Laurel(Laurus nobilis) is an evergreen, decorative shrub, grown only in pots in our conditions. The slow growth, compact habit and decorative, shiny leaves make thelaurel treea perfect decoration for a terrace and balcony. Learnproperties and application of laureland find out what requirements forlaurel cultivationmust be met in order to make it look beautiful and grow he althily.
Laurel laurel, laurel tree - Laurus nobilis
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Laurel, laurel tree - appearance description
Laurel(Laurus nobilis) is most often called a laurel tree, and as a spice - bay leaf or bay leaf. It occurs naturally in the countries of the Mediterranean area. This evergreen plant grows quite slowly. Grown in containers, it reaches a height of 150 cm ( although in its natural state it grows into a large tree up to 20 m tall).
The leaves of the laurel give off a characteristic, bitter aromaand the flowers are small and inconspicuous. Plants grown in containers, bloom very rarely. Due to the high thermal requirementsin Poland, laurel is grown in containers .
Lush and compact habit and the possibility of pruning makenoble laurel often grown in the form of a small tree with a spherical crownIt decorates routes, porches and restaurant gardens. Before the onset of winter, the laurel tree is moved to rooms protected against the cold.
Laurel - properties and application
Green, freshbay leaves can be harvested all year roundWe dry them in an airy and shaded room, and then store them in tightly closed containers.
Bay leaf, due to its bitter aroma, is a valuable spice plantused especially in Mediterranean cuisine. It goes well with meat and fish dishes and as an addition to dishes with lentils or beans. In French cuisine, a bouquet of fresh herbs, the so-called bouquet garni (bay leaf, parsley, thyme), tied with a thread or sewn in a bag, is used for soups or sauces. In the Polish cuisinebay leaf is most often added tosoups, herring and sauerkraut dishes.
The noble laurel, apart from its spice use, is also valued in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, where it was appreciatedhealing properties of laurel
Bay leaves are a valuable spice and herbal raw material
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Bay leaves contain valuable essential oils , tannins, bitterness, starch, mucilage and sugar. Laurel has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, antispasmodic and regenerating properties. It helps in the fight against heart disease and diabetes. The alcoholic extract of laurel leaves is used in digestive system ailments, andcompresses made of powdered leaves have a healing effectin arthritis and neuralgia. When added to the bath, it stimulates blood circulation, cleanses, has a bactericidal and fungicidal effect.
Applied externallylaurel essential oil , thanks to its regenerative, bactericidal and disinfecting properties, it is used in the treatment of dandruff and diseases scalp. It is also helpful in the care of damaged, dry and acne-prone skin.
In gardening,laurel is used as a terrace plant , grown in containers and pots.He can spend the summer outside, and in the winter he has to be kept indoors. It is worth growing it in the company of other plants of Mediterranean origin, such as oleander or European olive.
Laurel laurel, laurel tree - Laurus nobilis
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Laurel - cultivation and requirements
A laurel tree requiressheltered from the wind (does not tolerate drafts), sunny and warm. It thrives best in a container that is slightly tight, filled with a fertile and permeable medium with a neutral to alkaline pH (pH 6.5-7.5). Replant the plant every 2-3 years or at least replace the top layer of soil with a fresh one.
The laurel needs frequent (every 2-3 days) wateringin the spring and summer seasons. The soil in the pot should always be kept moist. To help maintain a constant soil moisture, it is advisable to mix the soil with TerraCott before planting the plant.It is a conditioner containing fertilizer and ingredients that improve the soil structure and a hydrogel.
The latter component absorbs excess moisture after watering the plant (less water will leak out onto the stand under the pot) and gradually releases it as the soil dries up. Thanks to this, we save water for watering and we can extend the period between subsequent waterings. Above all, however, it is easier to ensureappropriate soil moisture for laurel
Becausethe laurel tree likes high air humidity , it can also be regularly sprinkled with soft water (it can be tap water left standing for 1 day). Like other dormant species, watering the bay in winter is kept to a minimum.
During the season, from April to July, we feed the laurel tree with multi-component mineral fertilizers or organic fertilizers (it is best to use both, alternately).Ifthe laurel tree is grown to obtain leavesfor spice or medicinal purposes, it is worth using natural vermicompost to fertilize the plant. After dilution with water, water the laurel tree with vermicompost every 2 weeks from spring to the end of summer.
Before the onset of frosts, whenthe laurel goes into a state of rest , move the pot to a bright, cool rooms with a temperature of 5-10 ° C. During this period, we limit watering and stop fertilizing completely.
At the end of winterit is worth pruning the bay tree , shortening the young, one-year-old shoots by half. The tree tolerates cutting well, so it can also be freely formed. Most oftenlaurel is cutin the shape of a cone, and the grafted forms on the trunk - in the shape of a ball.
At home it is easiest to doreproduction of the laurelby semi-woody cuttings collected in late summer.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
