You don’t have to keep a potted cinnamon indoors year-round. You can keep it outside and bring it in only when the temperatures drop below 68 °F (20 °C).
If you are keeping the tree indoors and live in the southern hemisphere, a north-facing window would be better.
For an outdoor tree, you need enough soil to fill a 4 ft (1. 2 m) square area. For an indoor tree, you need enough to fill a 24 by 20 in (61 by 51 cm) pot.
If the pH is too high, cover the soil with 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 5. 1 cm) of sphagnum peat, then work the peat into the first 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of soil. [5] X Research source It is unlikely that the pH will be lower than 4. 5, but if it is, mix some limestone into the soil. [6] X Research source
Harvest the seeds from strong, healthy cinnamon trees with smooth, easily-peeling bark and a high oil content. Plan to use the seeds within 7 to 10 days. You may be able to purchase fresh cinnamon seeds online, but you need to plant them as soon as possible.
Cover the holes in your pot with window screening before you add the soil. This will prevent the soil from falling out.
You can plant multiple seeds in 1 pot because you’ll be thinning them out later. Keep the holes about 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 5. 1 cm) apart. You can only plant 1 tree per 1 4 ft (1. 2 m).
If you are starting with seeds, place 1 seed into each hole, then brush soil over the hole.
Don’t use tap water since it is often treated with chemicals.
If you started with a young tree, then you don’t need to worry about thinning it out.
Once the tree have matured, after about 3 years, you only need to water it during droughts. This is because the roots have grown deep enough to reach the damp soil. Test the soil’s moisture by sticking your finger into it. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
You can also use an organic fertilizer made from rotted manure and plants. [9] X Research source Read the instructions that came with your fertilizer to find out exactly when, how much, and how often you should use it. Each brand will be different. Once the tree matures after 2 to 3 years, you should use twice as much fertilizer.
Vegetation includes things like grass and weeds. Remove the weeds 3 to 4 times per year for the first 2 years. After that, you only need to remove the weeds 1 or 2 times per year.
Watch out for: blight (gray leaf spot), brown root, pink disease, and stripe canker. Don’t toss the diseased bark and stems into the compost bin or you’ll contaminate it. You need to destroy them. Disinfect your tools afterwards with rubbing alcohol or a solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water.
Common cinnamon pests include: borers, caterpillars, jumping plant louse, leaf miners, and mites. Be sure to peel back the bark and treat the area underneath it. This is where all the eggs tend to be. When in doubt, treat the entire stem.
It would be even better to do so during the rainy season as the bark will be easier to peel away.
If the harvested stem was older, you may have to cut a little into the wood.
The bark will start to curl up naturally on its own after you peel it. This is your cinnamon stick!
If this is an indoor tree, you can cut the stems shorter if they are growing too long. Left to itself, a cinnamon tree can grow up to 8 feet (2. 4 m). Don’t harvest the same stems each time.
