How to grow and care for a potted Cinnamomum kotoense (Ping'an tree)
The Ping'an tree is native to Orchid Island, and is an elegant name for Cinnamomum kotoense. It symbolizes peace and good fortune, and gives off a fragrance that purifies the air and removes odors. Its bark has the effects of dispelling wind and cold, relieving pain and resolving blood stasis, and promoting blood circulation and strengthening the stomach. In recent years, as a potted plant, it has become increasingly popular among urban households. Let's take a look below at how to grow a potted Ping'an tree!
The growing environment for the Ping'an tree
The Ping'an tree likes a warm, humid, sunny environment. It likes light but also tolerates shade, and prefers warm, hot places with no frost or snow, plenty of fog and high temperatures. It does not tolerate drought, waterlogging, severe cold or dry air. For artificial cultivation, use loose, fertile, well-drained, acidic sandy loam rich in organic matter. The optimum growing temperature is 20°C-30°C.
The role of the potted Ping'an tree
1. Medicinal value: The bark of the Ping'an tree can be used as medicine, and has the effects of dispelling wind and cold, relieving pain and resolving blood stasis, and promoting blood circulation and strengthening the stomach.
2. Air purification: The Ping'an tree has the effect of purifying indoor air and absorbing decoration pollution. It is rich in cassia oil (whose main component is cinnamaldehyde), and gives off a fragrance that corrects odors and purifies the air.
3. Feng shui effect: The Ping'an tree can be placed in relatively spacious places such as the living room or balcony. Because the Ping'an tree is an evergreen plant, it can change the indoor airflow, increase the indoor vitality, and let people feel a warm breath of life. At the same time, the Ping'an tree can eliminate indoor odors, bringing health and peace to people.
How to grow a potted Ping'an tree
1. Temperature: The Ping'an tree loves a hot and humid environment, and the best temperature is 22°C to 30°C. When the temperature exceeds 32°C, build a shade frame for the Ping'an tree and spray water on the leaves to increase humidity and lower the temperature, so that it can maintain vigorous growth. In winter, the lowest temperature must not be lower than 5°C.
2. Watering: The Ping'an tree likes moist soil. Water an appropriate amount every morning and evening. In winter, spray more water and water less. There must be no water accumulation in the pot.
3. Light: The Ping'an tree needs relatively good light, but it is also fairly shade-tolerant. It is suitable for maintenance in a semi-shaded environment. Its light requirement changes with age. If the light is too strong, it easily causes the leaves to turn yellow and lose their spirit, reducing its due ornamental value.
4. Fertilizing: Fertilize the Ping'an tree once a month. After the beginning of autumn, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer 2 times in succession. In winter, all forms of topdressing should be stopped to prevent fertilizer damage to the roots.
5. Soil: Small plants should be repotted once a year, and large plants should have their soil changed once every 2 years. During the growing season, loosen the soil once a month. The best time for repotting and changing soil is in spring.
6. Pests and diseases: Aphids are prone to appear on the young leaves and new buds of the Ping'an tree. After scattering plant ash on the plant, rinse it clean with clear water, and spray chinaberry leaf juice, which can effectively kill the insects. Spray with a 2000-fold dilution of 10% imidacloprid wettable powder to kill them.