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. :-)

By: Marketman

Marketman — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 07:08:22 +0000

Ging, thanks for those tips. I have to agree with the pruning…the gardener recently cut the main stem and shoots have started to emerge… I thought the plant was going to die!

By: Ging

Ging — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 07:04:50 +0000

I have two kinds of bay leaves I got from Spain. The best way to keep them bushy is by cutting/harvesting the top new leaves frequently, just before they turn dark green. It will also help the plant if some lower leaves are pinched off regularly, especially ones that have shown disease, withering, or have simply stayed small. My bay leaves are slow-growing, but can’t complain much. I live in Quezon City and grow herbs along with ornamentals.

I use my bay leaves fresh, adobo, paella, arroz a la cubana, etc. The store-bought dried leaves are stronger, but I suspect they may have been artificially “enhanced”.

By: Shay

Shay — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:31:34 +0000

I chance upon your website looking for a Pinoy term for bay leaf! Alas, stumbled in your page. And for a while, I thought I was reading a wikipedia stub. Very informative! Didn’t think that a laurel plant can be that outrageously expensive. I normally go back to Philippines just to buy one. haha nice blog! will be dropping by again!

By: Marketman

Marketman — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:29:56 +0000

Sorry Colleen and Ginny, I have no idea what is wrong with your bay leaf plant. Being based in Manila, if you are in the states I would have even less idea as the variety of bay is different I think…

By: colleen walker

colleen walker — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:50:38 +0000

I was looking for a response to the question from Ginny on March 20th 207. My bay leaf plant is just now showing black around the edges of the leaves. What is it and what can I do? Please email to the above addy as soon as you can…. I LOVE this plant and so do my recipes!

Thank you!