil
In winter, black insects, white mealybugs or sticky insects grow more on basil. The easiest way to remove them is neem oil. Fill water in a spray bottle, add 5 to 10 drops of neem oil and add half a teaspoon of liquid soap. Soap helps the oil spread on the leaves.
Spray this spray on basil in the evening. Neem oil penetrates deep inside the leaves and kills the insects and does not allow them to come back. Repeating this once a week gives very good results.
Do not make this mistake while watering
Most of the people water Tulsi daily even in cold weather, due to which the roots start rotting. The plant needs very little water during the winter season. Do not water until the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry. Excess water is the main cause of fungus. Always water in the morning so that the soil can dry during the day.
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