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Lebanese cedar is a coniferous species that grows in southern climates. To grow it, it is important to choose the right planting site and take care of the tree. Lebanese cedar is used to decorate alleys, parks, recreation areas.
Description of Lebanese cedar
Lebanese cedar stands out among other evergreen species. The tree has a majestic appearance: a large trunk, a large number of shoots, a dense crown. In economic activities, not only wood is used, but also other parts of the plant.
Where does the Lebanese cedar grow
In nature, Lebanese cedar grows on mountain slopes. Occurs in Lebanon at an altitude of 1000 - 2000 m above sea level. On the territory of Russia is the Cedar Divine Grove - an ancient virgin forest. The object is under the protection of UNESCO.
The breed is grown in southern Europe, Italy and France. Artificial plantings are found in the Crimea and on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, in Central Asia.
What does Lebanese cedar look like?
Lebanese cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree. In a favorable climate, it reaches 2.5 m in girth and 40-50 m in height. Its branches are bare or slightly pubescent. The bark is scaly, dark gray. The wood is soft, but strong, with a reddish hue.
In young plants, the crown is conical; over time, it grows and becomes wider. The needles are up to 4 cm long, rigid, tetrahedral. The color of the needles is dark green, sometimes with a grayish-blue tint, the needles are collected in bundles of 30 pcs.
At the age of 25, the ephedra begins to bear fruit. Cylindrical cones appear on it. They reach 12 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The seeds are 15 cm long, resinous, not edible. The frequency of fruiting is every 2 years. The seeds are carried by the wind.
Lebanese cedar grows slowly. The plant is thermophilic and prefers light areas, it is not demanding on the composition of the soil. Easily tolerates short-term drops in temperature. The breed is resistant to drought, but dies with excess moisture.
Meaning and application
The cedar is the national symbol of Lebanon. His image is present on the coat of arms, flag, funds. The wood of the plant has been used since ancient times. It is used in shipbuilding, furniture and building materials.
An oil is obtained from the crushed bark, which has the appearance of a colorless or yellowish liquid. The aroma of the oil is sweet with woody and musky notes. Cedar nut oil is a good antiseptic that has disinfectant and antibacterial properties.
Planting and caring for a Lebanese cedar
To grow cedar, you need to choose a seedling and a suitable place. In the future, the tree is provided with good care: watering, feeding, pruning the crown.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
For planting, choose healthy plants, without cracks, rotten areas and other damage. It is best to obtain the material from your local nursery. Seedlings with a closed root system take root well. The work is carried out in the fall, when the ground is not yet frozen. The best period is October or November.
A sunny site is chosen for the ephedra.At the same time, it is taken into account that over time the tree will grow and it will need a lot of free space. The soil is dug up in advance and fertilized with humus. This breed is not demanding on the composition of the soil. The main condition for its cultivation is the absence of moisture stagnation.
Landing rules
A landing pit is being prepared for the ephedra. It is dug up a month before the work is carried out. During this time, soil shrinkage will occur, which can damage the plant. After planting, cedar takes 3-4 weeks to adapt to new conditions.
Planting order of the Lebanese cedar:
- Dig a hole. Its dimensions should exceed the dimensions of the root system by 30%.
- Drainage is poured at the bottom in the form of expanded clay or pebbles.
- Peat and sand are added to the fertile land. The ratio of the components should be 2: 1: 2.
- Then fertilizers are applied: compost, wood ash, 3 handfuls of soil from under coniferous trees.
- A stake is taken into the center of the pit.
- Most of the substrate is poured into the pit and a bucket of water is poured out.
- After shrinkage, a small hill is made from the fertile land.
- A plant is placed on top. Its roots are covered with earth, which is compacted and watered.
- The ephedra is tied to a support.
Watering and feeding
Lebanese cedar varieties are drought tolerant and can do without frequent watering. Water for conifers is brought in in the morning or in the evening. Watering is important for young plants that do not yet have a developed root system. After rain or moisture, the soil is loosened so that the roots can better absorb nutrients.
To feed the conifers, potash or phosphorus fertilizer is used. Ready-made mineral complexes are chosen: Kemira, Agricola, Forte, etc. They are dissolved in water or embedded in the soil before watering. Lebanese cedar is fed 3 times during the season: in May, mid-summer and September.
Pruning
Lebanese cedar has a natural crown. Additional formation is not required. The exception is when a tree has 2 trunks. Then the less developed branch is removed.
Sanitary pruning is performed in spring or autumn. A period is chosen when the sap flow of trees is slowed down. Remove dry, broken and frozen shoots. Garden var is applied to the cuts.
Preparing for winter
Proper preparation will help the cedar to survive the winter. The breed retains its vitality at a temperature of -23 -30 ° C. In late autumn, it is watered abundantly. Wet soil better protects the roots from freezing. Humus or peat with a thickness of 10 - 15 cm is poured into the tree trunk circle.
Shelter is provided for young plantings. A frame is erected above them and a non-woven fabric is attached. It is not recommended to use polyethylene, which is impervious to moisture and air. With an increase in temperature and humidity, the wood quickly wears out.
Features of caring for Lebanese cedar at home
At home, the breed is grown using the bonsai technique. This allows you to limit the growth force of the tree and maintain the shape of the crown.
When grown at home, cedar is provided with a number of conditions:
- good lighting, while light shading is allowed;
- no temperature drops;
- protection against drafts;
- abundant watering in spring and summer;
- spraying in warm weather;
- organic fertilizing in spring and autumn.
The young plant is planted in ceramic dishes. A deep and wide pot is suitable for an adult cedar. For planting, a substrate is prepared, consisting of soil, compost and coarse sand. Every 5 years the tree is replanted and its root system is shortened by half.
To obtain a miniature cedar, special attention is paid to the formation of the crown. In the spring, pinch the upper part of the young shoots.The procedure is carried out manually without the use of scissors.
Reproduction of the Lebanese cedar
The main breeding methods for conifers is by using seeds or cuttings. Each method has its own characteristics.
Reproduction of Lebanese cedar by cuttings
When propagated by cuttings, the varietal qualities of the Lebanese cedar are preserved. In an adult tree, shoots 10 cm long are cut off. Work is carried out in the spring, when the buds begin to swell. The cuttings are dipped in water with the addition of a corner growth stimulant. The branches are then rooted in the greenhouse.
For the rooting of cuttings, it is important to provide a number of conditions:
- high humidity;
- frequent loosening of the soil;
- a special substrate containing river sand, humus, mycorrhiza.
The process of propagation by cuttings takes several years. Lebanese cedar seedlings grow slowly. They are transferred to a permanent place after 5 to 8 years.
Seed propagation
At home, Lebanese cedar is grown from seeds:
- First, the planting material is poured with warm water for a day, to which 2 - 3 drops of a growth stimulator are added.
- Then the water is drained, and the seeds are mixed in a container with peat or sand. The container is kept in a refrigerator or basement at a temperature of +4 ° C.
- Every 2 weeks, the mass is mixed and moistened.
- When seedlings appear, the containers are transferred to a sunny place.
- Seedlings are planted in separate containers.
- Lebanese cedar is watered moderately and well lit.
- When the seedlings grow up, they are planted in the chosen place.
Diseases and pests
Lebanese cedars are susceptible to fungal diseases: pine needles rust, trunk rot. For the treatment of trees, drugs Abiga-Peak, Zom, Ordan are used. Plantings are sprayed with a working solution in cloudy weather or in the evening. Sick shoots are pruned to avoid the spread of diseases.
The Lebanese cedar suffers from attacks by bark beetles and pine silkworms. Pests are identified by the presence of dense cocoons from the web. In affected trees, shoots are deformed, needles fall off. To combat insects, insecticides Lepidocid, Actellik, Arrivo are effective. Cedars are sprayed with a working solution of preparations. The treatment is repeated after 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Lebanese cedar is a valuable species that is used in landscape design. The tree is durable, frost-resistant and highly prized for its decorative appearance. Cuttings or seeds are used for propagation. When growing Lebanese cedar, the planting site is taken into account, fertilizers and moisture are regularly applied.
