Bay tree

lizzykincaide · August 2022

I don't know what's happened to my standard bay tree. I thought they like the heat but this has been dying back for the past couple of months despite watering it. Will it recover? What do I need to do? Thanks

Dovefromabove · August 2022

There's heat and then there's HEAT, especially when the cuticle of the leaves isn't used to the amount of heat weve had recently.

Is it in a pot? How big and what sort of compost? How much water and how often?

This may be of some help
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2527148#Comment_2527148

and some more general stuff on bay tree care here
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2528430#Comment_2528430

lizzykincaide · August 2022

Dovefromabove said:

There's heat and then there's HEAT, especially when the cuticle of the leaves isn't used to the amount of heat weve had recently.

Is it in a pot? How big and what sort of compost? How much water and how often?

This may be of some help
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2527148#Comment_2527148

and some more general stuff on bay tree care here
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2528430#Comment_2528430

Hi Dove from Above

Thanks for the information.

It is in a large deep pot (just under a metre) in normal loose compost with good drainage. I water once a week normally on Summer. It has the sun on it all day and has been in this position for over five years. I replaced some of the topsoil last year.

lizzykincaide · August 2022

This is what it looked like earlier this year.

Dovefromabove · August 2022

When you say ‘normal loose compost’ is that ‘multi-purpose’ or a loam/soil-based mix?

lizzykincaide · August 2022

Think it was multi-purpose with sand added.

Dovefromabove · August 2022

Multipurpose compost really is only suitable for short term container planting such as vegetables and bedding plants.

I would gently scratch the bark on the stem with my thumbnail. If there’s a layer of green just below the surface then it’s still alive.

Give it a really good soaking and then repot it, replacing as much of the compost as possible with the mixture in my second link above.

Water as described in the same link and we’ll all cross our fingers 😊 🤞

Joyce Goldenlily · August 2022

I tried growing bay for several years with dismal results until I looked at where they grew wild. They seem to prefer heavy clay soils with plenty of moisture.
Light,quick drainage is not what they need. Nor do they like being overfed. I think I killed mine with overcosseting. I now have several rooted suckers doing well with very little attention. They seem to grow prolifically along the coast so sun does not seem to trouble them, water at the roots does.

B3 · August 2022

I think you're right @Joyce Goldenlily - if they are in the ground. We have one in heavy clay, South facing garden, baked regularly, never fed or watered. It's perfectly healthy.
However, I nearly lost a potted one by giving it the same treatment. In a pot, they need good drainage,watering and the odd feed. A moderately sheltered position with good sunlight but not subjected to blasting hot midsummer midday sun is ideal.

lizzykincaide · August 2022

Dovefromabove said:

Multipurpose compost really is only suitable for short term container planting such as vegetables and bedding plants.

I would gently scratch the bark on the stem with my thumbnail. If there’s a layer of green just below the surface then it’s still alive.
Give it a really good soaking and then repot it, replacing as much of the compost as possible with the mixture in my second link above.

Water as described in the same link and we’ll all cross our fingers 😊 🤞

Hi Dovefromabove.

I can't say it was easy scratching the surface off, in the end I used a knife. Is it dead?

Dovefromabove · August 2022

I’m afraid that doesn’t look too hopeful. 😢

Bay tree

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