Bay tree in a container

Discussion in 'Trees' started by hi2u_uk, Jun 24, 2023.

  1. hi2u_uk

    hi2u_uk Gardener

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    I am thinking of buying a bay tree in a pot to keep in my garden long term
    Does anyone have any thoughts , tips, comments etc about Bay trees in containers.
    Any suggestions of a good retailer.
     
    hi2u_uk, Jun 24, 2023
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  2. Jocko

    Jocko Guided by my better half.

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    Jocko, Jun 24, 2023
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  3. hi2u_uk

    hi2u_uk Gardener

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    Thanks but the website is suggesting i would need to take it out of the container /pot. I do not want to do that i want to keep it in the container
     
    hi2u_uk, Jun 24, 2023
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  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I'd want to go and choose at a good local nursery rather than online.

    That's where I got mine 30 years ago and it's been in a pot till this spring I planted it the soil. The pot stopped it getting out of hand but it never really looked happy. It needed pruning and compost changing to perk it up. Get as big a container as you can afford is my tip.
     
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      JWK, Jun 24, 2023
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    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      If you don't mind growing it on then most DIY stores like homebase have them. I picked up a pot of bay for a fiver and got 16 plants from it
       
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        Loofah, Jun 24, 2023
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I'm just confused what people find attractive about bay trees, but maybe I'm biased.:smile:
         
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          pete, Jun 24, 2023
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        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          And use a soil based compost
           
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            Loofah, Jun 24, 2023
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            We grow it purely for culinary purposes, so having a supply of fresh clean leaves is important. Can't say it is an ornamental plant in my eyes, it never flowered much in a pot.
             
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              JWK, Jun 24, 2023
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            • Alisa

              Alisa Super Gardener

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              Yes, me too, soup without a bay leaf isn't soup. :)
               
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                Alisa, Jun 24, 2023
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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                I dont think I've ever tasted a bay leaf.:scratch:
                 
                pete, Jun 24, 2023
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              • hi2u_uk

                hi2u_uk Gardener

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                Can anyone tell me if the bay trees smell nice in their gardens or attract any pests ?
                 
                hi2u_uk, Jun 25, 2023
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              • NigelJ

                NigelJ Total Gardener

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                I haven't noticed a strong smell, if rubbed against smells of bay. Pests the only one I've had has been scale insects.
                 
                NigelJ, Jun 25, 2023
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              • Michael Hewett

                Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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                The cut stems smell nice when pruned.
                I have two in tubs but they never look happy. The ones in the ground are growing much better.
                Another thing about them is they have suckers and you have to keep taking them out.
                 
                Michael Hewett, Jun 25, 2023
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              • Upsydaisy

                Upsydaisy Total Gardener

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                No fragrance here either.

                20230625_104449.jpg
                 
                Upsydaisy, Jun 25, 2023
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