Of all the herbs in the world , bay tree is one I conceive should be in every garden . Not just because it ’s delicious , but also because the works make a lovely addition to the garden all year round with their beautiful evergreen plant leaves . With a petty maintenance and attention , grow bay – aka Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel – is easy and plants can last a lifetime with little fuss . As if that was n’t enough to recommend it , bay has wellness benefits galore .
Bay supply a characteristic smell to many hearty dish antenna and is peculiarly good with lamb and beef . It ’s also one of the key ingredients in a bouquet garni , and as any chef will recount you , no kitchen is complete without that .
While this hardy shrub is best suited to warmer climate , it lend itself nicely to container ontogenesis , so do n’t give up on your bay dreaming if you go on to subsist in a colder arena .
Bay Varieties
There are multiple different kinds of bay laurel works and other plant life that are n’t in the bay laurel family but have like growth requirements and appearing .
Bay Laurel
Mediterranean bay , sweet-smelling bay or bay laurel ( Laurus noblilis ) , is the herbaceous plant you normally practice to scent and flavor fret and other culinary delights . It ’s also the one ancient Romans used to make ‘ laurels , ’ the leafy treetop designed to symbolize triumph .
Indian Bay
Also call Indian cassia or Malabar foliage ( Cinnamomum tamala ) , this herb savour a bit like cinnamon and cloves . The leaves make a well garnish and are priceless in Indian cuisine . Do n’t confuse this one with bay laurel , they do n’t taste the same .
Mexican Bay Leaf
Native to Mexico , Mexican bay leaf ( Litsea glaucescens ) is becoming quite rare because it has been over - harvested . If you decide to grow it , the leaves can be used in place of bay laurel , and they ’re rich in essential fossil oil .
Mexican bay leaf gets 15 - 20 understructure tall and the leaves have a blue - green tint on the underside . It has minuscule whitened - unripened blossom and can handle some frost .
California Bay
California bay(Umbellulariscalifornica)is sometimes sold commercially asL.nobilis , but they are dissimilar plants . It has a similar aroma to bay laurel , but it ’s harsher in flavor . Bay laurel and California look likewise ; both are evergreens , and the leaves have the same shape , although California bay ’s leaves are a second longer . Neither will release much odour until they ’re squeeze and even then they smack comparable , although California bay has a more potent aroma . Its intensity level has induce earned it the nickname the “ headache Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . ” you could exhaust the nuts that grow on thisplant .
Note
There are several other embayment plants , but they are not of the same genus asL.nobilis . They take care similar , withlarge , elliptical , evergreen leaves . These dissimilar variety of trees are bay in name only . case let in red bay , loblolly bay , swamp bay , and bull bay . None of these can be used in cooking .
How To Grow Bay
Zones
Bay acquire in geographical zone 8 - 10 as a perennial . It ’s possible to grow bay outside of these areas , but you ’ll need to move it under cover when it grow moth-eaten . Luckily , bay tree grows well in containers .
In zones 8 - 10 , consider planting as you would a tree diagram . I have a lovely specimen in my orchard and it get bigger every metre I front at it .
Sun and Soil Requirements
Bay is n’t fussy about soil pH. Anything between 4.5 - 8.3 will do . In fact , bay can handle most land conditions , but the one thing it ca n’t stand is wet soil . Like most Mediterranean plant , it opt well - draining earth .
Bay acquire in full Lord’s Day , but it appreciates a trivial mid - afternoon shadowiness if you survive in a hot climate .
When To Plant Bay
Plant out of doors when the temperature is warm , and the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will get 8 hours of sun a day . Wait until a few hebdomad after the scourge of frost has passed .
Seed or Cuttings?
It ’s possible to succeed at spring up true laurel from semen , but I would n’t suggest it . Bay plant are notorious for farseeing germination of up to six month . By the time they germinate , the seed often rots . You are much expert off bribe a plant or growingfrom a thinning .
Container Growing
Bay grow well in pots , and you could prune them to a nice shape in whatever sizing you require . you’re able to also move the plant around when the weather get cold .
Spacing
Be cognizant , bay laurel is technically a tree and can develop to 23 foot or more . you’re able to control the size by pruning , and if you are growing them for the leaves , put plants 5 - 6 foot asunder and prune sharply .
Caring for Bay
Treat as any other tree and feed well in the first month or so , and then in argument with the feeding of your other trees . Use a general plant food and water in well .
For potted bays , fertilize with a one made specifically for plant life in containers . Many oecumenical fertilizers that are suitable for the garden are not worthy for mint . calculate for a sustained release plant food .
Watering
If your bay is planted in the ground , use peat moss as a mulch and piss well , particularly in the dry months . The tree diagram will maturate a thick root scheme like all trees and will need regular watering during wry period . Bay can manage some drought , but do n’t overwater .
If you have bay in pots , water more on a regular basis .
Pruning
I let my bay laurel laurel spring up naturally , but I have it in an orchard with plenty of space . embayment are tolerant of hard pruning so you could trim it to the shape you want . If you ’re rise bay in lot , trim to a dainty compact shape to keep them from outgrow their container .
Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Bay
Bay is stout , but there are a few things that can pretend your works . Not many bugs wipe out bay leaves because of their intense foliar oil . Most pests on a bay are the wearisome or sap - sucking type , which assail the stems and woody parts of the plant . There are also some issues that may arise with the roots of the plant life .
Aphids
These little critters seem to snipe every live works and bay is no exception . They can be a turn of unlike coloring but are indulgent - corporate , and they suck the sap of the industrial plant . If the numbers get too high , the flora loses vigor . employ neem rock oil to extirpate .
Psyllids
These are sap - sucking insects too . Often you wo n’t see the germ itself , you ’ll see the exoskeleton it leaves behind . Or , you will see the result of the honeydew melon it secrets as this may lead to sooty mould . This cast coats the leaves and can foreclose the works from utilizing sunlight . Neem fossil oil is a safe handling for psyllids .
Scale
I have had scale on my alcove trees and successfully got free of them . They look like a scab on the plant . They are also take in insects , but feed on both leaves and woody role . The tree diagram will countermine and slow down any growth . The leaf plow xanthous and die . Use neem oil to get disembarrass of scale .
Companion Plants for Bay
The keep up are the best companions for turn true laurel :
Do n’t found bay next to potato or white pine tree .
How to Harvest and UseBay
Dry the Leaves
peck the individual leaves and leave in a ardent , juiceless place . After a few mean solar day , they will dry out , and you could employ them . Store entrust in a glass jar with a sealed lid in your pantry or cupboard . check that they are completely dry before lay them in the jar .
you’re able to also trend a little offset with multiple leaves on it and pay heed it upside down in the kitchen or warm , ironical room . Dry as above and use in cookery .
Add to Slow Cooked Meals
Bay leaves are idealistic in slow cooked repast because the leaves release more of their lovely odor the longer they cook . Bay is often used in unattackable meat dishes like beef cattle and lamb , but get ’s be genuine , bay is wonderful in vegetarian dishes as well .
you’re able to apply the leaf new off the tree , but the flavor and aroma are much subtler than in the dried leaf . Add more leaves if using them fresh .
Add to Herbal Teas
I make fresh tea with sage and honey , and add a dried bay leaf to the pot . The leave are mellow in antiseptic , antioxidant , and digestive qualities . The leaves also contain copper , K , atomic number 20 , manganese , Fe , atomic number 34 , zinc and atomic number 12 .
The great thing about bay is that when you have a decent sized tree it will keep you and most James Cook you know supplied with leaf for a life . It will probably outlive you and tip the next propagation as well .
spring up bay laurel is so rewarding and relatively pest and disease fre . Plant one shrub and it will keep on going . Do you have any crown and tricks for those that are raw to grow bay ? Do you have any great recipe to share with us on how to use your bay leaves ?
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