I work in a small greenhouse and have recently had to trim the bay trees. A few years ago the leaves had a black powder on them. This last summer the trees did not have this problem because it was drier in the greenhouse. I am going to be drying the leaves in a food dehydrator in the next few days. I would like to know, do I need to wash the leaves before drying them? If so, what should I use to wash them now that they are off the trees?
Do to the fact that there is likely some use of insecticides and fungicides used in most greenhouse production, I would recommend washing and drying the Bay Leaf before drying.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bay/sweet-bay-leaf-tree.htm
Leaves are turning black on the tips. I washed all the leaves and pulled off all the infected ones. But that did not work. HELP.
This appears to be Sooty Mold.
Here are some links that will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bay/sweet-bay-leaf-tree.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bay/sweet-bay-leaf-spots.htm
My 36" box Bay tree from the Moon Valley Nursery in Las Vegas, NV that was planted in the ground last March has a split at the base and another split further up the tree and some of the bark has fallen off. Should we wrap the trunk to protect it before the heat of the summer and/or coat it with something to help protect it? Please help.
In my research I found that this is a very common issue with Sweet Bay Leaf Trees.
The trunks are weak and they are likely to suffer damage from wind and weather.
Also the trunks will swell from too much water and then split.
Generally wrapping a tree is not recommended. Bark damage is best to heal with no covering.
In the case of a Sweet Bay Tree, they will continue to suffer damage with the environmental conditions.
Growing in a container can lead to more success. In the ground the tree should be planting in an area sheltered from wind.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bay/sweet-bay-leaf-tree.htm
Something is chewing the leaves of my sweet bay laurel bushes. Do you know what it could be?
There is a leaf roller caterpillar that may attack bay laurel, and you would see rolled up leaves with a caterpillar inside. Mammals typically avoid eating bay laurel but it is possible that they could nibble it if there is no other food available.
Why do the bay laurels that I buy at the nursery always end up dying? At first they do well, but eventually the leaves start to droop and then die. I've probably killed about a half dozen or more over my lifetime. Am I watering too much or not enough? I grow them inside beside a window in the winter and put them outside in the summer. Regular potting soil, plastic or clay pot, lots of room, not much room - doesn't seem to matter. I kill them all.
Watering problems are a common cause of death in container plants. Indoors, overwatering is more often a problem, while underwatering is often a problem outdoors.
Feel the soil before you water to make sure it is somewhat dry, but not bone-dry. You can tell if you are underwatering because the leaves will appear wilted, but will perk up after you water them. Overwatered plants may appear wilted too, but water won't make them perk up.
Make sure the soil is well-drained, there are enough drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, and the pot does not sit in water in a basin. If you keep the pot in a basin, any drained water should be emptied out promptly.
Make sure you are providing the tree with the general conditions it needs:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bay/sweet-bay-leaf-tree.htm
Also make sure the pot is not too large (creates a risk of overwatering) or too small (risk of underwatering) for the plant's size.
Two of my Sweet Bay plants have dried up and appear dead. During the summer, they are outside but in the winter they are inside. One other plant appears healthy. They are in the same location and watered the same. Help!
It can often be too warm and dry indoors for Sweet Bay Plants. They can tolerate some cold, even to just above freezing, but should be indoors if the weather is below zero or you live in a cold climate.
Water less in winter and keep the plant in a cool but very sunny location.
You can try setting on a tray of pebbles and water to increase humidity. Misting is not recommended.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/bay/sweet-bay-leaf-tree.htm
We have two very large pots that are fairly root impacted by the quite mature bay trees. They are in full sun from about midday until early evening and I'm not sure what to put at the base of the bay trees: some colour would be lovely. Mini hydrangeas have done well in the cooler weather but it's too hot now! Grasses? Agapanthus? Please help! Angie angiecreaven@gmail.com
This article may give you some ideas
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/container-garden-arrangements.htm