Everyone knows this plant since childhood, despite the fact that its roots (literally and figuratively) are from the subtropics. We are talking about the noble laurel. Our mothers and grandmothers, great-grandmothers added and add such a familiar "lavrushka" to soups and main dishes for flavor, to various preparations for the winter: what kind of crispy pickles without bay leaves?
Perhaps this is one of the most famous spices in the vastness of Russia, and one of the most beloved and used in cooking. And who has not read, all in the same time, distant or recent, youth, ancient Greek myths, the myths of the country where the noble laurel was revered as a sacred tree? The heads of the victors were decorated with wreaths made of it, laurel groves were also considered sacred, rituals were performed in them with the aim of appeasing the gods, asking for protection, glory, victory in battle, on the lists.
Since we do not have subtropics, we will try to grow this "sacred" tree at home, in an apartment, especially since the plant is quite unpretentious and it will significantly decorate your interior. In the wild, the tree reaches rather high heights (10-15 m), in the conditions of apartment living - much less, nevertheless, think in advance where he will live with you, in the living room or in the kitchen, give him a fairly spacious and bright angle.
Laurel noble: home care
Temperature
He does not need too high a temperature in winter, +15 degrees is quite enough, in summer it is better to take the pot out to the balcony, on the veranda or on the street, if there is such an opportunity, arrange for him a vacation in the fresh air.
Lighting
A subtropical guest loves light, sun, but not hot - make an artificial partial shade, if direct rays cannot be avoided, water abundantly, preferably with warm water.
Watering
In the warm season, laurel prefers abundant watering. The plant is watered immediately after the top layer of the earth dries. For irrigation, use warm and well-settled water. In winter, watering is reduced. The laurel does not like to be poured, but the soil in the pot should not dry out completely.
Transfer
The tree grows slowly, however, requires annual replanting while still young. The transplant is a change of the pot, which has become too small for the laurel, to a pot of larger volume, do it carefully and carefully, without damaging the root system.
When the laurel reaches three to four years of age, you can replant it every two years or as needed: add peat, sand, humus to the soil for planting, the composition should be light enough, "breathable" and, at the same time, nutritious. You can add a little wood ash - the plant does not like acidic soils, ash compensates for excessive acidity, if any. Be sure, as necessary, spray the plant with water, dust accumulating on the leaves does not allow them to fully "breathe".
Top dressing and fertilizers
The bay tree needs both organic and mineral fertilizers. It is fed during the growing season.Better to use specialized fertilizers or reduce the recommended concentration. Laurel can and should be fed with fertilizers, but do not overdo it in this noble impulse: an excess of fertilizers can have a depressing effect on the plant.
Reproduction of laurel
Perhaps the most laborious and unpredictable process is reproduction. Laurel reproduces in two ways - cuttings and seeds. This process is quite lengthy. The cuttings take root for a long time, and it will take about three months for the seeds to germinate.
Seeds
Seeds placed for storage in the fall may not emerge at the beginning of spring (it depends on the storage conditions, they should neither dry out nor freeze), and cuttings are also very capricious material, they take root for a long time. Twigs 10–12 cm long should be planted in light (with a fairly high sand content) soil, covered with foil or glassware. We put the plant in a warm place, and wait until it takes root.
This can happen a few weeks after planting, please be patient enough to water when the soil dries out. Do not rush to "pluck" (for culinary purposes) the tree, let it grow, and it will thank you with wonderful, tasty-smelling leaves that cannot be compared with those that we buy in the store, because they are fresh, have not lost their unique aroma during prolonged transportation and storage and, most importantly, grown by your own hands.
Cuttings
The most suitable time for propagation of laurel by cuttings is March. For this purpose, semi-lignified twigs are suitable, the length of which has reached about 10 cm. In order for the cuttings to root better, they are treated with Kornevin or Heteroauxic. They are rooted in a pot in a mixture of sand and peat, placed in a mini-plate or covered with a glass jar. The room temperature should be between 24-25 degrees.
Diseases and pests
The main enemy of laurel is scabbard... When infected, the leaves become shiny and sticky, releasing essential oils. If the pest is dealt with with insecticides, laurel leaves should not be used as a seasoning.
