Cypress

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Cypresses are evergreen plants with small scaly eggs that cling to the branches. They have ovoid or round cones, which are between 1-3 cm long. They differ from other genera in their family in that their young branches are densely branched and directed in different directions, and the branches themselves are round or quadrangular.

Cypress have erect apical twigs, unlike false cypresses, which have drooping apical twigs. Cypresses reach a height of 20-30 meters and live up to 250 years.

The cypress is revered in the culture of the Phoenicians, Persians, Asia Minors and Greeks. In addition to areas with subtropical climates, cypress has adapted to the warmer regions of the temperate continental climate zone.

Types of cypress

Ordinary cypress / Cupressus sempervirens L. / - originates from the Mediterranean - the Greek islands in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. It is a slow-growing, heat-loving and light-loving species that is not demanding to the type of soil and humidity. It grows very well on stony and dry soils. The common cypress has a well-developed central root and a number of lateral branches.

At a temperature of about -20 degrees there is a danger of freezing of the whole plant. That is why in Bulgaria the common cypress is grown only in the warmest regions of the country. In colder areas it can be grown if a special regime of garden maintenance is maintained.

The classic form of the ordinary cypress is a narrow conical columnaris. It has a dark green color and vertical branches pressed to the stem. Another form of common cypress is horizontalis, which with horizontal or slightly raised branches with a wide pyramidal crown.

The ordinary cypress is highly valuable in landscaping gardens. Used singly or in combination with pines, cedars and other trees. It is often planted successively along alleys and hedges.

Arizona cypress / Cupressus arizonica Greene / - although it belongs to the genus Cupressus, this type of cypress originates from the opposite part of the world. Arizona cypress is widespread in the mountains of Northern California, Arizona and northern Mexico.

There it grows under natural conditions up to 2400 meters above sea level. Arizona cypress is very cold-resistant, which is why it is suitable for planting in all regions of our country. Reaches a height of 20 meters. It has a conical, sometimes slightly rounded at the top beautiful crown. The bark of the tree is thin and reddish-brown, cracked into broad scales.

The branches are short and silvery-gray, oriented in different directions. The leaves of the Arizona cypress are small and pointed at the top, have a gray-green color. The cones have a spherical shape with a length of up to 2 cm. They are reddish-brown and ripen in the second year, when they become suitable for reproduction.

The Arizona cypress is a very light-loving species that withstands summer droughts and low temperatures in winter. It has excellent decorative qualities that make it suitable for landscaping various sites.

Growing cypress

In general, cypress is not a demanding plant, one of the biggest difficulties is that it does not tolerate too low temperatures in winter. From early May to late August, it is good to keep the cypress outdoors, in the shade and protected from drafts.

Cypress needs bright and diffused light, partial shade from the sun / especially in the hot summer months /. In insufficient light, the cypress withdraws and loses its shape, and in high light the leaves turn yellow and fall off.

Watering should be abundant in spring and autumn. In winter, watering is moderate. Cypress does not tolerate excess water and drought.

From May to August the cypress is fed with mineral fertilizers, once a month. In summer and spring it is periodically watered. Transplanting is carried out every two years in the spring.

The red mite is a dangerous pest of cypresses, which sucks sap from the lower part of the leaves and entangles them with a fine cobweb.

If you see small white cobwebs on the cypress, you should immediately insulate it and wash it under running water. The infested parts are wiped with a swab dipped in brandy, vodka or alcohol. If there is no improvement, spray with insecticides.

Cypress essential oil

Cypress oil has a slightly spicy, woody and refreshing aroma. It is colorless or pale yellow in color. The oil from cypress is extracted from the needles and twigs of the tree. It has very good therapeutic properties, which are astringent in antispasmodic, diuretic, hepatic and hemostatic action.

Cypress essential oil is a good antiperspirant, sedative. Eliminates irritability, hemorrhoids, cough, hair loss, pet odor, heavy and painful menstruation.

Oil steam therapy helps with shortness of breath, bronchitis, whooping cough and asthma. It calms the mind. Cypress oil can be used as a massage oil or diluted in the bath. In this case it helps with cellulite, arthritis, asthma, cramps, rheumatism, sweaty legs, varicose veins, menopause and heavy menstruation.

The oil from cypress used in various creams and lotions for varicose veins and cleansing dirty and oily skin. Cypress oil goes well with bergamot, lebanon, rosemary, oregano, lavender, pine, juniper and all citrus oils.

Cypress oil is contraindicated for hypertensives, nursing mothers, children and pregnant women, epileptics and all with individual intolerance to this oil. It should not be used for mastopathy, post-infarction conditions, cancer and increased blood clotting.