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Himalayan cedar is a luxurious conifer that can be grown without any problems in regions with a warm and humid climate. This long-lived tree will decorate a suburban area or city street for hundreds of years, becoming more majestic and beautiful every year.
Description of Himalayan cedar
Himalayan cedar or deodara (Cedrus deodara) is a magnificent representative of the Pine family. Its natural habitat is considered to be the mountainous regions of Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, as well as some European countries – the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria. In nature, the Himalayan cedar can live up to a thousand years without losing its majesty and decorativeness. Some of them, mixed with evergreen oaks, fir, spruce, pine and other types of conifers, are located at a level of 3-3,5 km above sea level.
In the early years, the Himalayan cedar is characterized by a rapid growth rate, with age, the annual growth gradually decreases. An adult deodar tree is over 50 m high and 3 m across. The young cedar forms a wide cone-shaped crown with a rounded top without characteristic tiers; in older specimens, the shape is more rounded.
The branches are located at 90 ° relative to the trunk, the ends bend to the ground. The needles of the Himalayan cedar or deodar grow in a spiral in the form of long single needles or bunches. Deodar needles have an elastic dense structure and well-defined edges. On the surface of the needles there is gloss, the color varies from green and bluish to silver-gray.
Himalayan cedar or deodar refers to monoecious plants. In autumn, pollen ripens in small male cones, which fertilizes more massive female cones.
Deodar cones grow at the top of the crown, are located at the ends of branches in 1-2 pieces, their tips are turned towards the sun. The shape of the female cedar cone resembles an oblong barrel with a diameter of 5-7 cm and a length of about 13 cm. As they mature, which lasts 1,5 years, they change color from blue to reddish-brown or brick. On the 2-3rd year, the scales come off, allowing the ripened seeds to fall out. The shape of the Himalayan cedar or deodar seeds is similar to an elongated whitish egg, up to 17 mm long, up to 7 mm wide. Each seed has a light brown wide shiny wing, thanks to which they can spread over decent distances and germinate hundreds of meters from the mother plant.
Varieties of Himalayan cedar
In landscape design, in addition to the natural form of the Himalayan cedar, its artificially bred varieties are often used. The table below lists the most popular deodar varieties.
Variety name | Otherness |
Argentea | Silver blue needles |
aura | The conical shape of the crown, the dimensions are much smaller than the natural form, the needles are yellow, which gradually turns green closer to autumn |
Bush’s Electra | The branches are arranged vertically upwards, the color of the needles is deep blue. Grows well in shady areas |
Crystal Falls | Hanging weeping branches, soft blue-green needles |
Deep Cove | Slow growing variety, semi-dwarf. The color of young needles is creamy white. Resistant to sunburn |
Divinely Blue | The shape of the crown is narrow-conical, the needles are blue, the young shoots are gray-green. Annual growth – no more than 15 cm, height of an adult plant – 2-2,5 m, diameter – 90 cm. The variety has good frost resistance |
Gold Cone | The crown is formed in the form of a narrow pyramid, the needles are yellow-green. An adult specimen reaches a height of 2 m. This variety of Himalayan cedar is considered fast-growing |
Golden Horizon | Spreading flat crown, gray-green needles, when grown in sunny areas – yellow or light green. At the age of 10, the cedar reaches a height of 4,5 m |
Karl Fuchs | The crown is wide-conical, the needles are blue-blue. An adult tree reaches a height of 10 m. The variety is considered the most winter-hardy, cedar can withstand temperatures down to -30 ° C |
Pendulum | Weeping variety of cedar with green needles and branches falling to the ground. Reaches a height of 8 m. Prefers areas with partial shading |
Pygmy | Dwarf cedar with a rounded crown shape. The color of the needles is green-blue. At 15-17 years old, the tree does not exceed a height of 30 cm with a diameter of 40 cm |
Prostrate Beauty | Differs in horizontal growth, delicate blue-green needles |
Rependence | According to its characteristics, the variety is similar to Pendula, the only difference is in the color of the needles – they are grayish-green |
silver mist | Dwarf Himalayan cedar with decorative silver-white needles. At 15 years old, the tree has a height of about 60 cm with a crown diameter of 1 m. |
Snow Sprite | Conical, dense crown, the color of young shoots is white |
More often than the varieties of deodar described above, on personal plots you can find the Himalayan cedar Feeling Blue. This is a dwarf form with greenish-blue needles, in adult form not exceeding 50-100 cm in height with a crown diameter of up to 1,5-2 m. 25°C) and drought tolerance. Deodar of this variety grows better in open sunny areas or in partial shade; it is not demanding on the composition of the soil.
Deodar in landscape design
Himalayan cedar or deodar is often used for urban landscaping in the southern regions of Our Country, in particular, in the Crimea. As each tree grows, it takes on an individual shape, this is the main attraction of this variety. Deodar is planted in arrays, groups and singly. From young Himalayan cedars you can create a hedge, some varieties are great for creating compositions in the style of bonsai and topiary.
Growing Himalayan Cedar
The majestic and monumental deodar has been grown in botanical gardens since the end of the 19th century. Nowadays, the Himalayan cedar is a park plant familiar to southern cities. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, the opportunity to grow deodar appeared in cooler climates. In order for the Himalayan cedar to grow and develop well, the tree needs to create conditions similar to natural ones:
- moderately warm climate;
- regular and abundant watering;
- humid and warm air.
Seedling and planting preparation
Himalayan cedar seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of 3 years. If the plants were grown in a greenhouse, before planting they must be hardened by taking them out into the air.
A well-lit or slightly shaded place will be suitable for planting a deodar. Himalayan cedar is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but grows better on drained light loams with deep groundwater.
A hole for Himalayan cedar is dug at least 3 weeks before planting. The soil is dug up within a radius of 3 m from the landing site, the dimensions of the recess itself should be 1,5-2 times larger than the earthen coma of the seedling. The earth is mixed with rotted manure, peat, wood ash and sand and left in the hole to settle.
Himalayan cedar planting rules
Himalayan cedar is planted in early spring, when the buds on the branches are still dormant. If you plant deodar in autumn, you need to focus on deciduous trees – they must completely shed their leaves.
The deodar seedling is carefully removed from the container, tilted slightly, placed in the hole and the twisted roots are straightened. The young cedar is sprinkled with nutrient soil, compacted, watered abundantly and mulched. It is important to observe the correct orientation of the deodar relative to the cardinal points. The most developed and fluffy part of the crown should be turned to the south.
Sometimes in nurseries you can find 8-9-year-old Himalayan cedars up to 7 m high. It is better to transplant such specimens with a closed root system in winter.
Watering and top dressing
In the summer months, it is necessary to water the Himalayan cedar so that the soil is never too dry, but there should also be no stagnant moisture. Fertilizers for deodar are applied 3 times per season, starting from the end of April. Until mid-August, the Himalayan cedar is fed with complex mineral fertilizers with a large proportion of nitrogen; from July, potassium and phosphorus are added to the top dressing.
Mulching and loosening
The trunk circle of the deodar must be loosened and weeded from time to time. It is not recommended to plant annual and perennial grasses near, as they take the nutrients necessary for the Himalayan cedar from the soil. Forest litter taken from under birch, alder or hazel, as well as sawdust, peat or compost, is suitable as mulch. Every year in the spring, the old mulch is removed and disposed of, replacing it with a new one.
Trimming
In the conditions of a summer cottage, deodar pruning is carried out only for sanitary purposes, removing dried and damaged branches. The procedure is carried out in the spring before the blooming of new shoots. Cardinal curly pruning is carried out in September, when the summer heat gave way to autumn coolness. After the formation of the crown, the Himalayan cedar will have enough time to heal wounds and recover.
Preparation for winter
From the beginning of August, fertilizing based on nitrogenous fertilizers is stopped so as not to provoke the growth of new shoots that do not have time to get stronger before the cold weather and freeze. In regions where winters are harsh and snowless, it is important to water the Himalayan cedar abundantly in the fall so that the tree has an adequate supply of water when it warms up. The spring sun encourages the needles to evaporate more moisture, and with its lack of needles, the needles will inevitably begin to dry.
The main problem in growing deodar in temperate latitudes is to preserve and protect the cedar from the winter cold. This is especially true for young seedlings. When the temperature outside the window stays below 0 ° C for a week, the Himalayan cedar needs to be covered urgently. The trunk circle is mulched with sawdust and covered with spruce branches. The branches are tied with twine or wrapped with a net to prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow. Young Himalayan cedars, which have not yet fully formed the root system, are fixed with stretch marks. As a covering material, it is better to use ordinary burlap, since lutrasil or a similar non-woven material can cause dampening during a thaw. Often, something like a house is built around the Himalayan cedar so that the cold winds do not damage it.
Reproduction
Deodar in nature reproduces by self-seeding, but you can get a new plant with the help of grafting. Most often, the Himalayan cedar is propagated by seeds. They do not require stratification; to accelerate germination, it is enough to soak them in warm water for 2-3 days. Some gardeners place the soaked seeds in wet sand and put them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for a month.
Seeds are sown in containers with a peat-sand mixture, covered with a film and placed in a room at room temperature. In greenhouse conditions, seedlings are grown for 2-3 years, providing the following necessary parameters:
- good illumination and illumination;
- increased level of humidity;
- timely watering;
- daily ventilation;
- difference of day and night temperatures in the range of 10-25°С;
- crown shaping.
Diseases and pests
Himalayan cedar can suffer from diseases such as:
- rust;
- white root rot;
- brown central rot;
- brown prismatic rot;
- resin crab;
- chlorosis.
To combat fungal infections, deodar plantings can be treated with a solution of Bordeaux liquid or a systemic fungicide. The affected areas of the crown are cut out and disposed of. To eliminate chlorosis that occurs due to the presence of lime in the soil, the water is acidified during irrigation, and the near-stem circle is mulched with coniferous litter or high-moor peat.
Weakened deodars can be attacked by pests such as:
- pine hermes;
- pine aphid;
- ordinary engraver;
- ordinary shield;
- pine moth.
To combat unwanted insects on the deodar, systemic insecticides are used, diluted strictly according to the instructions.
Conclusion
Growing Himalayan cedar in your backyard is not a big deal. This mighty and majestic conifer is often called the “tree of optimists and life-lovers.” After all, the one who planted it will have to be content with only a description and photo of the Himalayan cedar, and only the children and grandchildren of the gardener will be able to fully enjoy its natural beauty, because compared to the longevity of the deodar, human life is too short.
