Bay Tree

[Christianne]

I bought a couple of bay trees a month ago, but am rather concerned that one of them seems to be suffering from yellowing leaves. Is there something I can do to improve the condition of the tree before all the leaves go that way? Many thanks for any helpful suggestions.

[murraymints]

Feed.....

[frugalfred]

Murraymints is right - feed. Probably short of magnesium, constituent of chlorophyll.

[Christianne]

Thank you so much, but can I bother you once more please. What sort of feed should I give it? Both are in pots, both about 3 feet in height. Both have little shoots coming up around the base. Should I allow them to continue to grow....they are very small at the moment. Should I repot them, and which compost should I use....John Innes 2 or 3?

[murraymints]

No 2... don't over water or allow to become water logged best to put any pot on raised surface...fish blood bone meal feed would do....mix in a bit grit or gravel when planting to assist drainage....

[boxtops]

are you sure the little shoots at the base are from the bay tree, not rootstock (or weeds)?

[murraymints]

Nip out shoots....repot every couple of years...tease root ball before repotting....although you could remove top couple of inches and replace with a fresh compost/ feed mix...