Why not combine good looks with utility in the garden too? The real laurel, for example, is an evergreen shrub that, thanks to its tolerance of pruning, can be easily cultivated into decorative shapes. In addition, essential oils that can enrich our dishes slumber in its elongated oval leaves. Since the spice laurel is a southern plant with a tendency to freeze, it must be well protected.
Table of Contents
Characteristics
- Spice laurel is also known as real laurel
- the botanical name is Laurus nobilis
- belongs to the laurel family
- grows as a small tree or evergreen shrub
- comes from Asia, where it can reach a height of 10 m
- in this country it reaches 1 to 3 m in height
- is cut compatible and easy to form
- can be grown well in pots
- loves sunny places, is sensitive to frost
- the leaves are elongated oval and shiny leathery
- flowers green-yellow from March to May
- black berries then form
- Laurus nobilis is considered a medicinal and spice plant
- Leaves and fruits contain essential oils
- can be harvested all year round
Known Varieties
- Auera: shoots out yellow leaves, is sensitive to wind
- Angustifolia: grows slowly, is more sensitive to frost, has narrow leaves
- Saratoga: classic variety, needs little water, ideal for poor soils
location
Laurus nobilis , as the laurel is botanically correct, is a sun-kissed plant. An average summer in this country is just about able to meet its demands. However, winter is a critical time, which laurel survived outdoors only in mild regions of our country. Growing in a mobile bucket is therefore a frequently chosen alternative. This can be brought to safety in good time before frost, together with its contents. Here are the guidelines for the optimal location:
- a full sun, sheltered from the wind
- with at least 5 hours of sunshine daily
- Plant or place in half shade at most
- cold winds are undesirable
- longer periods of frost below -5 °C are not tolerated
soil claims
The plant is only adamant about its sun preference. On the other hand, when it comes to soil quality, the frugal spice laurel can be grown almost anywhere. Although it prefers nutrient-rich and well-drained soil, normal garden soil and commercial potting soil are also acceptable.
- Garden soil mixed with peat and sand is ideal
- compost can also be worked in
- Good water drainage is important both outdoors and in buckets
- outdoors, the soil is loosened with sand
- a drainage layer is absolutely necessary in the bucket
plant
Lauras nobilis is available in pots from specialist retailers all year round. Young plants rooting in this way can theoretically be planted on any frost-free day of the year. Nevertheless, the starting conditions are not always the same. Hot days in summer, for example, are an additional challenge that stresses the crop. Therefore, buy and plant in spring or autumn if possible. How to proceed with planting:
- Loosen the garden soil by adding sand as needed.
2. Dig an approximately 80 x 80 planting hole.
3. Mix the excavation with compost or another slow-release organic fertilizer.
4. Place the pot in a bucket of water until the root ball is soaked.
5. Take the laurel out of the pot and place it in the prepared planting hole.
6. Fill in the gaps with soil and press down firmly.
7. Water thoroughly again.
8. Put a support stake in the ground and tie the crop.
Cultivate laurel in a bucket
If you want to grow the spice laurel in the tub, you should transplant it soon after purchase. The pot in which it is offered commercially is usually very tight. Be sure to choose a pot with ample drainage holes for transplanting. A drainage layer of coarse material such as gravel and sand is required to prevent waterlogging. For repotting in the course of its long life:
- repot in spring
- immediately after moving out of winter quarters
- cut off part of the roots with scissors
- this stimulates new root growth
- water well after repotting
- older plants only need a new pot every 3-4 years
- place in a shady spot for a few weeks after repotting
pour
True laurel is not a big water consumer. Nevertheless: Just as little as waterlogging, he also dislikes drought. The warmer the days get, the more necessary it is to examine the soil. The soil dries out faster, especially in the bucket.
- water regularly in summer
- Root ball should never dry out completely
- Rainwater is ideal, but hard water is not
- no superficial watering!
- always thoroughly wet the soil when watering
- For potted plants, pour away the water from the trivet
- occasionally spray with lukewarm, stale water
- However, only in the afternoon when the sun is not burning
Even in winter, laurel occasionally needs small amounts of water because the plant is evergreen.
Fertilize
When you grow bay laurel, you don’t have to fertilize it regularly like other plants. If it is planted in nutrient-rich soil or supplied with compost right from the start, it has a well-stocked nutrient depot that it can draw on for a long time. However, if you like, you can ensure that it is constantly refilled.
- fertilize once a year in spring
- with compost or another long-term fertilizer
- alternatively fertilize with green manure
- every two weeks during the growing season
Make sure you use the element nitrogen sparingly. An oversupply of it attracts the Laurus nobilis with long, thin shoots. It loses its original shape.
Propagation by cuttings
A new spice laurel can easily be grown from a cutting.
- Cut top cuttings in early summer
- choose only semi-lignified shoots
- remove bottom leaves
- Fill the pots with potting soil and some sand
- alternatively with a peat-sand mixture
- Insert cuttings into the substrate
- keep moist and warm
- if necessary put a transparent plastic bag over it
- remove them regularly to air them out
Propagation by offshoots
If you are growing spice laurel in the garden, see if it has long and pliable shoots.
- start in March or April
- bend a shoot down until it lies on the ground
- fix the position with a stone or pickaxe
- cover the ground contact point with earth
Where the shoot is covered by soil, new roots will form over time. Patience is required here, however, as this can take time. If new leaves and shoots form, rooting has been successful. The small plant can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted.
Propagation by seed
You can grow spice laurel from seed at any time of the year. This is possible because the entire procedure takes place indoors. Laurus nobilis seeds are available cheaply from specialist retailers. How to grow young plants from it:
- Soak the bay seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
2. Fill a large bowl with potting soil and spread the seeds evenly over it.
3. Put a 1 cm layer of soil on top.
4. Cover the pot with cling film or glass. This creates a favorable germination climate.
5. Place the pot in a warm place, but not in direct sunlight.
6. Keep the substrate evenly moist but not too wet.
7. Air the cover regularly to prevent mold from forming underneath.
8. After about 3-9 weeks the seeds will germinate. You can remove the foil again.
9. After another 6-8 weeks you should transplant each seedling into its own small pot.
Propagation by root suckers
Real laurel, which grows in loose, humus-rich soil, often forms root suckers. Once the aerial part of a stolon is 10cm high, you can dig up the roots and separate it from the mother plant. However, enough roots should remain for it to grow better. You have the best chance of success with this method in spring and autumn. Transplanting can be done either in another place in the garden or in a pot.
To cut
Laurus nobilis does not necessarily have to be cut. But the cultivation of spice laurel should not only be worthwhile in terms of taste, but also visually. The more often it is cut, the more compact it grows. It can be shaped in a similar way to the box. For example a spherical crown.
- Leaves can be cut off at any time for cooking
- carry out larger pruning measures between November and March
- Topiary between July and August
- Bay laurel sprout vigorously after cutting
- the form can be lost again quickly
- therefore trim strict geometric shapes regularly
- Real laurel also sprout from old wood
- therefore radical cutbacks are possible
- e.g. B. if the plant has grown too big
