Hi;- I am just a hobbyist not an expert. Here are my observations and what has come to mind from looking at your photos.

The first plant is a perfect plant let it grow as a natural twin trunk style.

Second photo;- Observe the shorter trunk, it already has a natural soft curve which is really eye pleasing. If you have Bonsai wire you can wire that trunk and start bending it away from the main trunk with continuing the curve from the first leave. A stake can also be used to carefully tie that second trunk to it without reversing the effect of the natural direction of the trunk's initial movement. You could create an awesome starting first branch or the second trunk whichever is your preference.

Let the third one develop, as it is actually quite delightful as a formal upright. This is a classic as it is a very easy and basic design shape.

Last photo does lend itself to informal upright style. I would suggest with your next potting, plant it so that the main trunk slightly titles toward your left.

I would highly encourage you to do a web search on the styles mentioned to see if that would be something that you would like to do with your plants. The idea is to not just grow plants but to also have fun making your plant that is ordinary today into a nice specimen to proudly display in the future! The best way to accomplish this is to begin when the plant is still very young and continue as the plant grows.

I would not be concerned about the leaves at this time. If you have not started the feeding program for them now is a good time to start.

Hope to Help!

{{gwi:7760}}

Firstly congratulations on your success with germinating bay seeds. Bay's natural habit of growth is stiffly upright. Large trees tend to form a natural bulgy cone shape, not unlike a prickleless holly. Whether you remove one of the stems depends on what you want your tree to like like eventually. As you are in Zone 5a I am assuming the trees will remain in pots and need to be kept to a managable size for moving about. If you grow a single stem you can go for a lollipop or cone formal style or a corkscrew if you are feeling adventurous. The two stems could also be grown as a cone. Alternatively you could leave them to do their own thing and end up with a multi trunked tree with a rounded top. Bay will always look pretty tidy because of the natural stiffness of its habit. Personally, I would not go for the asymetrical styles suggested by supannee. I don't think they would suit bay either visually or practically. It does not lend itself to flowing shapes being a stiff tree with stiff leaves. (I am looking at my neighbour's bay at the moment.It is slightly taller than the 3 storey house next to it. The branches all point upwards at nothing much flatter than about 45 degrees) Also remember you are going to be removing leaves constantly, so a symetrical shape enables you to work around the tree equally. Since you have several babies you could try different ideas but how about trying to make at least one matching pair for your doorway or path?

Thank you both for your responses.

As IÂm not inclined to fuss too much over shaping plants, I think IÂll let them take their own path. I will also leave the double stem ones as they are. It should be interesting to see how they develop.

Cheers,

Bill

What kind of tree is bay exactly is it large like a normal tree or like
bonsai? I wanted to try to grow it but other than how
you use the leaves I'm completely clueless about it.

Bay Laurel in California (Mediterranean climate) can get to be 20' tall and 8-10' wide. I have mine in a large planter and it stays at an untidy 4' x 4'.

drm180,

A very finacy plant to grow from seed. I order my seed from a company 300M from me that treats it before they ship. Place an order in March ($7 CDN) and in May/June you get 12 - 14 seeds. Gotta plant right away and germination rate is 20-40%

If you really want to give Bay Laurel a shot, email me at ottawapepper(at)hotmail(dot)com. I'll forward the company link.

Bill

i'm trying to grow a bay tree in the ground in NJ...it's not suppose to be hardy, but I know it is quite a resistant tree...anybody tried?

I just dropped in looking for a potpourri recipe and got sucked into this thread ... am thrilled to finally have a young bay myself.

Ottawa, what lovely little seedlings! Good work.

Freshtomato, I think you're going to have to give a little more information to get a good answer to your question. Although most of NJ is USDA Zone 6, a good portion is Zone 7 and a little corner up in the mountainous northwest is Zone 5.

I've only seen bay rated as winter hardy to zone 8, so I wouldn't chance leaving mine outside, even here in coastal zone 7; but if you're also in 7, can give it a protected location, keep it well-mulched, and we have a fairly mild winter, it just might make it. I hope someone with more experience with this plant can give you an answer more to your liking :-)

Diane

Freshtomato,

In Essex county we bring the bay indoors. Wouldn't otherwise survive.

My Sunset book says they are hardy to 20 degrees (F). I get frost in So Cal and mine hasn't been bothered.

Are you sure that yellow leaf isn't just a primary leaf that dies anyway? Relax, they look fine to me! It looks like you may have a little leaf burn one or two tips. Mine gets that too sometimes, but it hasn't effected overall growth. Nice work!

I like the multi-trunk suggestion. I think that will look neat too. Can you weave them together like those fig trees?