2 bay trees seem to be dying?
Question:they are 10 yrs old and 5' tall in pots, over the last 3 weeks the leaves have turned brown, is there any way of saving them? not sure on what food they require or what to do with them. they've been healthy for the past ten years
Answers:
sorry I cant answer your question but I had to reply to you - I cant believe you have had them for 10 years, I cant keep a plant for longer than 3 weeks without it dying - so be proud of yourself for keeping them alive for 10 yrs
My best guess with out being able to see the plant in person is that they are Root-Bound..
When you grow shrubs and trees in pots the roots can get tangled and have a hard time taking in water...they become one BIG root.it may be too late for them.fall is a better time to do this , but,, here goes.
Remove plant from pot.look at roots.are they all wound around them selves..if so cut away some of the bigger roots leaving one good sized one and many of the fines ones..these finer roots have many "hairs" which are what take up the water...if the roots are looking good...well repot.
Good luck
It might seem daft to say this but they may have drowned. We recently had a fairly wet spell and if the drainage from the pots was poor or non-existent then the roots would have got water logged and before you know it the plant is in trouble. I had a similar problem and some drastic pruning was required and I just managed to rescue it. As far as plant food is concerned I just use a general fertilizer but not too often and stop in late August. Keep them out of cold winds(this could have been your problem) and if frost is likely get them inside or cover pots with bubble wrap and the leaves with agricultural fleece and the trunk with water pipe lagging. A fairly heavy prune in spring also helps the plant to flourish.
When did you last repot? Do you feed them? Are they in shade or full sun? Did the leaves turn yellow before they went brown or did they just dry up? Bay is very easy but it sounds as if you've just left them to get on with it. They're not particularly hungry plants but all shrubs need room to grow and a feed now and again. If there is still some green left cut it off they won't mind. Repot into a large container into a fairly well drained but moist compost and feed them occasionally. Remember plants in pots can't find their own food and water but rely on you.
repot
I had 2 in pots and they weren't doing very well so put them in the ground, they are shooting up like a sky rocket!
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