Saturday 2 November 2013

Re-potted Bay trees - a success story

In March this year I wrote about re-potting two Bay trees which were looking very sickly. In this post I want to show you the result it achieved.

This is the "before" situation, showing one of the trees in its original state - with a very sparse covering of dull pale yellow leaves:


After considerable exertions, I managed to extract the two trees from their terracotta pots and re-plant them into much larger plastic pots, adding fresh compost and plenty of general-purpose plant food:


Since then, I have been administering a good level of TLC to these trees, watering them frequently (especially during the spell of exceptionally hot dry weather we had in July) and giving them a dose of liquid feed every so often. They have responded well to the treatment. Just look at this, which is the same tree as the one in my first photo above:


The tree now has loads of fresh leaves, and they are a nice dark glossy green! I have trimmed a few of the twigs too, endeavouring to achieve a nice "lollipop" shape. More work is needed on this, but we're getting there.


The other tree is also much improved, though its lower branches still have fewer leaves than I would like.


By next Summer I think these trees will be back on top form again. Note to self: next time don't leave it so long before re-potting! Actually, come to think of it, it will be VERY difficult to re-pot them again in a few years' time. How big would the containers need to be?? Maybe I'll start some cuttings now, so that I can begin again with a new generation of Bay trees. Does anyone know what is the best time of year to take Bay cuttings?

9 comments:

  1. It's transformed Mark.One of the problems of growing in pots if how big a pot do you go to. I'm wondering about our pot grown fruit trees!

    By the way your update has stopped appearing on my blog list wonder if anyone else's are doing the same?

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  2. I wish I could have bay trees, but for me it would have to be a house plant. I tend to kill all house plants but my trusty aloe. Bay is one of my favorite seasonings in the winter.

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  3. Well, now I wonder if we can grow them here? Anyway, they look great now and I know you are glad you repotted. I have some that need repotting here myself.

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  4. I love bay trees, they are some of my favourites. Yours are looking fantastic now. I've taken lots of cuttings from mine - you could probably do it now. I stick them in a pot inside a plastic bag on a north-facing windowsill and forget about them for a few months.

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  5. They look fabulous!! Do you keep them inside over winter? I would like to have my own next year; however, I am a bit afraid of its wintering...

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    1. Dominika, No, I don't keep them indoors over Winter. I have nowhere to do this. I have a garage, but it is too dark in there. The Bay trees don't seem to mind the cold too much.

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    2. Thank you, it seems that I will give bay tree a try!

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  6. They are beautiful! There is noo need to re-pot them every time in the bigger pot. Just try to remove old soil from the roots and plant back with the new. I am going to do this tomorrow with my bay tree.

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    1. Easier said than done! I had enough trouble getting them out of the old pots...

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