Bay Tree Problems- HerbDay2007
Sara, from Farming Friends, contacted TopVeg for an on-line consultation about her sick Bay Tree. The leaves were developing black spots before turning brown and dropping off. Click the audio button to hear a podcast of the online clinic: Sara’s Bay
Sara emailed photos of the bay leaves at different stages of senescence and also a photo of the bay tree.
It does look an unhappy Bay Tree!! TopVeg thought the Bay Tree was pot bound, & suffering secondary symptoms from both over-watering and drought. The two extremes are difficult to avoid in pots. Planting the tree into the ground will make life easier for Sara and the tree. There will be a more reliable source of water, and the roots will remain cooler. Plant pots get very hot in the sun, which increases water loss from the soil in the pot.
After the on-line consultation, TopVeg recommended that the Bay Tree needs planting out into some fertile, well structured, free draining soil.
The site for the Bay Tree should be sheltered, away from cold winds. Bay trees like a sunny position.
Hopefully Sara realised the problem in time, and the Bay Tree will make a good recovery. Sara has promised to send TopVeg a photo of the Bay Tree in full health next year!
Click the Any Questions? link in the left hand margin (under Pages) if you have a question for TopVeg. Send your question in, or book a Skype consultation.
Thank you so much for this online consultation. It’s great to talk through my gardening problems with an expert, so thanks for the advice.
Sara from farmingfriends
Comment by farmingfriends - October 13, 2007 6:38 pm
What does senescence mean?
Sara from farmingfriends
Comment by farmingfriends - October 18, 2007 11:33 am
Hi Sara
Senescence is when the green leaves and stalks start to die down. Sorry to use long words and thanks for asking!
Comment by TopVeg - October 18, 2007 1:13 pm
Hi
I’m wondering if you could help me? I have a bay tree in a large pot on my front porch. The problem the last month is that the leaves are being eaten at an alarming rate! Any ideas what this could be and how I can stop it?
I look forward to your reply.
Many thanks
Cheryl Carr
Comment by Mrs Carr - July 2, 2008 7:06 pm
Hi Cheryl
Sorry to hear that something is eating your bay leaves. Is there any damage on the leaves? Are they being nibbled from the edge, are there holes in the middle of the leaf, or is the whole leaf disappearing?
Please let us know what the signs are and we will see what we can do!
Comment by TopVeg - July 3, 2008 6:13 am
Hi Topveg,
I have a reader (Alan) who has a similar problem with his baytree as myself he said,”could you please tell me what to do with my bay trees they have been moved out of pots into garden but now the leaves have gone yellow and started to look spindley”
Do you have any advice for him?
Thanks
Sara @ farmingfriends
Comment by farmingfriends - September 6, 2008 12:05 pm
Hi Sara
I am sorry your bay is not doing well. These are the suggestions I have for you and Alan -
Something has upset the bay tree - and it is not happy. It could be:
* too much water. We have had a wet year. Is the drainage good under the tree, so that the water can get away?
* nutrition - Is the tree in reasonably fertile soil? It may need some plant food or it could be suffering from a lack of iron in the soil. It is possible to buy iron fertiliser.
* climate - is it in a cold, windy position? If so, try to provide shelter.
* insects - Bay sucker (Trioza alacris) spoils the bay leaves. Bay tree leaves thicken and curl at the margins and turn yellow. The discoloured areas later dry up and become brown.
The infected leaves should be picked off & got rid of & badly affected shoots can be pruned out.
HTH
Comment by TopVeg - September 6, 2008 10:09 pm