My bay tree HATES me !

[scotch-mist]

Like the heading says "MY bay tree hates me"  :(
I got it as a mothers day present, and thought it was too cold a time of year to put it out as there was still frost about, so I kept it in my bedroom away from tiny fingers, but it wasn't happy. The leaves started to turn yellow and dry up.
  I misted the leaves and watered it with rain water and moved it into the cooler porch thinking it was too warm. (still not happy)
  Maybe it wants a bigger pot ? so got one and some ericaceous compost. (still not happy)
  Weather started to pick up so moved it outside into a sheltered area, (still not happy)
    Maybe its lonely, moved it to beside my wee Japanese maple. (hates it there too)
  Maybe its hungry, fed it some Miracle-grow ericaceous plant food.
Killed it  :(
Now I have a dried bay tree.
Question: should  I give up on it ? buy another ? or stick to parsley ?

[scotch-mist]

[betula]

Oh dear,I have heard that parsley can be difficult to germinate ;D

[scotch-mist]

Parsley is a dawdle compared to this dratted tree.
Seriously, I have never gave anything so much TLC and got nothing in return.
It really hates me.  Do you think it's pay back for all the recipes I had planned for it ? ::)

[PurpleHeather]

Seems you killed it with love.

Mine had grown so big that I had to cut it hard down and filled my 'green bin' with most of it.

I had if for about three years as a pot plant and always put it out doors after the first frost. One year it got so large re-potting was no longer an option. I planted it under the window hoping that it would get enough warmth and shelter from the brickwork.

It survived the first winter so I left it there. It has never had a drop of feed baby bio or anything.

As for parsley, I always start it off in pots, I have learned not to let it dry out so I keep the pots, outdoors in a tub that always has some water in the bottom, (about half an inch) during the summer. Over winter I put the pots in the unheated greenhouse and have a constant supply. Growing a fresh lot from seed every year.

I always cut it down to nothing when I use it and fresh growth comes quickly.

Try again with another bay tree. May be it is a 'treat it rough to keep it tough' plant.

[daileg]

i had mine in a pot for about a year then planted in normal peat free and then went in to my front garden semi shaded along withe mint ist currently doubled in size over the spring never fed it only water when very dry and hot