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bay laurel

betty_rockwell's picture

bay laurel (post #12747)

betty_rockwell on Wed, 06/13/2001 - 18:42
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bought a bay tree (approximately 12") a few months ago and it is not thriving. From beginning leaves have appearance of being eaten, very clean breaks at end, sides and occasionally chunks out. New growth continues but have noticed very fine black "pepper" marks on back of leaves now. In south window and doing all the books say as far as moisture, food, etc. It's looking skinnier so I think the rate of new growth is slowing or losing. My local garden shop man couldn't identify the problem from the leaves I took in and it's been too cold to take the plant. He was confused, and needless to say, I definetly am!!! ?????

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ruth_lively's picture

(post #12747, reply #1 of 7)

by ruth_lively in reply to betty_rockwell [original] on Mon, 03/13/2000 - 14:59

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Hi, Betty.

I don't know what the little black dots are, but I've seen them before. Maybe they're frass (bug poop) from some kind of caterpillar that may be (or have been) eating your bay leaves.

Don't worry too much about lack of growth. Tisn't the season just yet. Your bay tree has been dormant over the winter, but soon it should want to start pushing out new leaves. You can wipe the leaves, top and bottom, with tepid water with just a drop or two of liquid dish soap in it. Then spray with clean water to remove soap residue. Do that a couple of times, a week apart, and that should take care of a lot of the problem.

caroljmiller's picture

(post #12747, reply #2 of 7)

by caroljmiller in reply to Anonymous [original] on Mon, 11/13/2000 - 17:55

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Bay Leaf or Laurus nobilis(sweet bay) My 3 year old bay leaf plant has really bit the dust--literally. We left for a 5 week vacation and that is the one potted plant I neglected to point out to the person watering the yard and its green shiny leaves are all very dark tan and the stems are redish brown. Question: Is it safe to use those brown leaves as one does regular green bay? They smell just fine.

ruth_lively's picture

(post #12747, reply #3 of 7)

by ruth_lively in reply to Anonymous [original] on Tue, 11/14/2000 - 15:00

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Hi, Carol. Sorry to hear about the demise of your bay tree. I hope your vacation was nice enough to offset the loss of the bay!

Yes, you can use the leaves --- they have only been naturally dried! And if you cut back into the stems and see a hint of green, the plant might be able to come back from the roots. I've had that happen with VERY wilted bay trees.

Good luck.

shelly's picture

(post #12747, reply #4 of 7)

by shelly in reply to Anonymous [original] on Sat, 01/27/2001 - 12:54

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I'm doing just what I said I'd never do--I've got several container plants growing that are not hardy in my zone 4; hauling in each winter. My little Bay tree is on its third winter and about 4 feet tall. I had intended to make it a more Bonsai form but its sort of narrow vase habit is not inspiring me. However I did feel pretty important walking into the living room the other evening to harvest 3 leaves for the pot of simmering chili on the stove. I think the little darling paid for itself in that single moment of harvest!! Shelly

Susan_Kosloff's picture

(post #12747, reply #5 of 7)

by Susan_Kosloff in reply to Anonymous [original] on Fri, 06/08/2001 - 17:46

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I have just today received my two bay laurel plants from Nichols Garden Nursery, without checking about zone hardiness (oops). I live in the Sacramento Valley, which is, I think, zone 7 or 8. Can I plant these little trees directly in the ground or should they be potted? I am assuming they are winter hardy here, as I have seen bay trees growing naturally in other parts of the valley. Any advice?

ruth_lively's picture

(post #12747, reply #6 of 7)

by ruth_lively in reply to Anonymous [original] on Wed, 06/13/2001 - 18:42

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Hi, Susan. I would think your bays would be fine planted in the ground. They do very well in climates where there are occasional frosts.

maryal's picture

(post #12747, reply #7 of 7)

by maryal in reply to Anonymous [original] on Wed, 09/13/2006 - 17:49

I started with a free pencil sized bay palnt about 10 years ago - after babying it in the house for 3 years - I tranferred it to a pot outside where it remained for the next 3 years. When we purchased a small acerage in the pacific northwest (zone 7) it went into the ground ro survive or not. I am happy to say it is now 6 feet tall and full - even surving a winter where some of the Rosemary did not.  It fine to push the envelope and give new things a try - I just tend to do it with more inexpensive starts, not the ones I I have paid dearly for.