Yellow Bay Leaves

I'm desperate not to do wrong to this Bay but the leaves are turning yellow:confused:
Would a dose of Sequestered Iron help, or anything else!

 

I would pour some on, my hydrangea is getting greener for it.

 

I'm afraid for that size bay, the container is much too small and the compost is almost certainly exhausted. There maybe traces of remaining nutrients sufficient to sustain a few weak growing plants, but not enough to keep the bay in good health. No amount of additives will provide a permanent solution and although you might succeed in temporarily 'greening up' the plant, the long term effects are that it will become progressively weaker.

A complete re-pot is necessary using a good quality, loam-based compost such as John Innes No3 to which you should add about 10% by volume horticultural grit or sand. This will ensure good drainage and adequate, vital aeration for the roots. Generally you'll need to go to a good garden centre for the grit or sand since the various DIY sheds have no understanding of horticultural grade aggregates. Ornamental grits including pea-gravel are far to large and you should steer clear of builder's sand (too many impurities, some of them toxic to plants) or the stuff used for kiddies sand pits (too fine). Soil-less (even the so-called 'tree & shrub' composts) are useless for growing woody plants in containers over a long period. They run out of nutrients very rapidly and are unable to hold on to essential trace elements. These simply wash out of the compost during watering.

The container size needs to be significantly larger as well - approximately matching the diameter of the crown, which means that the container should be twice as big. Make sure that there are enough drainage holes of sufficient size to be effective. All too often, ornamental containers have just a single, less than 1cm. diameter hole to cater for the drainage of 15 litres or more of compost. As a broad rule of thumb, a 30cms. diameter container needs 2 - 3, 1 - 1.5 cm. diam. drainage holes and for up to 40cms. at least 4 and preferably 5 holes. More is better than less especially where deep pots are concerned.

HTH.

 

...how about planting it in the ground? Mine started life as a little twiglet - and after planting out, is a beast of a specimen - I can't cut it back quick enough!

I don't know enough about it all, but I'd drench it with some good feed then pop it in the ground, fingers crossed!

Good luck with it!

 

I'm glad I read thsi thread because I too have a bay and can see that it will most certainly need to be re-potted.

Thanks. have helped me out again.

 

Thanks for the info folks:thumb: I would prefer to plant it in a border but Mrs Pal is after a bigger planter...:rolleyes: Wonder who'll get their way??