Cedrus deodara is a species of cedar native to the Himalayas. It is an evergreen conifer with a large, conical crown and blue-green needles. The cedarwood is oily and resinous, and was used in ancient times for incense and perfumes. The tree is also known as the deodar cedar, Himalayan cedar, and Indian cedar.
Related plant:
Cedrus Atlantica
About soil condition, cedrus deodara can grow in well-drained soils, but it prefer deep, rich, moist soils. It is tolerant of heavy clay soils. It is also tolerant of poor soils, but growth may be stunted in such conditions.
Not too different with other types of cedar trees, the Cedrus deodara requires full sun in order to grow and thrive. This means that it should be planted in an area of the yard that gets direct sunlight for at least six hours each day. It is also important to note that the tree does not do well in shade or in areas that are too windy.
The temperature condition that is ideal for the growth of cedrus deodara is between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. This temperature range is perfect for the tree to grow and thrive. anything below or above this range can stunt the growth of the tree or even kill it.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 40-50%. The plant can also tolerate lower humidity, but it may result in the leaves turning brown and dropping off. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will turn yellow and drop off.
Regarding fertilizer, usually the plant does not need much. If you live in an area with low natural rainfall, you may need to water more frequently than average. The cedar prefers a deep, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. It is also important to ensure that the roots have plenty of room to grow. If the roots become too crowded, the tree may become stressed and more susceptible to disease.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your cedar deodara healthy and looking its best. Pruning helps to remove diseased or damaged branches, encourage new growth, and keep the plant tidy. When pruning, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning tools to avoid damaging the plant.
Propagation of cedrus deodara is best performed by seed. The optimum time for sowing is in the spring, when the temperature is warm and the days are long. The seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil mix and kept moist. Once they have germinated, the seedlings should be transplanted into individual pots and grown on under glass.
Usually, the plant growth rate is fast when they are young. They can grow up to 2.5 meters in their first 10 years. After that, their growth slows down and they may only grow another 0.5 meters in height.
Common problems for this kind of plant are pests, diseases, and cultural problems. Pests include aphids, scale, and whiteflies. Diseases include Phytophthora root rot and needle cast. Needle cast is a common disease in cedrus deodara, and it is caused by a fungus. Phytophthora root rot is caused by a water mold, and it can kill the tree. Cultural problems include over-watering, and poor drainage.
Source:
Cedrus deodara - UDBG
Deodar Cedar | Oklahoma State University
Cedrus deodara | Trees of Stanford & Environs