In baking, cinnamon is a common ingredient.It comes in two forms, powder and stick, both of which are made from the bark of the tree.It's easy to grow your own cinnamon, and the bark will be ready for harvest in a couple of years.Buying a young tree from a nursery will save you some time and effort.
Step 1: If you want to plant the tree indoors or outdoors, you have to decide.
If the trees get around full sun, they will do well in either location.It's best to plant the cinnamon indoors if the temperature in your area falls below 20 C.You don't have to keep a potted cinnamon indoors all the time.You can't bring it in when the temperature is less than 20 C.
Step 2: There is a location that gets 12 hours of sunlight a day.
A place that gets around 12 hours of full sunlight each day would be ideal for cinnamon.If this is an indoor tree, a south-facing window would be ideal.If you live in the southern hemisphere and keep the tree indoors, a north-facing window would be better.
Step 3: Purchase some well-draining soil from a nursery
If you use soil from the garden, be aware that it may contain harmfulbacteria that may affect your tree.If the soil isn't labeled as "well-draining", make sure it has sand, perlite, and soil.The combination will allow the soil to drain.You need enough soil to fill a 4 ft square area for an outdoor tree.You need enough to fill a 24 by 20 in pot for an indoor tree.
Step 4: Make sure the soil's pH is between 4.5 and 5.5
The pH range is important because cinnamon loves acidic soil.Purchase a pH testing kit from a nursery and use it to test the soil's pH if it is too high.If the pH is lower than 4.5, mix some limestone into the soil.
Step 5: Purchase a cinnamon tree from a nursery and harvest the seeds yourself.
It's up to you whether to harvest the seeds or buy a young tree.Wait until the berries turn black first, then split them open if you choose to harvest the seeds.Set them out to dry in the shade for 2 to 3 days, then separate and rinse the seeds.They should be allowed to dry in the shade.The cinnamon trees have a smooth, easily-peeling bark and a high oil content.The seeds can be used within 7 to 10 days.You can purchase fresh cinnamon seeds online, but you need to plant them as soon as possible.
Step 6: Put your soil in a 4 ft square area.
The plot should be at least 4 by 4 feet (120 by 120 cm) and 12 by 30 cm.The plot should be filled with acidic soil.Instead of using a glazed pot for an indoor tree, use a ceramic pot with drainage holes.Before you add the soil, cover the holes in your pot with window screening.The soil will not fall out.
Step 7: Put a hole in your tree.
To create a hole that is deep and wide, use a gardening trowel.If you are planting a seed, use your finger or stick to make a deep hole instead.You can plant multiple seeds in a single pot.Keep the holes 2.5 to 5.1 cm apart.Only one tree can be planted per 4 ft.
Step 8: Set the tree in the hole.
Remove the tree from the flimsy pot and gently loosen the root ball.Put the tree in the hole and fill the gaps with more soil.Use your hands to pat the soil down.If you are starting with seeds, place 1 seed into each hole and brush the soil over it.
Step 9: Water the soil.
The soil should be made damp by using enough water.If you planted your tree in a pot, keep watering it until the water comes out of the drainage hole at the bottom.You don't need to water the tree again until the top 2 inches are dry.Since tap water is often treated with chemicals, don't use it.
Step 10: The plants should be Thin the plants.
The first set of true leaves will be larger and darker than the other leaves.Pick the healthiest-looking one, and then take the rest.You can either transplant them into pots or discard them.If you started with a young tree, you don't need to worry about removing it.
Step 11: Wait until the tree's top 2 inches are dry before watering it.
Depending on how hot and sunny it is, you may end up watering as little as once per week.After about 3 years, you don't need to water the tree.The roots have grown deep enough to reach the soil.If you stick your finger into the soil, you'll get a measurement.It's time to water the soil if it feels dry.
Step 12: Between late winter and early fall, apply a time-release fertilizer.
Choose a time-releasefertilizer and apply it around the base of the tree.You can mix it with a gardening fork.In late winter and the fall, do this once or twice a week.An organicfertilizer can be made from rotted manure and plants.When, how much, and how often you should use yourfertilizer can be found in the instructions that came with it.The brand will be different.You should use twice as much fertilization when the tree is 2 to 3 years old.
Step 13: A clear 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) circle around the tree is needed.
mulch, grass, weeds, and other ground coverings are included.Pests can harm your tree if all of these things are present.Keep a 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) circle around the base of the trunk free of mulch and vegetation.Grass and weeds are included in vegetation.For the first 2 years, remove the weeds 3 to 4 times a year.You only need to remove the weeds once per year after that.
Step 14: If you want to treat the areas, remove them.
The safest method to remove the disease is to do so.If you have gray leaf spot, you may be able to use fungicides.You will have to remove the diseased portion in more extreme cases.There's a gray leaf spot, brown root, pink disease, and stripe canker.If you put the bark and stems in the compost bin, you'll ruin it.You need to destroy them.Disinfect your tools with rubbing alcohol or a solution of bleach and water.
Step 15: Eliminat pests with pesticides.
Insecticides don't kill the eggs.If you don't kill the eggs, they will hatch and you will have to deal with them again.Common cinnamon pests include borers, caterpillar, jumping plant louse, and leaf miners.Remove the bark and treat the area underneath it.All the eggs tend to be here.The entire stem should be treated when in doubt.
Step 16: Wait until the tree is at least 2 years old.
Since the harvesting process takes care of that, you don't need to trim the tree.When the bark turns brown and the leaves grow firm, you will know when the tree is ready for harvesting.
Step 17: Between late spring and late summer, cut 4 to 6 stems.
Use a fine-toothed saw to cut the stems down until they are 1.5 to 2.5 inches long.Make sure the cuts are slanting towards the middle of the tree.The bark will be easier to peel away during the rainy season.
Step 18: Score the bark by cutting the shoots into lengths.
Something between 3 and 4 inches is ideal.On each mini shoot, use a sharp knife to slice the bark apart.You might have to cut a little into the wood if the stem was older.
Step 19: Pick up the bark from the mini shoots and dry it.
You can pry the bark away from the wood with your fingers or a knife.Set the bark out in a shady area for about 4 to 5 days so that it can dry out.After you peel the bark, it will start curling up on its own.The cinnamon stick is yours!
Step 20: Wait 2 years before harvesting the cinnamon again.
cinnamon can last a long time.Your original cinnamon should last you until the next harvest.Every 2 years, you can harvest 4 to 6 stems.If it's an indoor tree, you can cut the stems shorter.A cinnamon tree can grow up to 8 feet.Don't harvest the same stems multiple times.