Serendippity!!!!! I was preparing some information for a little segment I do on herbs on the local TV station. I was going to talk about Bay but am having some trouble getting enough information. Any practical hints people have on Bay would be appreciated Here is wahat I have written so far Mad King Michael Michael's Fact sheet The Noble Bay, The Sweet Bay, The Olympic Herb Cooking/Food uses The centre piece of the classic mix of herbs called "Bouquet garni" or a bouquet of herbs. This is a mixture of herbs tied into a bunch or placed in muslin and removed after cooking. bay leaves are tough and need to be removed from the dish before serving. Bay laurel goes with almost anything it compliments most herb flavours. fresh leaves are better than dried. It is easy to dry your own leaves just pick them and leave in a warm spot in the kitchen! especially good with soups and casseroles. Try some boiled in with water you use to cook rice or pasta. An essential ingredient along with Tarragon for Bernaise sauce Cosmetic Oil sometimes used in bath oils and for skin Description tall stately tree to 50 feet(15m), dark green glossy leaves 3inches long Essential Oil The essential oil is rarely available (used in large scale food production) but one of its brothers "Bay Rum" is used in men's hair tonics and some Shampoos. The Fragrant Garden sells bay Rum oil ( very cheaply) Flowering time Erina Summer , small creamy white flowers Fragrance Distinctive and fresh. Contains 1,8 cineole (also found in eucalyptus) Alpha-terpinyl acetate (a lavender like fragrance) and linalool (the main fragrance chemical in Lavender. Growing Conditions frost Sunny well drained spot but is hardy in many positions. It will tolerate all but the very most extreme frost Horticultural use Often grow in pots and cut into standards makes and excellent hedge as it suckers easily. Just cut the hedge at the desired height and save the leaves for your dinner! Literature, Folklore, History, Myth/ Legend. .An excellent tree for repelling witches and lightening: "Neither Witch nor devil, Thunder nor lightning will hurt a man where a Bay tree is" Mizaldus the Wizard Traditionally in Ancient Greek and Roman times wreaths were made from the plants and placed upon the heads of victors, be it sporting or war. Medicinal Uses James Duke says "leaves and fruits are said to possess stimulant and narcotic properties" also traditionally used for Names. Common Botanical Bay Tree Sweet Bay Lauralus nobilis Pests The main pest is scale. This can be very difficult to control. In winter spray affected trees with white oil mixed with pyrethrum. be sure to spray all over the tree including under the leaves. Alternatively if your tree is small scrub off the scale from each leaf with soapy (not detergent) water and a old toothbrush. Propagation By cuttings or seed. Seed is difficult but gives faster growth. Cuttings can take 12 months to root. The suckers from plants seem to grow the quickest Size Very large Tree. Often grown in pots. Varieties At least fifteen varieties, mostly never seen in Australia. There is a golden variegated leafed variety and a willow leaved variety. The "Californian Bay" (Umbellularia californiica) should not be used in cooking z Miscellaneous Comments A bay Leaf placed in a flower storage jar is said to repel weevil and moths. Bay leaves repel cockroaches and feels this is due to the cineol in the leaves.(Cucumber skins also repel cockroaches due to the trans-2-noneal in the skin) Michael Bailes, The Fragrant Garden, Portsmouth Road, Erina. N.S.W. 2250 Australia. (OZ); International fax 61 243 651979 Phone 4367 7322 Web page at: http://www.fragrantgarden.com.au/ Email: <fragrantgarden@fastlink.com.au> *****************************************************************