I was given this sweet bay last year for a present. It has not grown at all and just looks, unhealthy. The lady and the local gardening store said to cut it back and it may grow again. It is in a teracotta pot with just plain miracle grow potting soil. It sits on my northward facing back porch which gets partial sun. Any help or ideas would be appreciated as I an trying to get this guy back to life. I am located in zone 8b. thanks
It wants a soil that drains VERY well - especially in shallow pots; "drains very well" excludes Miracle-Grow soil products, which are all particularly water-retentive. It likes temps 70* or above and lots of outdoor sun. If you're not feeding it regularly, you should be. My preference is Foliage-Pro 9-3-6, which contains ALL the essential nutrients in a ratio the plant will appreciate, and it doesn't get its N from urea, which most don't realize is a significant + for houseplants.
Al
