How to Grow a Cinnamon Tree: Master These Cultivation Methods and Precautions

We usually assume that cinnamon is the bark of the osmanthus tree, but that is not the case. Cinnamon is the product of the cinnamon tree, and the cinnamon tree is also called the "peace tree." When we search for how to grow cinnamon trees, the information available is relatively scarce, but searching for the "peace tree" can open a window for us into growing cinnamon trees.

How to Grow a Cinnamon Tree

Cinnamon mostly grows in evergreen broad-leaved forests, and is generally cultivated on sand dunes or sloping hillsides. It prefers warm, humid, sunny climatic conditions. Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic red sandy loam is suitable for its growth. Generally, it sprouts about one month after sowing. At this point, weeds should be removed promptly, a shade shed should be erected to prevent scorching sun exposure, and frequent watering is needed to keep the soil moist and prevent drought.

Cinnamon Tree Cultivation Methods and Precautions

1. Site selection and land preparation: The best choice is yellow loam with deep soil, loose texture and good drainage. It is not suitable to grow seedlings in soil with a high groundwater table or a large sand content. For land preparation, plow and sun the field thoroughly. After the topsoil has been sun-bleached, form beds 1.2 m wide with 40 cm wide furrows, break up the clods and rake smooth. For planting, choose hillside land, because hillside land is mostly yellow loam with loose, deep soil, which favors the growth of deep-rooted plants.

2. Seed treatment: In February to March, when the fruit skin of cinnamon seeds turns purplish black, they can be harvested in batches. The harvested fresh fruit should be placed in a water tank and washed to remove the fruit skin and pulp, then taken out and dried until the surface moisture is gone, after which they can be sown. Seeds should not be exposed to sunlight or stored for long periods. If buying from the market, choose fresh, plump, large fruits, and wash and treat them immediately after bringing them home, then dry them and plant.

3. Sowing method: About 50 kg can be sown per mu, either by dibbling or broadcasting, with a seed spacing of about 6 cm. After sowing, cover the surface with a thin layer of soil, water, and then directly cover with fern grass.

4. Seedling management: 20 days after sowing, when the seedlings have grown to 6-7 cm tall, the fern grass can be removed and a shade shed about 1.2 m high can be built. After 30 days, when the leaflets of the seedlings are as big as a fingertip, potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer can be sprayed on. After that, spray once every 15 days. It can also be sprayed together with insecticides and fungicides. After 80 days, when the seedlings have grown 5-6 leaflets, 50 kg of compound fertilizer can be applied per mu. After the Winter Solstice, when the seedlings have grown to 30-35 cm tall, the shed frame can be removed, and water and fertilizer controlled to sun-harden the seedlings, letting the leaf tips sun to a mature waxy yellow, to ensure a high survival rate when transplanting in February to March of the following year.

5. Planting and management: A plant spacing of 80-100 cm is suitable. After planting, water thoroughly. After that, hoe weeds and apply fertilizer once each quarter. For the first three years, focus on applying nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer to promote growth; in the fourth year, add potassium fertilizer. In the fifth year, when the tree has reached 3-4 m tall and about 10 cm in diameter, the first harvest can be made. After harvesting, new shoots will grow from the roots; keep 2-3 robust ones and prune the rest. Every winter, in addition to removing weeds, it is also necessary to prune drooping side branches and diseased or pest-infested branches, so the trunk grows straight and thick, ensuring a bumper harvest the following year. From December to March of the following year, combine the winter and spring harvest of cinnamon bark, cinnamon twigs and cinnamon leaves, clear the cut diseased and pest-infested branches and fallen leaves out of the cinnamon plot, and burn them in a centralized pile to clean the plantation.

6. Pest and disease control: The main diseases of cinnamon are cinnamon shoot blight, brown spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, etc. The main pests are blister-shield plant bugs, cinnamon bivalve leaf-roller moths, cinnamon wood moths, weevils, inchworms (cinnamon silkworms), scale insects, etc. During the cinnamon seedling stage, focus on disease prevention; every foliar fertilizer spray can be mixed with insecticides and fungicides. After transplanting, if brown spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, etc. appear, spray with Penco 600 times or Deqing 3000 times. If pests cause damage, spray with the broad-spectrum organophosphorus compound insecticide "Miechongling" emulsifiable concentrate, or Miesha 2000 times, or malathion 1500 times. If longhorn beetles bore into the trunk or branches and cause damage, soak absorbent cotton in 80% DDVP stock solution, plug it into the bore hole, and seal the opening with mud.

How to Water a Cinnamon Tree

To water a cinnamon tree, keep the soil moist. The number of waterings can vary with the seasons; basically, water once the soil surface has dried out.

During the growing period, water once a week to keep it moist, but do not let water accumulate. When watering, water once first, then water again after about half an hour; this prevents "half watering."

In summer, the weather is relatively dry, so watering should be appropriately increased, and water can also be sprinkled on the leaves and around the plant to raise air humidity.

After autumn begins, temperatures gradually drop, so watering can be appropriately reduced, and the same in winter, but because winter is relatively dry, spraying more water is fine.

How to Propagate a Cinnamon Tree by Cuttings

1. Cuttings

When taking cuttings of a cinnamon tree, choose suitable cuttings. Take strong, semi-lignified branches of the current year's growth, requiring bright leaf color.

The cuttings taken can be cut into strips about 15 cm long, generally keeping 2-3 leaves and cutting off the rest. The lower end of the cutting should be cut at a slant.

2. Cutting insertion

Before inserting cinnamon cuttings, soak them briefly in a rooting powder solution, then insert them. When inserting, be careful not to go too deep or too shallow, and press down gently with your fingers. Generally, insert one plant per nutrient pot. After inserting, water thoroughly, then cover with a plastic bag and place in a cool place for care.

Cinnamon trees generally live in warm southern regions, especially areas with red soil, so places such as Hunan are very suitable for growing cinnamon trees. In addition, there are many propagation methods for cinnamon trees. Cuttings are a method with a relatively high survival rate and a relatively simple procedure, which is very beneficial for producing cinnamon seedlings.