I’d hazard a guess that the white bits are where the leaves have recently been nibbled and the black bits are where they were nibbled earlier and have now died back a bit.
As to what might be doing the nibbling I can't say. You don’t want to spray them with insecticide - not at all good for you. So, I’d suggest you pick them off and hope that the nibbler moves on to another plant.
Apophthegm - a big word for a small thought. If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
I think it may be aphids so have a look and see if you can spot them. As PF says, remove all affected leaves and destroy them. You may be able to rinse off any eggs or aphids left o the rest of the plant and then you need to keep an eye out every day and squish any that return with your fingers.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Could it be due to lack of light? They are on a south facing window but only get maybe 1 or 2hrs if sunlight a day since the sun is so low. They have all died since I removed some leaves.
Basil comes from Thailand, so for it to grow well you want lots of light and warmth - not easy in December in the UK. If you try with them again, keep them in a sunny position in the day, and keep them warm when the sun is down and not too much water. I just grow basil in the summer months in my greenhouse but if I need fresh in the winter I buy it.
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I'd agree with Pete - it's nigh on impossible to grow it here in the winter. If you wannt to have fresh basil through winter, another way of doing it is to grow loads more in summer, then freeze it. It's not so good for sprinkling on anything, as it breaks down when defrosted, but it's ideal for stirring into a dish at the end of cooking.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree with Philippa, it grows so easy from seed it’s not worth keeping it over winter. Sow seeds in succession. probably white fly in the OP’s photo.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
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As to what might be doing the nibbling I can't say. You don’t want to spray them with insecticide - not at all good for you. So, I’d suggest you pick them off and hope that the nibbler moves on to another plant.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
If you try with them again, keep them in a sunny position in the day, and keep them warm when the sun is down and not too much water.
I just grow basil in the summer months in my greenhouse but if I need fresh in the winter I buy it.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
If you wannt to have fresh basil through winter, another way of doing it is to grow loads more in summer, then freeze it. It's not so good for sprinkling on anything, as it breaks down when defrosted, but it's ideal for stirring into a dish at the end of cooking.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
probably white fly in the OP’s photo.