How to grow a cedar from seeds: planting, care and application

This mighty tree of the Pine-coniferous family has been known since time immemorial. Cedar is the oldest seed plant on earth. It is easy to recognize by its green, blue or silvery needles. And the fragrant aroma of cedar is familiar to everyone.

Content:

• General description of the cedar, history and legend
• Sowing cedar seeds
• Seedling care
• Landing in the ground
• Useful properties of cedar

General description of the cedar, history and legend

Cedars reach a height of 50 meters, which is why our ancestors called it the World Tree, whose crown rests on the Cosmos, and the roots go deep underground, feeding on the waters of the underworld. Cedars have tough needle-shaped needles and elongated bumps. Among the scales of cones are seeds - pine nuts, triangular in shape and with a specific taste. The crown has a cone shape.

The so-called Siberian cedar is not actually a cedar, it belongs to the pines, although it is a relative of the cedar.

Since ancient times, cedar has been attributed to various magical properties. In the ancient Sumerian kingdom, cedars were given names, since they believed that this tree was a symbol of immortality and power. It is the accumulator of cosmic energy and divine power. Egyptian pharaohs used cedar in the construction of pyramids, and cedar resin was part of the balms used in mummification. Even then, the Egyptians knew about the incredible durability of cedar wood. The sarcophagi found during excavations have survived along with wooden elements and even exude a slight smell of cedar after millennia.

Some scholars are of the opinion that cedar does have a soul. Cedars have their own biorhythms, similar to human ones. Unlike other trees, which are active only at a certain time, cedars are able to adapt to the environment. For example, in cloudy weather, cedars "sleep" longer than in sunny weather.

In winter, the life cycles of the tree do not stop, the cedar just spends a little more time "in a dream".

Among the many legends about the cedar, there is one that ascribes divine origin to it. According to legend, cedars grew only in Eden. God created these mighty trees for the joy of the first people - Adam and Eve. But Adam's first son managed to get three cedar seeds. When his father died, the son put the seeds in his mouth and buried them. This is how the first cedar appeared on earth.

Sowing cedar seeds

Those wishing to learn how to grow a cedar from seeds will not face great difficulties. This is not the most difficult, but somewhat painstaking procedure.

The first thing to do is buy quality cedar seeds in a trusted specialty store. Good seeds are half the battle.

So, the seeds have been purchased, now you need to prepare them for sowing:

• Sowing, by the way, can be both for seedlings and immediately into the ground. The seeds must be thoroughly rinsed. So you will wash away everything unnecessary from their surface and at the same time fill them with moisture.
• Place the seeds in a small bowl or bowl and cover with hot, but not boiling water. The water should be comfortable for the skin. After the seeds are slightly soaked, rub them well with your hands in water.
• You will be able to notice how the water has darkened.This means that you have washed out resins, dust and other substances that can slow down seed germination.
• Change the water several times and let the seeds soak in the water for a while. Thus, we leave the seeds in water for about a day. The most mature seeds will sink to the bottom of the dish, and the unripe ones will float up.
• Place the washed selected seeds in glass jars so that the jar is about half full. Cover the jar and make holes in the lid so that air can flow to the seeds.
• Now your task is to carefully observe the seeds and sort them regularly. Sprouted should be put aside, and those that are rotten or with traces of mold should be thrown away. Rinse the remaining seeds with clean water and put them back in the jar. This entire germination process should take place in a cool place, and preferably in a cellar.
• Land for planting seeds should be good, loose, not infested with parasites. It can be purchased at the store. Sifted sand and sawdust can be added to the soil. This will be beneficial for the seeds. If you buy ready-made soil, make sure that it has a low peat content.
• Take small bowls or plastic cups, fill them with earth, and place the seeds with the spine down. If the root is already large, dig in the hole a little. The seed itself must be visible or completely lie on the surface.

Seedling care

There are several rules for caring for planted seeds and sprouted seedlings. Compliance with these rules will help you in the end to grow a mighty cedar that future generations will be proud of. You have planted seeds in moist soil, so do not rush to water the soil immediately after planting. Excess moisture can cause irreparable harm.

Make sure that the seeds are not completely covered with earth. In this case, the stem will begin to grow under the soil. It can turn black and rot. First of all, the root begins to grow, so do not be alarmed that the seed itself does not open for a long time. In general, it will not open immediately. The stem will grow first.

Do not remove the shell of the nut itself, even if you have already noticed that it has opened and showed the first needles.

At first, the seedling receives nutrients from this shell. Until the growth point is noticeable, it is not recommended to remove it. Better yet, forget about the nut itself. It will crumble when the time comes.

Until the husk has fallen off, spray the seedlings with clean water. This will moisturize the soil while keeping it loose and soften the shell of the seed. Cedars love light. But young seedlings do not need bright sunlight. The light should be diffused at first, and already closer to planting, accustom the trees to direct sunlight.

Watch out for signs of rot. If the leg begins to turn black, then you are waterlogging the soil.

At first, the flexible stems of cedars can bend and even fall. There is no need to be afraid of this. The stems just do not begin to grow stiff right away. If you plant cedars densely, they will cling to each other, preventing them from falling. Temper the seedlings before planting, take them out into the fresh air in the spring. This will allow the tree to get used to both the sun and the air. But don't overdo it. There is no need to leave seedlings on an open balcony if there are frosts at night. Start hardening on cloudy days so that the sun does not immediately scorch the cedar.

These are the basic rules for caring for seedlings before planting. Young seedlings begin to smell almost immediately after the seeds are pecked. This scent will fill your home.

Landing in the ground

The hardened grown seedlings can be safely planted in the ground when the snow has already melted and the severe frosts have passed. Choose a well-lit area with nutritious soil. Then the young trees will take over faster.

You can plant cedars in the shade, but with a lack of lighting, they stretch out, the trees do not grow so lush.

In a very dark place, only a thin stem with a small bundle of needles can be grown.A giant with a lush crown is grown exclusively in the sun. When you have already chosen a place, check the land in the garden. Examine it for roots. There should not be a lot of weeds in the soil. If you notice that the bed is clogged, dig it up and remove the foreign roots.

Tips for growing cedar ::

1. Planting cedars in open ground preferably in cloudy weather or in the late afternoon, so that the sun does not scorch the still weakened seedlings. Make sure that the roots are not damaged, proceed carefully.
2. Take the tree along with the lump of earth that has formed around the rhizome. Shake lightly and very gently to remove excess soil. Plant the cedar in the hole, cover it with earth, and add some more dry earth on top.
3. If you are planting an entire alley, the distance between the holes should be at least 10 cm, and between the rows - at least 20 cm.
4. If the spring is dry, the seedlings will have to be watered often, but not too abundantly. The roots have not yet had time to grow deep into the ground. In damp weather, watering can be reduced.
5. When the moisture is absorbed into the soil, it needs to be loosened up a little so that during the next watering the water is well absorbed and a crust does not form on the top layer of the soil, preventing the penetration of air and moisture. In order not to loosen every time, you can add sawdust to the soil. They will serve as drainage. Air and moisture will flow to the roots in sufficient quantities.
6. Protect the seedlings from weeds. Rapidly growing grass can completely crush the weak root system of young trees. If the weed is too large, don't rush to root it up. This can damage the root of the young cedar. An overgrown weed is best cut at the root.

Useful properties of cedar

Using cedar:

• The bark, resin and nuts of cedar are used in various directions: they are eaten, as well as used in medicine and cosmetology. It is also known that walks in cedar groves are incredibly rewarding. They have very clean air, as cedars emit a huge amount of oxygen.
• Pine nuts... Cedar nuts are priceless for our body. They contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals that cannot be replaced. Pine nuts contain vitamins of group B, E, A, as well as iron, iodine, zinc, magnesium, calcium. It is very healthy to eat pine nuts, but it is worth remembering that they are high in calories. Various tinctures, medicines for the treatment of stomach diseases, atherosclerosis, anemia, and diseases of the duodenum are made from pine nuts. Remember to check the quality of the nuts. If they are rotten or rancid, they can be harmful to your health.
• Cedar oil. Pine nut oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it has healing and bactericidal properties. It is used as a medicine for eczema, psoriasis, diathesis.
• Resin from wounds and burns. Cedar resin contains gum turpentine. No wonder they call it resin. Cedar resin has long been used as a cure for cut wounds and burns. They treated with cedar resin and purulent inflammations on the skin. During the war, the growth of gangrene was stopped with an ointment made from cedar resin.
• Cedar wood. Wood is mainly used to make furniture. It has bactericidal properties. A moth will never start in cedar cabinets. In addition, the cedar decor elements give off a pleasant aroma.
• Preparations based on cedar. Cedar nut oil is often added to various medicines. Such drugs are imposed with an expectorant, bactericidal, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory effect. Cedarwood oils and decoctions are added to mouthwash to relieve inflammation and bleeding of the gums.

Cedar is a valuable tree species, which is credited with not only healing, but also magical properties. It is not difficult to grow a cedar on your own, but all work will receive a worthy reward: this the tree will be a great decoration any site.

More information can be found in the video.