How to store an overwatered bay laurel until replanting?
November 6, 2013 12:31 PM Subscribe
How should I store my bare-root baby bay laurel overnight?
I uprooted my new, small (about 10" total including roots), potted bay laurel today when I noticed that the soil it came in was terrible (wouldn't drain at all) and seemed to have become home to a fruit fly or two. Gross. I don't have time to go get better soil and re-pot today. The plant spent a couple of days in this crappy non-draining soil, and I know that bay laurel likes to dry out between waterings -- should I just leave it in the open air overnight and let it breathe? Or do I need to wrap it in plastic/put wet paper on the roots/put it in the fridge?
I uprooted my new, small (about 10" total including roots), potted bay laurel today when I noticed that the soil it came in was terrible (wouldn't drain at all) and seemed to have become home to a fruit fly or two. Gross. I don't have time to go get better soil and re-pot today. The plant spent a couple of days in this crappy non-draining soil, and I know that bay laurel likes to dry out between waterings -- should I just leave it in the open air overnight and let it breathe? Or do I need to wrap it in plastic/put wet paper on the roots/put it in the fridge?
Best answer: Until you can replant, you want to keep the roots consistently moist but not wet/submerged in water. I'd wrap moistened paper towels around the roots and put the wrapped root ends in an open plastic bag -- don't seal it. I really wouldn't wash the roots; you'll be breaking off all the micro-roots and the plant may not recover.
Oh, and those were almost certainly fungus gnats, not fruit flies that you saw. They only thrive when the soil is too wet, so as long as you're changing out the potting mix, you should be good to go so long as you don't over-water.
Bay likes an environment in well-drained potting mix where the top couple of inches of planting mix gets dry, but doesn't like completely dry conditions. Take care to not leave bay (really any plant except aquatics) standing in a saucer of water.
Bays will live a long time with care. I have one here that's been a houseplant for over 20 years.
posted by vers at 4:36 PM on November 6, 2013
Oh, and those were almost certainly fungus gnats, not fruit flies that you saw. They only thrive when the soil is too wet, so as long as you're changing out the potting mix, you should be good to go so long as you don't over-water.
Bay likes an environment in well-drained potting mix where the top couple of inches of planting mix gets dry, but doesn't like completely dry conditions. Take care to not leave bay (really any plant except aquatics) standing in a saucer of water.
Bays will live a long time with care. I have one here that's been a houseplant for over 20 years.
posted by vers at 4:36 PM on November 6, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you're definitely able to plant tomorrow, thoroughly rinse the roots in the bathtub to get all the crappy soil off and prop it up in a corner on a towel or mat. If it will be a few days before you can get around to it, soak a towel, wring it out well, and loosely drape the damp towel around the root ball. Just make sure that the growing ends/tails of the roots don't dry out too much and you'll be good to go.
Enjoy your new tree!
posted by divined by radio at 1:29 PM on November 6, 2013