Bay leaf plant in a pot. Growing homemade bay leaves

Laurel is a subtropical tree or bush. There are several types of this plant. IN natural conditions they grow in the Mediterranean and in the south of the Krasnodar Territory.

Laurel tree: description, types

Laurel belongs to the Lavrov family of the same name. Types of laurel:

Azores is distinguished by large decorative leaves ovoid shape. Blooms in May with light yellow flowers.
Camphor, so named because of the high content of camphor in the leaves and stems. The crown of the plant is wide, branched. The leaves emit a spicy scent. The leaves are lanceolate, with small dots throughout the field. The flowers are yellow-green.
Noble, the leaves of which are used for food. It is a perennial evergreen tree or shrub. IN vivo he lives up to 100 years. During this time, its height reaches 10 m. In an apartment, it grows up to 3 m. Its stems are covered with leathery leaves about 8 cm long. In spring, noble laurel blooms with small yellow flowers. When grown at home, flowering is rare, after reaching 5 years of age. Laurel fruits are small.

Laurel can be propagated by layering, cuttings and:

The easiest way to get a new plant is from cuttings. They may appear on their own. If this does not happen, in the spring they add a branch of laurel, water the place where rooting takes place. next spring plant a new plant in a separate pot, after cutting off the layering from the main tree.
Laurel should be propagated by seeds in the fall. To do this, take a pot, lay drainage on the bottom, then sprinkle with soil. Watered. Cover the pot plastic wrap. Waiting for shoots to appear.
Get a young plant faster from a cutting young plant. To do this, take non-lignified cuttings with 2-3 buds or leaves. The soil is prepared in the same way as for growing from seeds, but the soil is covered with a layer of sand from above. The length of the cutting is up to 8 cm. The cuttings are immersed so that the lower edge is immersed in the sand by 1 cm. The soil for the laurel is prepared by mixing humus, turf, and old foliage. Add peat and sand. If there are no such components, you can plant laurel in a universal soil purchased at a flower shop.

Good neighbors for the laurel in the room will be,. They will create a beautiful corner, in addition, they will positively affect the well-being of the owners. After all, phytoncides, which secrete laurel leaves, contribute to this.

Although laurel belongs to subtropical plants, it can withstand even a drop to 5 degrees below zero. But this applies only to old sheets. Young, spring ones can freeze even with slight frosts. Therefore, do not rush to take out the tree on Fresh air. It hibernates best at a temperature of 12-15°C. He needs warmth in the summer. Optimal will be 25-28 degrees. Laurel does not like sudden changes in temperature.

When choosing a place for a laurel, they take into account that it feels best in a well-lit place. But direct sunlight on the leaves should be avoided. It also grows in the shade, but in this case the branches will stretch out and lose their decorative effect.

In an apartment or office, in no case should you put a laurel near a radiator or other heating devices.

Laurel noble loves fresh air. Therefore, the room where it grows must be regularly ventilated. And in summer, it is better to take the plant out onto the balcony or into the garden, setting it in partial shade. Laurel is not afraid of drafts. It tolerates heat well, but grows worse at the same time.

Like all subtropical plants, laurel grows well with high humidity air. To provide the tree comfortable conditions, regularly spray the leaves with water. It should be soft and not cold. Once a month, you can shower by covering the soil in the pot with plastic wrap.

How to water the plant:

In summer, you can provide suitable humidity by placing a pot with a tree in a large pallet, at the bottom of which pebbles and moss are laid. Some water is poured into it. If possible, you can spray the plant from the sprayer several times a day.
Watered abundantly in the warm season, but do not fill in, so as not to get stagnation of water in the pot. In hot weather, it is better to water in the morning and evening. Do not water during the day, so as not to get water on the leaves. This can cause sunburn on them.
Water for irrigation can be taken tap, then only after it has settled well. Its temperature should be higher than in the room.
In winter, the number of waterings should be reduced, and the interval between them should be increased. But it is also impossible to overdry the soil, the plant may die. At this time, the laurel is not watered. Periodically, you can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

In order for the laurel to be strong and beautiful, it needs to be fed. During the period of active growth, this is done once a month. Easier to use complex fertilizers. You can alternate organic and.

The root system of laurel does not like to be disturbed. But the tree is growing and needs to be replanted. Therefore, it is better to do this by transshipment. So the root system moves from one flowerpot to another, along with a clod of earth, with little or no damage.

Young laurel trees are transplanted approximately once every 2 years.

If it does not grow very actively, and there is enough space in the pot for the roots, you can do this even less often. Five-year-old plants and older are transplanted after 4 years. A new pot is taken 3 cm wider than the previous one. A layer of drainage is laid at the bottom. It will ensure a timely outflow of water and protect the root system from stagnant water.

The soil can be taken almost any, even the usual garden. Add some humus. If the soil is clayey, add sand to increase moisture permeability. If it is sandy, add a little clay. It will help you keep required amount moisture. Plentifully water the laurel, wait until the water is absorbed, and the soil lags behind the walls of the pot. Carefully take out the tree, laying it on its side on a matting or oilcloth. Examine the root system. If there are damaged roots, they are carefully cut off, sprinkled with crushed charcoal. If possible, take out drainage stones braided with roots.

Laurel crown lends itself well to shaping and pruning:

It is carried out in early spring, so that young shoots have time to grow. Lignified branches are shortened by 20 cm. New shoots will appear from the buds located below the cut point, the bush will become curly and voluminous.
Pruning can give laurel desired shape: ball, cone, pyramid or other figured.
To form a crown unusual shape you need to start at a young age, cut more often, but little by little.
Some flower growers advise cutting laurel at the end of summer. Leave young shoots that will grow in the spring.

To remove scale insects manually, remove them with a damp cotton swab. This is a longer process. Processing must be carried out until the scale insects become. But then you need to control for some more time, because juveniles may appear. Laurel at home is susceptible to some diseases, fungal or viral. A sign of damage can be a black sooty coating on the underside of the leaves. To combat them, biological preparations are used, for example, Gamair.

If the conditions for growing laurel are violated, it reacts by changing its appearance:

If the air in the room is too dry, the leaves begin to curl.
If they dry, you need to lower the air temperature in the room.

These same symptoms may indicate high air density. Lower the temperature or transfer the plant to a cool place. Cover plastic bag. This will help increase the humidity. Soon, young leaves will begin to grow.

If the indoor temperature is too high in winter, the laurel can completely shed its leaves.

In this case, you need to move it to a cooler room. If you put a plastic bag on it, the leaves will recover very quickly. Laurel leaves are almost the same as those sold in the store. But experts do not advise using it for food. It may happen that when grown in a greenhouse or in a flower shop, it was amenable to processing chemicals, harmful to human body. And in modern apartments and offices, it can absorb hazardous substances. In addition, as a result of drying at home, the leaves may lose their aroma.

More information can be found in the video:

Our grandmothers, growing strawberries, or strawberries, as we used to call them, were not particularly worried about mulching. But today this agricultural practice has become fundamental in achieving High Quality berries and reduce crop losses. Some might say it's troublesome. But practice shows that labor costs in this case pay off handsomely. In this article, we invite you to get acquainted with the nine the best materials for mulching garden strawberries.

Succulents are very versatile. Despite the fact that “kids” have always been considered more fashionable, the assortment of succulents with which you can decorate modern interior, it is worth taking a closer look. After all, colors, sizes, patterns, degree of pricklyness, influence on the interior are just a few of the parameters by which you can choose them. In this article, we will talk about the five most fashionable succulents that surprisingly transform modern interiors.

Mint was used by the Egyptians as far back as 1.5 thousand years BC. It has a strong aroma due to the high content of various essential oils with high volatility. Today, mint is used in medicine, perfumery, cosmetology, winemaking, cooking, ornamental gardening, and the confectionery industry. In this article, we will look at the most interesting varieties mint, and also talk about the features of growing this plant in open field.

People began to grow crocuses 500 years before the advent of our era. Although the presence of these flowers in the garden is fleeting, we always look forward to the return of the heralds of spring in next year. Crocuses - one of the earliest primroses, whose flowering begins as soon as the snow melts. However, the timing of flowering may vary depending on the species and varieties. This article focuses on the earliest varieties of crocuses that bloom in late March and early April.

Shchi from early young cabbage in beef broth is hearty, fragrant and easy to prepare. In this recipe, you will learn how to cook delicious beef broth and cook light cabbage soup with this broth. early cabbage it cooks quickly, so it is placed in the pan at the same time as the rest of the vegetables, unlike autumn cabbage, which takes a little longer to cook. Ready cabbage soup can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Real cabbage soup is tastier than freshly cooked.

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Salmon backbone baked in Provence herbs is a "supplier" of delicious pieces of fish pulp for light salad with fresh wild garlic leaves. The mushrooms are lightly fried olive oil and then watered apple cider vinegar. Such mushrooms are tastier than ordinary pickled ones, and they are better suited for baked fish. Ramson and fresh dill coexist perfectly in one salad, emphasizing the flavor of each other. Garlic sharpness of wild garlic will saturate both the flesh of salmon and pieces of mushrooms.

Conifer tree or a shrub on the site is always great, and a lot of conifers is even better. emerald needles various shades decorates the garden at any time of the year, and phytoncides and essential oils, secreted by plants, not only flavor, but also make the air cleaner. Generally, most zoned adults coniferous plants, are considered very unpretentious trees and shrubs. But young seedlings are much more capricious and require competent care and attention.

Sakura is most often associated with Japan and its culture. Picnics in the shade flowering trees have long been an integral attribute of the meeting of spring in the Country rising sun. Financial and academic year here begins on April 1, when the magnificent sakura blossoms. Therefore, many significant moments in the life of the Japanese pass under the sign of their flowering. But sakura also grows well in cooler regions - certain types can be successfully grown even in Siberia.

It is very interesting for me to analyze how people's tastes and preferences for certain foods have changed over the centuries. What was once considered tasty and traded lost its value over time and, conversely, new fruit crops conquered their markets. Quince has been cultivated for more than 4 thousand years! And even in the 1st century BC. e. about 6 varieties of quince were known and even then the methods of its reproduction and cultivation were described.

Make your family happy and make themed Easter egg-shaped cottage cheese cookies! Your children will be happy to take part in the process - they will sift the flour, combine all the necessary ingredients, knead the dough and cut out intricate figures. Then they will watch with admiration how the pieces of dough turn into real Easter eggs, and then with the same enthusiasm they will eat them with milk or tea. How to make such original cookies for Easter, read in our step by step recipe!

There are not so many decorative and deciduous favorites among tuberous crops. And the caladium is a true star among the variegated inhabitants of the interiors. Not everyone can decide to start a Caladium. This plant is demanding, and first of all - to care. But still, the rumors about the unusual capriciousness of the Caladium never justify. Attention and care allow you to avoid any difficulties when growing caladiums. And a plant can almost always forgive small mistakes.

We have prepared a hearty, incredibly appetizing and simply elementary dish for you today. This gravy is one hundred percent universal, as it will suit every side dish: vegetables, pasta, and anything. Gravy with chicken and mushrooms will save you in moments when there is no time or you don’t want to think too much about what to cook. Grab your favorite side dish (you can make this ahead of time to keep it hot), add gravy and dinner is ready! A real lifesaver.

Among the many different varieties of these most popular vegetables, we will talk about three that are distinguished by excellent taste and relatively unpretentious growing conditions. Characteristics of eggplant varieties "Diamond", "Black Handsome" and "Valentina". All eggplants have a medium density pulp. In "Almaz" it is greenish, and in the other two it is yellowish-white. They are united by good germination and excellent yield, but in different time. Everyone's skin color and shape is different.

Most often, Canarian laurel is used for these purposes, since this culture is particularly unpretentious and responsive to decent care. The plant needs high humidity and regular transplantation.

Description of the plant laurel

A subtropical tree or shrub, a species of the genus Laurel of the Laurel family.

Its leaves are used as a spice. Long time the plant was considered a sacred tree, its wreaths adorned the heads of the winners in Ancient Greece. Widely cultivated in the subtropics.

evergreen tree or tall shrub reaches 10-15 m in height with brown smooth bark and bare shoots. The crown is densely leafy, mostly pyramidal in shape.

The leaves are alternate, short-leaved, entire, glabrous, simple, with a peculiar spicy smell; leaf blade oblong, lanceolate or elliptical, narrowed towards the base, dark green above, lighter below.

Inflorescences are umbellate, numerous, collected mainly at the ends of the branches in the axils of the leaves. Umbrellas before flowering are enclosed in spherical wrappers, consisting of four elliptical scales. Flowers - small, yellowish, unisexual, staminate, collected in inflorescence, pistillate.

Under natural conditions, this is a tall tree. The description of a home-grown laurel plant differs from wild plants compact dimensions: the maximum height is one and a half to two meters.

As you can see in the photo, at home, laurel lends itself well to decorative processing - it can be cut as you like and create any shape you like:

The plant is native to the Mediterranean. Despite this fact, the bush turned out to be hardy and quite unpretentious. The plant grows well in open ground in colder latitudes, and in warm and dry home climates. Of course, the second option is more difficult for him, because in order for the laurel to be healthy and beautiful, you need to properly care for it.

How to care for Canarian laurel at home

The genus includes several species that can be grown at home. Most often as ornamental plant Canarian laurel is found.

In nature, the species grows in moist laurel forests in the lower mountain belt of the Canary, Azores and Madeira Islands. Trees up to 15 m tall, shoots hairy pubescent. Leaves ovate, up to 10-12 cm long and 2-6 cm wide, dull green. The flowers are collected in umbellate inflorescences, located in the axils of the leaves, several, light yellow. Blooms in April - May. decorative look thrives well at home.

IN natural environment the tree grows under the sun, blown by cold winds, watered by rain, covered with snow. Therefore, when caring for laurel at home, the plant needs bright lighting- its dense leaves are not threatened with burns. Direct sunlight is better than a shady place. However, if in nature the plant gradually gets used to the sun, then home plant after wintering, it is necessary to accustom it to it - it should be placed in the sun gradually.

The laurel tree at home adapts itself to the natural cycle of the subtropics. He needs warm summers and cool winters. The plant is quite resistant and easily tolerates temperature changes. In summer optimum temperature for growth is 20-26 degrees, in winter - 5 degrees of heat. It can survive light frosts, but sub-zero temperature more likely to survive in a plant planted open ground - it has root system more developed and protected.

The roots of a plant growing in a pot can freeze completely and the plant will die, so it is most often grown indoors.

In the process of caring for laurel at home, do not forget that the plant needs high humidity air, then it turns green and grows well. At home, you need to spray the bush more often, bathe it in the shower, put it in the heat on a pallet with wet pebbles. Dry air weakens the plant, makes it susceptible to diseases and pests, spoils its appearance.

In the warm season, abundant watering is required, the soil should not dry out. But this does not mean that you can arrange a swamp in a pot - the moisture must evaporate, be completely consumed by the roots, otherwise it will lead to rot of the root system. With a decrease in temperature, watering is also reduced, in winter they are watered so that the soil does not completely dry out.

If the plant grows all year round at room temperature, watering should always be plentiful. For proper growth need a periodic change of climate and watering. In winter, the plant rests and prepares for a new cycle. Constant heat can exhaust the plant.

You can see a photo of caring for a laurel at home below:

Soil for laurel and transplanting at home

The soil for laurel at home needs a neutral, moderately nutritious, well-absorbing water. From ready-made mixtures, universal substrates or for cacti are suitable. You can also make a substrate yourself, for this you need to take two parts of leafy soil, one part of soddy land, two parts of humus, one part of large river sand and one part of peat. In the ground mixture, you can add a little crushed charcoal. If the tree does not grow quickly or is completely frozen in growth, perhaps the soil does not suit it - there is not enough nutrients.

A young plant needs an annual transplant. The root system does not grow very fast, so changing the pot is not necessary. If the roots have completely or almost completely mastered the pot, it is necessary to transplant it into a larger container. If the root is poorly developed, the plant is left in the same pot and its care is adjusted.

After 5 years, the frequency of laurel transplants at home can be reduced to 1 time in 2-4 years. To feed the plant, you can make a top soil change in a pot. Rare transplants are also associated with the fact that by this age the laurel grows to an impressive size and it becomes not so easy to transplant it.

When transplanting, it is necessary to make drainage. The less often transplants take place, the larger the drainage layer should be.

Fertilize with a complex mineral or organic fertilizer in a standard dosage from March to October. Fertilizer is applied every 2-3 weeks.

Growing laurel from seeds at home

Reproduction of laurel at home is carried out by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush, branches and grafting.

At home, it rarely blooms and it is difficult to get seeds. Seeds for propagation are collected in November, kept in a slightly damp place so that they do not dry out, and the skin is removed from them before planting. Landing is carried out in late autumn-early winter or in early spring.

When growing laurel from seeds at home, for starters, the seed is placed in small boxes. The soil in these containers should consist of a turf, leaf mixture, mixed with sand (1: 1: 0.5). Before planting, the seeds are freed from the pulp surrounding them, and at the end of the procedure they are covered with glass (you can use plastic wrap).

When the third leaf appears on the seedlings, the seedlings swoop down and are planted in separate containers - pots, disposable cups, utensils for yogurt and others.

After planting the laurel at home, grown and strengthened plants are transplanted into ceramic pots until further growth.

Propagation of laurel by cuttings and pruning at home (with video)

The process of preparing cuttings should begin no earlier than March-April. Use shoots only from a healthy bush, which have already matured, but have not yet crusted over.

The cuttings are cut into small segments of 6-8 cm, following some rules: when cutting off the cutting, you do not need to completely cut it with a knife. Make an incision, and then carefully tear off the segment to grab some of the crust. The cutting should turn out with a “heel” starting below the first node. The pouring at the bottom of the cutting is removed.

When propagating laurel by cuttings at home, remember that the plant takes root poorly, therefore it is recommended to use preparations that stimulate the root formation process to form the root system. Before lowering the cuttings into the composition, they should be wetted. It is not required to remove excess drug with something special - just shake off the cuttings.

The stalk prepared in this way is planted in a kind of greenhouse - under a plastic film supported by pegs, in clean sand, about 2 cm. in depth. Wait for the rooting of the cuttings should not be earlier than a month. After which they can be planted in the ground or a permanent pot.

Watch a video of propagation of laurel by cuttings at home in order to properly root the plant:

The crown of a home tree can be given any shape. Laurel pruning at home is best done at the end of summer or autumn, when the plant slows down its growth.

Laurel diseases at home

Laurel diseases at home indicate insufficient care for the plant.

The plant does not tolerate dry air. If the humidity is low, it can be affected, which is removed by spraying with a special insecticide.

Pale laurel leaves may indicate starvation. Or this happens in the summer, with strong heat - the leaves simply burn out.

If a dry border appears on the leaves, then the air is too dry. Or watering is not enough. For the same reason, the leaves can curl up into tubules.

wilted leaves they talk about too dense soil, insufficient watering, directed heat, for example, from a battery.

If the tree shed its leaves in winter, the time of rest has come. Just move the plant to a cool place.

The article will tell you about the intricacies of growing and caring for a bay bush at home.

Bay leaf is a well-known spice all over the world, which is usually added to first and second courses, marinades, sauces and even desserts. Dried laurel leaf has a strong spicy aroma with a slight pleasant bitterness. In addition to cooking, the leaf is actively used in traditional medicine as a diuretic, antiseptic and antimicrobial agent.

Based bay leaf decoctions and infusions, baths and lotions are prepared. Bay leaves are simply added to tea and hot drinks, fresh leaves are chewed to get rid of bad smell in the mouth or get a bactericidal effect. special attention deserves a laurel bush esoteric symbol. This plant is credited with protective properties for humans and homes from negative influences from the environment.

As a houseplant, a bay tree or shrub will come in handy in any home. Laurel will not only decorate your home, but also make the atmosphere in your home more favorable, friendly and kind. In addition, the leaves of the plant emit special essential oils, which, as aromatherapy, have a beneficial effect on the moral and physical health of a person.

The easiest way to grow a laurel bush is from seeds. It is grown in a pot and only from fresh seeds, which can be quite difficult to get (they are taken only from an adult plant). After you get the seeds, you should definitely soak them. This is done in ordinary and warm water.

Instead of water, you can also use special remedy "Epin", which is specially invented in order to regulate the growth of plants. Before placing the seeds in water, you should first carefully remove the scales (the shell that protects the inside) from them. The scales will interfere with the growth of the shoot and therefore its removal will accelerate germination.

Seeds are kept in water until they swell (this is noticeable visually). Then they should be planted in a plastic cup with wet sand, cover the neck of the cup cling film and leave at room temperature with sufficient light. Shooting may take approximately 3-4 weeks. All this time, the sand should be moistened so that it does not dry out.

After the seed sprouts, remove the film from the cup and grow the plant until 2-4 small leaves will appear. The field of this plant is planted in the ground. Laurel loves soil with sand content, “soil for succulents” is ideal.

How to grow a bay bush in a pot from seeds at home?

What kind of land is needed for a bay leaf, what kind of pot?

“Correctly” selected soil for a plant is the key to its health and good development. Great importance for laurel it has drainage, so be sure to put a layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot (a special breed in the form of small pebbles, sold in flower shops).

Laurel pot is best to choose from natural material, be it clay or ceramics. Such material, unlike plastic, will not allow the roots to “suffocate”. The bottom of the pot should have a sufficient number of holes so that the water leaves well and does not stagnate, provoking fungus, as well as rotting of the roots.

The soil for the bay bush is universal, any that you can find in a professional store. You can also prepare the mixture yourself, for this you will need:

Part of the leafy ground
Part of the sod land
Part of quartz sand
Part of the humus (can be replaced with compost)

IMPORTANT: All soil components are taken in an equal one-to-one ratio.

The reaction of the soil to acidity must necessarily be neutral, if you need to balance the acidity (this often happens when peat is present in the soil), add a little wood ash. The size of the pot depends on how you plan to grow the laurel, the more you pick up the pot, the stronger the root system will grow, and hence the bush itself.

Young laurel bush grown at home

How to transplant a bay tree into a pot?

Transplanting a plant should only be done when you see that the plant is not comfortable in a too small pot. Choose a new pot that will be 1-2 cm larger in diameter than the old one. The frequency of laurel transplants is closely related to its age. For example, if the bush is young (up to 3 years old), it should be replanted every year, preferably in the spring. If the bush is an adult, then transplantation can occur every 2 years.

During transplantation, attention should be paid to the root coma, it must be reduced by about a third each time. This is not noticeable to the plant, but is good for the health of the bush. After transplanting or planting a bay bush in a pot, be sure to feed the bush with organic fertilizer. Loosen the ground very carefully, because the root system of the laurel is not deep, but best of all - cover upper layer mulch.

IMPORTANT: You should know that laurel grows very slowly. When the plant becomes "adult" it can not be transplanted at all, but only change the top layer of soil to fresh soil.

There are cases when a bay bush may require an unscheduled transplant. Determining this is very simple - you will notice that the plant loses leaves, which become not so bright, glossy and resilient. This happens because the soil "gets tired", i.e. loses all important and nutritional qualities for the plant.

Proper transplant bay leaf at home

How to properly care for bay leaf seedlings?

Laurel seedlings are young shoots grown from seeds. Properly caring for seedlings, you can ensure that your plant is strong and healthy. You can grow seedlings in a greenhouse, or you can grow them at home on a windowsill.

The main thing that you need to provide seedlings is heat and humidity. Make sure that the temperature does not drop below minus 12-9 degrees, otherwise you risk "losing" the plants. Seeds for seedlings should be grown in carbonate soil.

Give your seedlings enough light by placing the pots on windowsills or by installing grow lights. In the ground (garden, vegetable garden, on the site) should be planted only the plant that has already grown roots, not earlier than 2-3 years.

Self-planting bay bush

How to propagate a bay leaf at home with a process, cuttings: instructions

The division of the bush into cuttings is the simplest, most popular and effective method propagate the plant. In addition, pruning of an adult bush should occur regularly so that the laurel can fully develop. Cut "trimmings" can be used for cuttings.

IMPORTANT: For this method the reproduction of the bush is also suitable for those “fat” shoots that from time to time appear on the basis of the trunk.

Each petiole that you cut for planting should have at least 2-3 buds. The shoot should be cut obliquely, if there are lower leaves, they are cut off, the upper ones are simply reduced (by a third or half). The petiole should be rooted in:

wet sand
Sphagnum
calcined soil
Perlite
Vermiculite

IMPORTANT: Any specially prepared germination substrate will do. Be sure to check the acidity of the soil so that it is not "acidic". In an acidic environment, the plant will develop poorly or die altogether.

It is important to plant the petiole strictly at an angle, it is good if you have dusted the place where the petiole was cut in advance with a special stimulant for the formation of roots. In order for the petiole to give roots, you will have to wait approximately 3 to 4 months. Keep the plant warm, avoid frost and drafts, and provide regular but diffused light. Six months later, you can safely plant petioles in pots or flowerpots.

IMPORTANT: If you divide a bush, do it either in autumn or early spring. At this time, the laurel "sleeps" and such a process will not be traumatic for him. Divide so that each branch has viable roots.

Proper reproduction laurel at home

How to feed a bay leaf in a pot?

After you deepen the seedling into the ground (from a seed or a cutting - it doesn’t matter), it should not be fed with anything during the entire first year. Full-fledged top dressing with organic matter (organic fertilizers) occurs starting from the second year of the laurel's life.

In a professional flower shop, you should purchase a generic mineral fertilizer, which is applied to the soil, based on the instructions and proportions on the package, once a month. If you do not regularly fertilize the soil of the bay bush, the plant will survive this quite normally.

Much worse for a laurel is to regularly “feel” an excess of moisture in the soil. Do not worry if the bush grows slowly - this is quite normal for laurel. Every year after transplanting, listen to the instructions for caring for the plant and you will notice its development.

Comprehensive care for laurel bush

Why does the bay leaf dry at home, what to do?

If the bay bush began to dry and began to appear yellow leaves, which also lose their luster, the plant may have a number of reasons for this condition:

Waterlogged soil, resulting in root rot.
"Tired" soil that does not provide the plant with an important amount of nutrients.
There are pests in the root system or on the plant
The temperature regime is not observed: too cold, an abundance of drafts.
The plant suffers from direct sunlight
The plant needs a transplant or a larger pot

Video: "How to grow laurel at home?"

18.09.2017

To grow a bay leaf at home, you will need to know its needs and growing conditions - all of which you will find in this guide. It is one of the most commonly used and well-known spices and you can get fresh leaves at any time of the year if you plant this plant. Learn all about how to grow a bay leaf in a pot on your windowsill and see for yourself all its benefits.

General information

The leaves of the bay tree give off an intense flavor that complements most Mediterranean dishes.

Bay leaves have a variety of uses, from decorative to culinary and medicinal.

Although this plant in its native Mediterranean - evergreen shrub or a tree, its growth is easily restrained by pruning or planting in a container.

Laurel grows very slowly, which makes it even more suitable for growing in a pot at home.

Propagated by seeds and cuttings (twigs).

soil and pot

Laurel has no special requirements for the soil: it grows in any, with the exception of heavy and clay, which causes waterlogging. Like many other plants, it prefers well-drained soil.

Drainage is very important, so choose a pot with large drain holes.

Start growing bay leaves in a small pot and transplant into a larger container when you see roots coming out of the pot's drainage holes. Do not rush to plant this plant immediately in a large container. The bay tree thrives well when it's a little cramped.

Species and varieties

If you plan to use bay leaf for cooking, it is very important that you grow a plant called Laurus nobilis. Other species of this plant, which are also called "laurel", are not all edible.

There are some ornamental varieties noble laurel:

Angustifolia - narrow green leaves.
Aurea - yellow foliage.
Sweet Bay, also called Bay Laurel, is a bright green coloration.
Undulata - the edges of the leaves are wavy.

How to grow bay leaves from seeds

Laurel seeds are very difficult and slow to germinate, so many prefer to purchase a ready-made plant in a pot. If you want to grow bay leaves from seeds, here's what you need to do:

Fill a small, flat container with moist loose soil.
Sow the seeds and cover with a layer of earth 1-2 cm.
Cover the container with plastic wrap, leaving an air hole on the side.
The required temperature for germination is 20 C. Be prepared to wait 5-12 months before the seeds hatch.

This is the most hard way, since germination takes a long time, and attempts to grow bay trees from seeds sometimes end in failure.

How to grow a bay leaf from cuttings (twigs)

Ideally, if you have the opportunity to get twigs of at least 15 cm from an adult healthy plant and plant them. The cuttings should be slightly firm, flexible and green. Such material is well suited for growing a new bay leaf at home.

The more cuttings you take, the greater your chances of successfully rooting a new plant.

Step-by-step instruction:

Mix equal parts earth, sand and vermiculite and fill a small container with this mixture.
Remove the leaves from the cuttings, except for the top two. Cut the top leaves in half horizontally.
Dip a bay leaf in liquid root growth stimulator and hold it in according to package directions. right amount time.
Stick the bottom of the stem laurel laurel in soil mixture to a depth of 5-6 cm.
Firm the soil around the cuttings and water to loosen the soil near the stems.
Cover the container with a clear plastic bag to create a moist environment for the cuttings to root.
Place the cuttings in a warm, well-lit area, but not in direct sunlight. sunlight. The air temperature should be up to 22 C.
Monitor plantings daily, discard rotten or wilted cuttings. Water when the soil layer is 1-2 cm dry.
Check the roots once a month to see if they are growing. Gently pull the branches up to feel if there is resistance.
As soon as the roots reach 2-3 cm, transplant the new plants into separate pots.

Propagation of laurel by cuttings can take several months. This time is necessary to develop a normal root system suitable for planting. Yet sometimes the branches never take root.

If you are not a fan of problems and experiments, then it is best to just buy a small bay tree at the garden store. Thus, you will be able to enjoy it without frustration or effort.

How to care

To keep fresh seasoning available at any time of the year, here are a few tips on how to care for a bay tree at home.

Watering

Bay leaf is drought tolerant but appreciates regular watering. Always let the soil dry out between waterings so the roots don't rot, but don't let the plant go long without water.

Laurel responds well to the shower room temperature. At the same time, the pot with soil is covered with a plastic bag.

Lighting

Laurel prefers a bright location, but can grow in shade. Not afraid of drafts.

Spring and summer on windowsills south sides sun protection is required.

Fertilizer

Laurel tree needs to be fed universal fertilizer twice a year: in spring and summer. Suitable liquid fertilizer for cacti or palm trees.

Diseases and pests

Bay leaves are rarely exposed to diseases and insects. In fact, it itself is often used to control pests of other plants.

Laurel can be damaged by scale insects, scale insects, on the secretions of which a sooty fungus settles. Well-visible clusters of worms are removed with cotton swabs dipped in soapy water.
If the leaves of the laurel turn yellow and fall off, then it can be caused by excessive or insufficient watering of the plants.
Leaf spots are often caused by waterlogged roots and excess moisture.
Yellowing leaves can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies in the soil. To eliminate this problem, transplant your plant into fresh, well-drained soil.

Transfer

Bay tree does not develop very quickly in pots, so repot it no more than every two to three years.

Transplantation is best done in the spring. Use fertile soil and good drainage, as the plant does not like stagnant water.

pruning

Pruning is an important part of caring for a bay tree to keep it from growing too much and give it a decorative shape.

It is usually carried out in the spring, when the growth of new shoots begins.

Remove dried, damaged, or diseased leaves regularly if they appear.

How to plant, propagate and care for a bay tree at home - video

Harvesting

If you grew your plant yourself, from cuttings or seeds, then start harvesting from the second or third year of its life.

For seasoning use, pick the largest leaves: the older the leaf, the stronger the flavor will be.

The collected leaves must be dried, as fresh bay leaves are quite bitter. From the moment of cutting, 48 to 72 hours should pass. Of course, the store sells bay leaves that have dried much longer, but freshly dried ones have a more pleasant aroma.

There are many reasons to plant a bay tree on your windowsill. This is an attractive, glossy foliage that stays green all year round at home. It is a sweet aroma with a touch of spicy nutmeg. Be sure to grow bay leaves and become the owner of an evergreen, glossy decoration for your home, the leaves of which are used in in large numbers recipes.

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