How to Produce Cinnamon

Common Name: Cinnamon

Scientific Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Family: Lauraceae

Origin: Srilanka

Major Producing Country: India, Srilanka and Indonesia

Distribution: India, malagasi, Sumatra, Java Island of Indonesia, Madagascor region etc.

Morphology:

Habit: Evergreen perennial, profusely branches, height 8-10 m.

Leaf: Simple, alternate, petiolate, margin entire, vein reticulate, conversely parallel, pink in early stage but dark green when mature.

Inflorescence: Raceme

Flower: Small, bisexual, creamy in color, containing special aroma which is called foetid.

Fruit: One seeded berry, young fruits green in color, turn it into black when mature.

Climatic Requirement: Cinnamon grows well in hot and humid condition. Temperature ranging from 20-35 degree C but it can tolerate 50 degree C. Annual rainfall 250-400 cm is best for cinnamon cultivation. It grows well if the rain is equally distributed all round the year. Growth and development stunt below 10 degree C.

Soil Requirement: It can be grown any type of soil such as sandy loam, loam and clay loam but the soil must be well drained (except sandy soil). Too acidic or alkaline soil hampers growth. It is cultivated the slope of the hill.

Cultivation Process:

Propagation: 

Cinnamon is usually propagated by seed. Ripen fruits are collected in June-July and seeds are sown as early as possible in nursery beds. For germination of seed, the time required 30-45 days and when the seedling height becomes 8-10 then planted in the main field. The seedlings become 8-10" height on one year. It is suitable for plantation when 5-6 leaves are grown.

Pit preparation and Spacing: 

In hilly areas, contour cultivation system is followed. Generally 2-3 m distant and 1 ft depth is prepared.

Planting Distance: 2-3 m * 2-3 m

Manuring:  For every pit-

          1. Leaf rotten manure; 8-10 kg

          2. Bone meal: 250 g

          3. Urea: 10g

          4. MoP: 10 g

After 14-21 days, 3-4 seedlings will be planted in every pit. Then seedling should be allowed to growth and development for 18-24 month. The plants are cut to avoid 1-2 cm of the basal portion when they are 8-10 ft height. Then the basal portion of tree covered with soil which is called mounding. Then 15-16 branches are come out from the basal portion. 3-4 branches are kept and the rest of side branches are cut The process is followed 1.5-2.0 years. In this way, Cinnamon can be harvested from one plantation by 30 years.