bay tree, was Rosemary

[Guest guest]

Thanks - that is excellent information.

 

It seems a good shape at present, but it is quite small. I will

definitely keep an eye on it with regard to the pruning. I'll plant

it out later in the summer. I'll let you know how it gets on.

 

Jo

 

, yarrow wrote:

>

> I haven't grown bay trees, but they can be grown in pots as long as

> you check the roots. If the roots are coming out of the drainage

> holes or winding around the edges of the pot, it's time to

transplant

> or root-prune.

>

> I wouldn't transplant it if there's snow on the ground! But

probably

> any time after the ground warms up and is diggable would be ok.

When

> you're putting it in the ground, take a few minutes to figure out

how

> to orient it -- this is obvious, but usually a tree has a better

> " face " on one side or another, especially if it's placed against a

> fence or a wall.

>

> It's a good idea to shape/prune trees when they're young to correct

> any structural problems -- as long as you don't overdo it and have

a

> good reason for each cut. If it has a good shape, it may not need

any

> pruning. Less is more! (The organization called Plant Amnesty in

> Seattle has an entertaining slide show on horrors of bad pruning --

> it may be on the web.) Get a couple books on pruning and study

them,

> or find someone who's an experienced pruner. One of the most

> important things to consider is that every pruning cut will

stimulate

> growth below the cut, so you are not only cutting away wood, you

are

> also telling the tree where to concentrate its next burst of

energy.

> In general, pruning in summer will stunt trees, which is often what

> you want. Pruning in wet weather invites pathogens to enter fresh

> wounds, so it's usually better to prune when rain is not forecast

for

> a couple days at least (not as crucial for bay trees as for, say,

> anything in the rose family).

>

>

> At 7:50 PM +0000 2/20/09, heartwerk wrote:

> >Can I ask also about bay. I have a small bay tree in a tub - it is

> >about eighteen inches high. At the moment it is looking healthy

and I

> >want eventually to plant it in the ground.

> >

> >What time of year is best for this? and when do I start to prune or

> >trim it?

> >

> >Jo

> >

> >>

> >> At 7:45 AM +0000 2/20/09, heartwerk wrote:

> >> >I seem to be unable to grow rosemary! Over the years I have

made five

> >> >attempts, and lost the small bushes each time. They never

even get

> >> >big enough to be transplanted out of the pot.

> >> >

> >> >Does anybody have any tips on growing rosemary?

> >>

> > , yarrow@ wrote:

> >> Rosemary likes excellent drainage, alkaline soil, and a warm

climate

> >> (or a container you can move indoors or to a sheltered spot for

the

> >> winter).

> >> If it's in a container, it needs to be watered regularly.

> >>

> >> It grows like a weed here. I planted a small one in the garden

last

> >> year and it needs no attention! All I do is prune it back when

it

> >> starts growing into the other plants. It's a low-growing variety

> >> planted between bearded irises, thyme, and marjoram, so it does

get

> >> some water when I water the irises in the dry season.

> >>

> >> Do you have a local garden center that knows plants? Usually

someone

> >> at a small independent nursery (not a chain/franchise) will know

> >> something about local soils and how to grow the plants they

sell.

> >>

> >> If you bought them all from one source, try a different nursery.

> >> Maybe they were not fully rooted, or the roots were beginning

to rot?

> >> Maybe the soil mix was too soggy, or the nursery workers

overwatered

> >> it?

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >---

> >

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> >-! Groups Links

> >

> >

> >

>