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Bay problem

MessynessyMessynessy Posts: 81
in Plants
The new leaves on my established bay tree are growing strangely and not looking healthy. I can’t remember when I last pruned it but I only took off a foot max. It’s roughly 2 metres tall.  

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited March 2022
    It's probably Bay Sucker insects.
    I had one that got it quite often. I trim off the worst of it and cross my fingers. I've never sprayed it as I do use the leaves (but not the manky ones!).
    It doesn't seem to do any real damage to the plant, but it doesn't look nice.
    Some info here from the RHS may help
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/bay-sucker

    PS - a drench of seaweed extract once a month will help your bay fight off the blighters and aid recovery

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    You may receive help when the weather warms up....


  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Mine gets them every year (suckers).  I just pull off any leaves that have curled over and keep the tree fed and watered and happy. 

    With that and the wasps it doesn't seem to stop the tree from living a happy life.  Mine's about to flower for the first time.
  • MessynessyMessynessy Posts: 81
    Thank you. I had no idea it was a pest problem! I thought I had damaged it by pruning incorrectly. I’ll give it some seaweed and let nature run its course. I don’t like to use any pesticides either. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    A good stiff squirt with a hose  will get rid  of a lot of them. You get a satisfying milky runoff sometimes.
    A strong jet won't do the plant any harm. ( not a pressure washer!)
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • MessynessyMessynessy Posts: 81
    Thanks. I’ll try that too. 
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