At 10:12 PM 4/1/98 +0000, you wrote: >Bad news about the spread of the disease in basil. > >I talked with two good-sized commercial growers in my area today. They >both reported their first experience with Fusarium in their basil stock. >Both are using certified seed from Johnny's. One of the growers is >certified organic and particularly interested in tracking the spread in >the commercial seed supply. > >Johnny's is a great supplier, and as far as I know Johnny's and Richters >have been the leaders in identifying the threat to basil and institutiing >certification standards. Johnny's has said that even with certificated >seed, there is no guarantee that seed won't be contaminated. > >So, if you're growing basil this season, pay really close attention to the >condition of the seedlings. If even a single seedling/plant looks "sickly" >I'd advise you destroy the plant and replace surrounding soil immediately >to try and contain the spread of disease > >Catharine for whom a season without basil would be miserable indeed > Catharine, thank you for this information. How early in the seedlings' development does the fusarium show up? Thanks, Margaret