Bay laurel

Family: Lauraceae. Two-year-old leaves are the most aromatic and are used as a seasoning even when grown indoors; it flowers very rarely under indoor conditions.

Repotting: young specimens - every 2 years, mature plants - every 3-4 years, mainly in the spring-summer period.

Dormant period: in indoor conditions it is forced (from October to February) due to reduced light and air humidity; remember that young bay shoots begin growth in late February - early March, stop growing in summer and renew growth for a short time in late September - early October.

Winter maintenance (October-February): optimal temperature - 5-12°C

Watering: infrequent.

Specific cultural requirements: Bay is shade-tolerant, but is better kept in bright, diffused light; between waterings the surface of the soil should dry slightly; prefers a well-ventilated room and responds positively to being placed outdoors.

Usage: as a floor-standing plant in apartments, can be kept in the interior of the room or near windows; in public spaces (lobbies, offices); in winter gardens and greenhouses.

Propagation: by rooting apical non-woody cuttings in April or July using rooting hormones and soil heating; by freshly collected seeds, since they rapidly lose viability.

Problems in cultivation: a relatively slow-growing plant; responds well to pruning by producing new shoots, the crown develops better; tolerates the dry air of apartments well — it is useful once or twice a month to give the bay a bath day by washing the leaves with room-temperature water; at air temperatures of 20°C and above it is beneficial to increase humidity, but it is better to spray not the leaves but the air around the plant; with excessive humidity concentric rings may appear on the surface of the leaves — the result of pathogenic fungi; may be affected by spider mite, aphids, scale insects.

Life form: evergreen tree.

Maximum size in cultivation: 1-3 m in height.

Ornamental features: Leaves.

Leaf color and shape: leaves are deep green, oval with an acute tip, small, 5-7 cm long, 1-3 cm wide.