The love tree is an arboreal species of southwestern, southeastern and western Asia. Its cultivation has spread to other parts of the world, such as Africa and North America. Its name comes from the Greek kerkis, because its scabbard resembles a weaver’s shuttle. Many people have doubts about the love tree care.
For this reason, we will devote this article to telling you about the main care of the love tree, its features and properties.
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main Features
Because of its beauty, it is often used as an ornamental tree in landscaping and horticulture projects. Moreover, it is also known for its beautiful heart-shaped pink flowers.
In some countries it is also called the Judas tree because it is believed that Judas Iscariot hung himself from one of the trees after betraying Jesus. However, it is believed to actually be a breakdown of the term “Jewish tree”.
Cercis siliquastrum is a deciduous tree whose trunk has smooth bark that can become rough and cracked over time. Its height varies between 5 and 10 metersbut can exceed 12 meters under the right conditions.
Its crown is irregular like branches. The leaves of the love tree are simple and alternate, 7 cm to 12 cm long. Its flowers appear in March and April, before the leaves develop. They are pink, heart-shaped and they are grouped in small bouquets of 3 to 6 flowers. Similarly, the love tree produces a reddish-brown ornamental legume up to 15 cm long. Beans should be harvested when ripe to avoid insect damage.
When is the tree of love planted?
Love trees should be planted in the spring when we are in warmer regions, as young plants are susceptible to frost. In cooler regions, it should be planted in the fall.
Experts recommend growing seedlings in the greenhouse for the first winter. However, the younger the permanently planted tree, the more successfully it will grow.
Love trees do best in warm climates, where they receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Alternatively, in partial shade, in full sun for 2 to 6 hours. Again, it is recommended to plant it in a location that is not affected by strong winds, as the stems of the tree can break.
love tree care
Cercis siliquastrum is undemanding and grows in almost all soil types, especially calcareous or siliceous soils with a neutral pH and good drainage, as it does not tolerate excessive humidity or puddles of water. However, if you want to have more success growing these types of trees, a substrate made up of clay, silt and sand is recommended.
When young, love trees require constant but moderate watering. Watering should be reduced as it grows, because excess water or flooding can harm their development as they are very sensitive to humidity. On the other hand, if a Judas tree can tolerate drought, it is important to water the tree more frequently during the hot season so that it does not lose its vigor.
Moderate watering 1-2 times per week is recommended, depending on weather conditions and soil moisture.
How to sow step by step
The process of germination of the seeds of the tree of love is not simple, because the seeds are in a state of internal dormancy or physical dormancy, that is, they must destroy the plant tissue belonging to endosperm and impermeable seminal cover to achieve germination. .fast and uniform.
One of the most common and effective methods involves the following steps:
- Boil water in a container in a ratio of 1:10, 1 part seeds to 10 parts water, then turn off the heat.
- Immediately pour the seeds into a container and let them soak for 12 to 24 hours.
- drain the seeds and place them in a ventilated environment away from direct sunlight and plant them immediately.
The seeds of the tree of love can be germinated by other procedures, however, some require more specialized substances or procedures. These include:
- mechanical scratches.
- Mechanical scratches combined with cold delamination.
- Scrape with concentrated sulfuric acid.
Advanced Love Tree Care
Love trees are known to be low maintenance. However, pre-bloom fertilization and a good watering history are important steps in helping trees reach peak light.
It is recommended to plant them permanently when they are young, preferably in May, and water them continuously until they acclimate to their new location. Repotting should be avoided because love trees are poorly adapted, especially mature trees, and the quality of their growth.
Darling trees are susceptible to coral spot fungus and grow in areas with cool, humid summers. Other diseases that affect this species are bark canker (Nectria cinnabarina) and Verticillium dahliae blight. Among the pests, there may be the effects of aphids and scale insects.
When well cared for It has a life expectancy of around 100 years. It takes an average of 20 years to reach its maximum height, which is why it is considered a mature tree. When using seedlings purchased in the nursery, it begins to bear fruit at 3 years. If made from seed, it could take up to 5 years to achieve.
Can be grown in a pot when young, but mature species are not recommended. The main reason is that it does not allow it to develop to its maximum capacity and provides flowering based on it. Again, keep in mind that this is a species that prefers rocky soils and will not be found in pots. It bears fruit once a year, just after the onset of autumn, when the flowers that adorn spring and summer begin to fall. It is advisable to carry out the pollination of the tree of love which is carried out by pollinating insects attracted by its bright flowers.
I hope with this information you can learn more about love tree care and its characteristics.