Plants are much like shoes. A certain type will be in style for a couple of years and then ... POOF ... they're done. And you can't find them anywhere again. Even if they were comfortable, and you loved them and you didn't care if they were in style or not and you just wanted another pair because you killed your current ones.
Sucks to be you, 'cause those shoes are gone forever.
And so is that Fibre Optic plant.
This year when I went looking for plants for my garden I wanted to get a plant that I've been able to get for the past few years. A Fibre Optic plant that goes by the latin name, Isolepsis (Scirpus). It's gone. Nowhere to be found. Disappeared. It was in style for a few years, the new thing, loved by all ... and now the garden centres have cast it aside like a pair of Crocs. Or at least Croc charms.
I have a black, black misery of a rain cloud over my head because I can't find this plant.
What does this have to do with growing a Bay Tree? I think you know. Last year I saw a bay tree for sale in my local garden centre's herb section for the first time so I bought one. I saw them there again this year.
I am here to tell you that just because you can get Bay Trees this year does NOT mean you'll be able to get them next year. So if you see one, or any other plant you think you might like ... buy it. Because there is no Marshalls or Winners or Tiger Direct for plants.
As I said, I bought the Bay plant last year and it was about a foot high. I planted it in a sunny spot in the garden and picked bay leaves from it all summer. It grew and grew and grew to form a nice little plant. Come the end of September I started to worry about my little Bay tree and its never ending supply of fresh bay leaves that weren't ripped, blackened or covered in a weird greyish powder.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
So I dug my bay plant up, put it in a big pot and brought it into the basement where I promptly ignored it all winter. If I remember correctly I probably watered it around 5 times the entire winter. So maybe once a month when it looked like it was threatening to die on me.
In May I hauled it out of the basement and hardened it off outside over the course of about a week. Last week, I planted it and it was a great success. Bay leaves for everyone!
There are a few things you can successfully overwinter inside, including fig trees, peppers plants and ballet flats.
Shauna
You just reminded me that I need to find out if I can find another pair of my favorite ballet flats. I have tiny little ankles and can only wear shoes that are 'Mary Jane' style, so finding some that are comfortable and cute (a la, not old lady looking) can be difficult. I should learn to buy several pair at once.
Nancy Blue Moon
I can get fiber optic plants at an Amish greenhouse that I am going to this week..They have had them for many years there..I am hoping they still do as I want one this year also..Good luck..looks like you got some good leads above..
Amanda Pedro
we've had our laurel tree for about 10 years. We kept it in the front room during the winter and the deck for summer. That was fine when we lived in toronto with a 9 foot ceiling, but now we live in a cottage like house in NS with a 7.5 foot ceiling. We'll see how long it will live inside. Although, he 2nd floor has cathedral ceilings... Friends think it's special to get fresh bay leaves. nutters.
Feral Turtle
I actually thought you were looking for one of those plastic wire fiber optic trees lol. Then I read the comments. Pretty cool plant.
Bri
If you ever run out of leaves, let me know. We've got a 30 foot tall tree in our back yard. There is definitely something to be said for free spices! I've even made a wreath with the trimmings. Once. Because apparently I do not have the patience for that level of fussiness.
ruth
I work at a garden centre in BC, Karen - we always have isolepsis! Come on over and I'll set you up! I have a little bay tree too, but I have to fight scale all the time - it's a pain but I haven't given up yet. It's made it through 4 winters in my basement so far.
Daina
Just wondering where you got your bay left tree I am also in BC
ruth
At Minter country gardens in Chilliwack. We almost always have them.
Babs
Hi Karen, I googled Fibre Optic plant because I was curious....seems that you might be able to get it a two nurseries that aren't too far from you - one in Mississauga, and one in Caledon....both have websites so you could probably check with them before you waste gas and time....and the inevitable $$$ because once there, you likely won't come away empty handed...
As for your meat/vegan post - loved it! I also know people (and it is always women....) who claim to be vegetarians, until you put a certain meat dish in front of them....they are my Veg-unless really yummy meat-friends....
Gail
Hi
I did a quick search for fibre optic seeds. If you *need* the plants you might have to order the seeds and start them yourself.
http://www.mullerseeds.com/isolepis-live-wire.html
http://tinyurl.com/mogb9jr
I did a search for Isolepis cernua seeds.
Debbie Neal
Karen, I bought one a few years ago at our local Farmers Market. (We live in Memphis and I can leave it outdoors all winter! l The plant is so hearty! I pick leaves off of it all the time for my recipes. I absolutely love not having to buy them at the store. Now.. a question. Are they more potent fresh or dried?
Karen
Debbie - The flavour is actually better when they're dried for at least a few days. They are more potent dried the same way dried herbs like oregano and basil are more potent than fresh. I've also heard that fresh bay leaves can be a bit bitter when they're fresh (though I don't have any proof of this). ~ karen!
Mary Werner
Native Bay trees in Florida are all dying from some strange disease and the experts don't know why. So they are watching as big trees die and after all is said and done, they will go around and try to find a few that survive to propagate more. It is so sad. We had several and thought they were safe, then one branch wilted, then more, then they were gone. Native Florida Bays are not quite the same as the true culinary ones but they are very similar or "were". I envy you and your Bay tree!
Sabrina@loulousucre
I have a bay leaf tree that is about 6 feet tall. We don't have to bring in for the winter, though. (We don't have much of one.) Hope yours does well.
Lynn Rollins
nanny nanny boo boo, i have fiber optic plants in my biggest pots! nc must be behind on fad plants because i walked right in this year, saw them, grabbed them, planted them, and now, in all my gardener glory, i get to enjoy them and taunt you with the fact i have them. i'd mail you some, but they'd be dead dead dead. i will say, i had them many many years ago, longed for them and then boom shakalaka, they're baaaa-ck. la ti da, la ti da, i think i'll go enjoy my morning tea on my deck with my optics. have a lovely day with your bay!
Karen
Hi Lynn! It's not nice to taunt a blogger. ~ karen!
Lynn Rollins
you're right, it isn't, i just couldn't help myself. you weren't awake to defend yourself. i think i'll go out and admire my plants some more.
Terry
Karen,
Unless the garden center is your secret place would you mind sharing with us where you got this plant.
How big does it get? Just thinking it might be impossible to move it indoors in a few years due to size and leaving an unsightly crater in the backyard.
Karen
Terry - I've noticed Bay plants at most garden centres. Terra nurseries and Holland Park Garden Centres for sure, and the Loblaws with garden centres might have them as well. ~ karen!
Sylvie
Good morning Karen,
In the event that you want to replace your "lost" fibre optic plant - http://www.damseeds.ca/productcart/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=904
Karen
LOL! OMG! That's my plant! I'll go up there as soon as I can and get the seeds! Thanks! ~ karen
Cheryl Lindsay
I had a bay tree for years!!! It was over 8' tall and I planted it as a maybe foot tall twig! It died and I have no idea why and have not been able to find a replacement twig anywhere!!! I'm in central NC.
:(
Laura Bee
Have you ever tried growing a fig? I almost bought a plant last year. Didn't know you could overwinter it. hmmmm...
Karen
I planned to buy a fig tree this year actually but never got around to it. There's a guy who sells them quite close by. ~ karen!
Laura Bee
"There's a guy..." Everyone knows a guy for whatever you need! haha - half the time, you're my "guy". I wish I could hire you for a weekend.
laurie
We live in Maine,,does this plant need to come inside for the winter or was that specific to where you live? I may like to try it. Thanks!
Karen
Hi Laurie - If you're in Maine, you'll have to bring the Bay plant inside too. I'm just outside of Toronto so our weather would be simialar. Bay Laurel is sensitive to frost and cold. It would die if you tried to leave it out all winter. ~ karen!
Anemone
So Proven Winners doesn't have it any more either?
Karen
Anemone - I have no idea if they provide it or not, the problem is (and I'm pretty much over it now) the local nurseries aren't carrying it anymore. ~ karen!
Cathy
Does this mean your writer's block is gone?
Karen
LOL. Um. No. I'm doing fine with writing my posts ... it's the 750 word magazine article I'm having trouble getting done. Or started. :) ~ karen
Peg
lucky you, I had a bay leaf plant indoors for a few years,then it was the dreaded leaf drop??? Too much of a bother to winter over in Bend Oregon.Maybe time to get another??!!
Growing up in California,I worked for a lady who had 4~6'tall plants growing by her front door(lovely).