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[INDOOR-GARDENING:48] Re: Bay Laurel tree

In a message dated 1/20/99 12:32:54 AM Eastern Standard Time, reed@vci.net
writes:

<< I am in Kentucky, and last year I brought my bay outside during the summer,
 but the leaves dried so badly, and didn't survive.  I kept it watered daily,
 but the sun was probably too intense for it.  I was wondering how you have
 succeeded with yours. >>

Hi again Jennifer - The bay leaf likes early am sun here and afternoon shade.
It will take quite a lot of shade, full sun is too much even in the north.

I keep it in a cool (50 degrees) plant room from September until May.  Since
that room has plenty of light I water the pot after allowing it to dry out to
the top inch or so.  I prune my bay leaf severely or it would be too large for
the house.  I do not feed in the dark months.   This plant likes to start into
growth long before it can go outside.  I prune back two thirds of the new
growth.  In summer it stays on a screened porch.

The bay leaf has the annoying fault of browning up the lower edges of the
leaves. These leaves then persist for a year or more looking shabby.  You can
trim the browned edge off with scissors to preserve the shape of the leaf and
it will look good for many more months.  If you can spray a a fine spray of
water on the tree while indoors as often as you think of it, that is
beneficial.

Clipping into shapes and using in pots is a time honored use of laurus
nobilis.  A completely defoliated plant will refoliate if given cool and moist
conditions, do try again.  You certainly have a gentler climate than we do.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
z4
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