Bay trees

[Angelah]

My in-laws have had two lovely standard bay trees, one each side of their front door for quite a number of years, but they've recently been neglected, so they've decided to get rid of them and replace them with new ones.

I'm sure they can be rescued and revived, so am having them, and am hoping someone on here might be able to help!!! I will probably plant them into the ground - or would they be best repotted - albeit into bigger pots? Can I just dig in/repot them in normal compost or do they need anything special? What about feeding them? They've got a bit leggy and off colour - pos from lack of water? Or are they prone to anything more sinister?!

[Angelah]

[Amazin]

As a first step, I would take them out of the pots and see what you find - it may be that the roots have become pot-bound. If so, a bigger pot and fresh compost and the usual TLC (watering, maybe a light prune)should see them right.

[allaboutliverpool]

I have moved several standard bay trees over the years, and although they are good in pots, they do better in the ground.

They tend to look awful for about two years with scanty leaves and shoots but in the 3rd year you will be rewarded with lush growth, so be patient.

If repotting, use a John Innes type of compost or a 50/25/25 mixture of soil/peat/garden compost.

If there are any suckers, remove them with a bit of root, put in pots and it will take 5-6 years to pruduce your own standards.

Good luck

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

[saddad]

We have several standards raised by just that method  ;D

[chappy]

put in pots and it will take 5-6 years to pruduce your own standards.

Blimey!  That explains why they cost so much.