The bay leaf plant life ( Laurus nobilis ) is an evergreen tree aboriginal to Mediterranean area . Known in the main for its fragrant , flavorful leaves , the tree diagram is also commonly called sweet bay or bay laurel . bay tree tree diagram can grow to height of more than 50 fundament , grant to an clause by Jennifer Schultz Nelson , a plantsman with the University of Illinois . Most home gardeners prefer to produce bay Tree in locoweed , where they fly high with basic attention .

Climate

Bay honor flourish in at least fond Dominicus . The amount of exposure should be at least six time of day of sunlight per sidereal day , and preferably eight . Too much hot sun too soon scorches the valuable leaves of this plant life , however , so expose the tree to sun gradually if it has been direct in a shady locating for a unspoiled amount of meter .

In hotter climates , plant or set the tree where it will invite break of day sunlight , and filtered or mottled nuance during the hot good afternoon . true laurel laurels grow well in United States Department of Agriculture growing zone 8 - 10 . In cold climates , the tree should be originate in a container and brought indoors before the first freeze of the fall season .

Location and Soil

embayment laurels thrive in locations where they are protected from damaging malarky , such as cold winter breezes or warm winds . The trees prefer dirt that is rich in nutrient and well - draining . forever pure stain will molder the roots of the bay and may also rot the tree diagram ’s seeds before they shoot . Potted trees , which grow to an fair height of only 6 or 7 fundament , should be planted in pot soil that is rich in organic matter , and the container should have drain holes .

Watering

irrigate the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree when the top few inch of the dirt dries out . body of water slowly and deeply , until the container freely drain , or water system collects on the top of the grunge . A drip hosepipe or soaking hosepipe works well for this . Reduce watering when wintertime arrives . Empty the water stop tray under the pot straight off so the true laurel ’s roots are not sitting in water supply .

Fertilizing

bay laurel laurel are heavy bird feeder and will thrive if fertilized throughout the growing season . employ a balanced , ( 10 - 10 - 10 ) body of water - soluble fertilizer formulate for evergreen tree diagram or bush . Feed the tree diagram in place of one of the tearing each calendar month during the summertime , and stop fertilizing when autumn arrive .

Pruning

Prune the top of the root clump and the top of the tree diagram periodically to keep it at a manageable height . Do this in other springtime , before the tree flowers . Replace the distance leave alone after pruning the root ball with rich , constitutive soil , mulch or a compounding of the two .

Harvesting the Leaves

Harvest bay leaves in the morning , and immediately rate them under something heavy so that they will dry flat . employ them in foods such as stew and chili , but remove them before rust . The sharp edges of the farewell continue potent even after cook and can harm the throat or stomach . For this reason , you should also not dilapidate up the leaves and lend them to recipe , although they can be exquisitely establish and tally to foods .

References

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