Laurus

Family. Lauraceae.

Homeland of the plant. Azores and Canary Islands, Mediterranean.

Description. Laurus is a small genus consisting of only two species of slow-growing evergreen shrubs and trees with erect, green, dark green, shiny, leathery, very dense and fragrant leaves 6 to 12 centimeters long and 2 to 4 centimeters wide. The edges of the leaf blades are sometimes wavy. The plant blooms with pale yellow small flowers about 1 centimeter in diameter, they are located in pairs, in the axils of the leaves. Flowers are male and female. Noble laurus bears fruit with round, shiny black berries about 1 centimeter in diameter on long petioles. Each berry contains only one seed.

Height. In cultivation, the height can be easily adjusted by pruning.

Home care

Diseases and pests 

The plant can rot if there is excess moisture. Laurus loses leaves if kept too warm in winter - take the bush to a cooler room. Downy mildew occurs when it is overwatered in cool conditions. Leaf blades can get burned when exposed to direct sunlight. 

Of the harmful insects, plants can be attacked by scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs, and aphids. Sometimes earthworms get into the pot.

Growing indoor

To maintain a beautiful, neat shape, laurel is pruned annually, which it tolerates very well and easily produces lateral shoots. With the help of pruning, you can grow trees of almost any height and shape - pyramidal, round, square. If possible, try to take the pot out into the fresh air in the summer and spring.

Reproduction 

Laurus is propagated by sowing seeds in winter or early spring. Containers with seedlings are placed in a warm place with a temperature of 17 - 20 degrees Celsius. Seeds are sown in loose nutritious soil. The bush is also propagated vegetatively by stem and apical semi-lignified cuttings. The cuttings are rooted in nutritious and loose soil using growth hormones under a cover of transparent plastic, polyethylene film or glass. Cuttings do not root in water.

Transplant 

These plants feel good when they are a little cramped in the pot, but the need for replanting occurs approximately once every two years. The fact that the bush has become cramped in the pot will be indicated by the roots that will appear in the drainage holes of the pot. Replanting is carried out in the spring, while it is not necessary to change the size of the pot. For large specimens, the top 5 cm layer of soil is replaced with fresh soil every year. When planting, it is worth observing the depth at which the laurel was in the previous soil.

Soil for growing 

Laurus prefers nutritious soils with a fairly high organic content, for example, based on peat, leaf humus with the addition of coarse river sand to improve drainage. Sand can make up up to a quarter of the total volume of the mixture. The soil must have a neutral or slightly alkaline pH.

Flowering time 

Rarely blooms in cultivation. 

Lighting, backlight

Laurus prefers to be in a brightly lit place without direct sunlight, especially on hot summer days. In winter, it also needs good lighting, but if the room temperature drops to 5 - 7 °C, the tree will stop growing and lighting will not play any role. When grown in good lighting conditions, the bush looks thicker and branches abundantly.

Containment temperature

It grows well at normal room temperatures in spring and summer, but from November to February the plant needs to be given a cool rest period and brought into a room with a temperature of about 13 degrees Celsius.

Fertilizing

Laurus is fed only during the period of active growth, every month with mineral fertilizers for decorative foliage plants. The plant also responds well to organic fertilizers.

Spraying

It can be kept in dry air of living spaces, but to prevent pest invasion, it is better to spray the leaves periodically. The tree needs good air circulation - keep it in ventilated rooms.

Watering

In spring and summer, watering should be plentiful - until the earthen clod is completely washed out. Between waterings, the soil is dried to a depth of several centimeters. In winter, watering is reduced to such an extent as to prevent the soil from drying out. The plant will indicate the need for next watering with the help of leaves that have slightly lost turgor. For irrigation use softened water at room temperature. After watering, excess moisture is immediately removed from the pan. 

Purpose

The leaves of this plant have long been used to prepare a variety of dishes.

Note

Laurus can live indoors for many years and thrive if it receives proper care. The shiny, fragrant leaves of laurus were once used by the ancient Romans and Greeks to make wreaths that adorned the heads of sports champions and war victors. Laurus essential oil is used in the production of perfumes. One of the beneficial properties is that the plant releases special substances into the air - phytoncides, which help fight bacteria and viruses. The aroma of laurus leaves tones, relieves fatigue, the leaves of the plant can relieve colic in small children.