Position
Plant your cinnamon tree in spring or late Autumn in a sunny spot with at least 12 hours of sun. These trees do not enjoy cold weather and perform best with temperatures above 20°C. Planting them in containers will keep them small and more manageable. Ensure your containers are at least 50cm in diameter and have a depth of 50cm.
Size
Cinnamon trees can grow to 10 metres tall with a canopy spread of 10 metres.
Soil type
Cinnamon trees thrive in acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-5.5, so adding sphagnum peat moss is imperative.
Superfrass (R25 per bag) is a natural, high-quality organic growth enhancer and pesticide that can be added when planting.
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid letting it get soggy.
Mulching
Add a thick layer of pine bark mulch, keeping it about 20 to 30 centimetres away from the tree trunk (any closer may cause excess moisture and damage the trunk). This will retain the moisture in the soil and will prevent weeds from taking over.
Fertilising
Apply one teaspoon every 4-5 months of our slow-release all-plant fertiliser. The roots will absorb what they need.
Pruning
Cinnamon trees do not require regular pruning, but it is good to remove dead, damaged branches, which could affect the tree’s growth.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, citrus psylla, red scale, citrus greening. Spraying regularly with Agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control ) will assist in either prevention or after the fact. If you already have aphids or mites, wash the tree with a strong stream of water, and when dry, spray with Neem oil or EM Control.
Practice good garden hygiene (remove fallen fruit and leaves).
Watch for root rot (if overwatered) and fungal infections during wet periods.
Harvesting
Remove some of its branches and cut away the outer bark until you reach the yellow-orange inner bark, which is the new growth. Peel away strips of the inner bark until you reach the core of the branch or trunk. Set these peeled pieces on a window screen or tray in a single layer to dry. Once they dry, they will curl into the cinnamon quills we are all used to.
