Comments on: Sweet Bay Leaves / Laurel

By: Eduvie

Eduvie — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:47:00 +0000

Can someone tell me whdere I can buy a live Sweet Bay Leaf plant in the Atlanta, GA area or via internet to be shipped to me. I really need one in my herb garden. Pls e-mail me the info @ edholdings@gmail.com

Thank you.

Ed.

By: J. Hoiseth

J. Hoiseth — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:55:05 +0000

Just a concern about your mentioning California Bay. This is taken from the Herb Society of America’s Guide on Laurus Nobilis (Bay Laurel):

Umbellularia californica – California Bay

California bay or California Laurel is very similar to Laurus nobilis, and some forms of both are superficially identical but readily separable by chemical and microscopic botanical characters. California bay would be a great bay substitute for cooking were it not for the fact that is has no GRAS status and the principal constituent, umbellulone, is toxic to the central nervous system when eaten and causes convulsive sneezing, headaches, and sinus irritation when inhaled deeply. Despite this, some companies market California bay,
and some Californians insist this is the only bay. Other than that, California bay is a great ornamental troubled by few insects and other pests (deer usually avoid it unless starving.)

By: Bonnie J

Bonnie J — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:36:38 +0000

My bay leaf tree which I bought about four years ago as a 12″ plant is now at least three feet. It has been exceptionally healthy until the past winter and has been dropping leaves in droves. I have repotted it, hoping to overcome the problem.
What can I do to preserve it until I can put it outdoors in a pot again. Could it be the dry air in the house in winter?
Anyone have any helpful suggestions, please let me know.

By: rasta

rasta — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:45:14 +0000

how much does a bay leaf plant cost now a days in the philippines?? please can anyone tell me?? email me at redcap_02@yahoo.com thanks.. and peace

By: Ging

Ging — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:16:35 +0000

Use the cut branches for propation. A good 4-6 inch cutting will do. Trim off lower leaves, plant cuttngs in a small plastic pot. Cover with a “mini greenhouse” i.g. large plastic softdrink bottles ghalf and the top portion use t cover the protruding cutting. Let halved plastic bottle stay for a month! It keeps moisture in for a good time. Water frequenty. Place under semi-shade. Yes, they take a long time to root. Remove bottle “greenhouse” after a good 3 weeks. Water regularly. When up and happy, your 4 inch seedling is now ready to be transfered to a bigger pot with well draining soil on the ground. 75 to 80% success rate. I use Mediterranea or Enrico available at Greenhearts garden shop in QC.

I’ll post photos of the steps and my thriving bays. I have olive trees from Spain too. Maybe 10+ years from now I’ll know if they will bear fruit. Then I’ll figure out how to salt pickle them. :-)