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Author Topic: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?  (read 13,796 times)

AI Summary
The discussion centers around the challenges of growing Indian bay leaves (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) in the UK. Several participants share their experiences, with most concluding that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to successfully cultivate the plant in the UK climate. One user reports some success after bringing back trees from Bangladesh, while others express frustration with germination and growth issues. Overall, the consensus leans towards the difficulty of growing Indian bay leaves in the UK.

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Offline Ader1

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Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« on: December 29, 2013, 03:22 PM »
I'd like to get my hands on one of these plants if it's possible to grow it in the UK.  Anybody know of a supplier or had any experience of growing this essential plant for Indian cuisine?  Thanks.
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Offline Nick D

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2013, 03:07 PM »
Hi

I tried to grow the Indian bay leaves Cinnamomum zeylanicum 3 years ago from seeds purchased from B&T world seeds.
Had to wait over a year for fresh seeds to become available, very tricky to germinate and not sure how easy to grow in this country.
Were not cheap about  ?1 a seed I got about 15. Gave them out to various green fingered relatives in hope would get 1 to grow but had zero luck.
Would be very interested to hear if any one else has had any success.

Regards,

Nick.
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Offline DalPuri

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2013, 04:12 PM »
Hi Nick,
I think it would be nigh on impossible to grow in the UK, unless you have your own tropical arboretum.
Here's a few links you might find useful.

http://www.tropecol.com/pdf/open/PDF_50_1/19Sharma.pdf

http://www.ayujournal.org/article.asp?issn=0974-8520;year=2013;volume=34;issue=2;spage=193;epage=199;aulast=Sunil

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3617.0




Cheers, Frank.  :)

p.s. The majority of Indian bay thats used in Indian restaurants would be either Cinnamomum Malabathrum or Cinnamomum Tamala
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Offline hunnepap

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2015, 07:39 AM »
I'm looking for something to read for a long time.
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Offline livo

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2015, 08:58 AM »
Dr Zeuss
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Offline Emma Santiago

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2016, 10:38 AM »
I have tried growing Indina bay leaf but got zero percent lucky. it is impossible to grow in the atmosphere like UK...
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Offline Invisible Mike

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2016, 07:44 PM »
I've got some tej patta seeds. Currently waiting for them to germinate which can take up to 6 months apparently.
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Offline Lancer7860

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2017, 09:54 PM »
I've taken the easy route, bought two 6ft tall Indian bay leaf trees during my visit back in February to Bangladesh, wrapped them well and managed to bring them over to the UK. I potted them both in two separate  pots. One started the dying process from top to bottom the moment it was exposed to British climate (which is awful). The other just stood there as though it was frozen in time and it remained like that for three months. Then magically from the beginning of June new shoots started sprouting producing fresh shiny leaves. We are now in july and the tree has now produced little bulbs at the tip of the sprouts and I guess these bulbs will flower and produce seeds. All in all it seems to be a success, so far at least.
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Offline Nickywelsh

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Re: Anybody grwing Indina bay leaf?
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2017, 02:31 AM »
Do I admit this to the group?!?!

I've been cooking curry for nearly 15 years, but until I joined this group I did not know that the bay leaf I've been using is specifically European and that Indian is so different. I obviously vigorously beat myself with a stick upon this realisation, and ran straight out to buy the genuine article. The difference is more noticeable than I'd imagined. Like, I just wouldn't bother using any if all I had was European.

What amazed me though, was in all my years living in London and frequenting Indian grocers/stores, I don't recall ever once seeing anything on offer other than the European leaf. I live in NZ now and have found a source whom I will treasure!
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