Bay tree advice?

[Seahorse]

I've just moved house and one of the plants I was bequeathed was a bay tree. It's about 5 feet high and was in a pot. I say 'was' because said pot obviously had no drainage and when I tipped it to one side to pour off the surface water, the whole thing collapsed So I currently have what is effectively a 'bare rooted' bay tree. My garden isn't big enough to warrant planting it in the ground. Does anyone know how well it would survive in a better quality pot? Or have thoughts on whether it's worth keeping at all? I do enjoy cooking but probably only use bay leaves a few times a year. Are fresh ones really that much better than buying dried?

[BrideXIII]

well if it is five foot high, then it has survived being in a pot, so you could repot in a better quality pot, although, I would advise putting it in the ground.
you haven't put a photo up, but i assume if its been in a pot it's been shaped?
they are easy to control, I have one in my front patch (which is teensy 4x4) under the kitchen window, its about the same age, and i trim it to a lovely ball each year. and keep the runners cut back and stripped off the stem.

fresh or dried they are indespensible, for curries, stews,stock, you name it.
its harvest time, and 20 houses of the 45 on my estate have had a supply to see them through the winter, I am the only one to have a tree, and everyone who uses them gets them from me. Be sure however that yours is an eating laurel, the other type is poisonous , and so similar looking that unless you REALLY know the difference, or can ask someone who does, don't risk it.
that said, the decorative can look just as lovely shaped in a pot ( I even invested in proper clippers for mine)

[terrier]

I've been searching the web to find out how to tell the difference but so far not come up with anything. I've got two Bays, both slightly different. Does anyone on here know how to tell the difference between poisonous and edible Bay Laurels (without trying to eat them )???

[BrideXIII]

if it doesn't say laurus nobilis on the label, then don't eat it, if it has no label then don't eat it, unless as I said an expert can confirm it for you, they look the same, smell the same etc.

[Two_Sheds]

Bay will do just fine in a pot, in fact it's a good way to control it. All mine are in pots. Just protect it from wind, which it hates. A sheltered west-facing spot would be perfect. http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_...ay_laurel3.asp

(Bay is easy to propagate too)

[Two_Sheds]

poisonous Cherry Laurel

Also growing in England is the Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) which is poisonous. Prunus is a cherry/plum, not a laurel at all (Laurus)



This is an evergreen like the Sweet Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), with green shiny leaves. Cherry Laurel has white flowers in April which turn to a small black berry. All parts contain the poison Hydrogen Cyanide. However, its not all bad: it is a good hedging plant, makes a great windbreak, and attracts hoverflies.

[Two_Sheds]

poisonous Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) is highly toxic ... native to USA, it was used by North American Indians to commit suicide.

It's not easy to grow in UK.

[Seahorse]

It's definitely an edible bay. It hasn't been trained (looks to me like the previous owner had completely neglected it) but I'll do that. I'll try and find a nice pot

Thanks.

[smallblueplanet]

Give it good drainage, then you could 'lollipop' it?!