I have just repotted my bay tree with compost and a larger pot - what else do i need to do?

Question

I have a sorry looking bay tree that i have just repotted into a larger pot with some nice compost and have pruned off any dead twigs - do i need to do anything else or cut it back further in order for it to grow beautifully?!?!

Answer 1

If you used a good quality potting soil, not just compost, you will be fine. The only pruning you need to do is for shaping it, other than trimming off the dead branches, is if it is lopsided or ill-shaped. Do not use any Miracle Gro or any other fertilizer with it until you see some signs of good growth. It is never a good idea to fertilize an unhealthy plant. You should be using Root Stimulator to water it with, every couple of weeks for a couple of months. This has a B vitamin to help prevent transplant shock, a rooting hormone to help development of new roots, and a very mild fertilizer.

Bay trees often take a long time to respond to repotting and care, I have had one take several months before I saw any signs of new growth. As long as it has some green, supple leaves, it is still alive, just have patience with it.

Give it top light (light from above) and water only when dry. Bay trees normally grow in a pretty dry environment and don't need a tremendous amount of water. I water mine regularly, about once a week as needed, during the summer, and in the winter when I have them in my greenhouse (they are not hardy here) I only water sparingly until February, when they start growing again, then I resume regular watering.

Answer 2

Hi:
Many plant specimens can go into a shock period after being transplanted. This is normal and one thing I recommend to my clients is they use a light weight potting soil with no bark. Add some vermiculite and humas. You can go ahead and do this now as you just transplanted it. Add such organic mushroom compost to the soil as our bay tree will love this even if it doesn't smell that great! This is an organic fertilizer that will last up to one year. Keep it watered and make sure it is getting the proper sunlight.

I hope this has helped and if you need any more help or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at my website.
I will link you to my site map as this page has everything that is on the website. There are many different articles that may be able to help you.

Also, you can check the health of your Bay tree by taking your fingernail and scratching the surface of a branch. If it is green, the tree is healthy. If it is brown, the tree is in shock.

Do the steps above and you should have a healthy Bay tree. Good luck to you and have a great day!
Kimberly
http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Site.html

Answer 3

Did you plant it with a high quality potting soil with fertilizer added??? Twigs are not what you add to a potted plant.
Fully composted compost, not twigs is what you needed.

Compost looks like fine quality dirt when it it finished.

Start again, get a bag of Miracle grow potting soil. Take your tree back out of the pot. Make sure the pot has a hole for drainage, fill it about one quarter to one third with new soil, then set the tree into it and fill with soil up to the previous soil level.

Water it really well and let it set in a place where it can drain well. That's it.. Do not over water it. Over watering probably kills more plants that too little water. It causes root rot.

Good Luck. Use a little liquid fertilizer every couple of months when you water it.

Answer 4

Bay Tree In A Pot

Answer 5

you could prune to shape it if you like. this would send more energy to the roots to help it get going. and i think i'd fertilize it too with some organic fertilizer