Bay tree leaves dying

Question

I have a potted bay tree that over the past year has had the leaves dying from the tips back toward the whole leaf. The leaves don’t totally die (yet) but do look very stressed. It is happening across the whole plant. I live in Gunnedah (western NSW, Australia). Very hot summers and mild winters (occasional early morning frost). Any ideas what may be causing it?

Answer 1

This is something that will usually occur with overly wet conditions. I am not quite familiar with the climate and rain patterns in your area of the world, so I don’t know exactly how much rain you have been receiving. If there hasn’t been that much water in the area, then infections such as this can already be present in the soil.

I would recommend using dolomitic lime and wettable sulfur. This will treat the illness as well as help out the soil condition greatly.

If this is heavy in clay, with plenty of iron rich material, then adding a teaspoon of citric acid to a gallon, or roughly 4 liters of water will help break some of that free into the soil, as well.

This article will give you more information on the care of these shrubs: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bay/sweet-bay-leaf-tree.htm

Answer 2

Thanks Doc. Dry as a bone out this way. Soil is potting mix. I have had other advice to repot in an 80L pot and to discard 30% of the current soil & add a wetting agent as it may not be getting effective use of the regular waterings.