Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

El Prunus laurocerassus It is a magnificent shrub or tree that can be kept as an isolated specimen or as a medium-height hedge. Its maintenance is very simple; in fact, its cultivation in temperate climates where the rainfall is not very high is highly recommended.

In addition, it is one of those plants that tolerate pruning well, although yes: as long as it is done well, respecting the cycles of the species, otherwise we could lose it.

Origin and characteristics

In this shrub or small evergreen tree whose scientific name is Prunus laurocerasus, although it is popularly known as lauroceraso, royal laurel, smooth laurel, parrot or cherry laurel. It is native to Asia Minor, although today it is very popular in temperate areas of Europe.

Reaches a height of up to 6 meters, and produces oval and leathery leaves up to 10cm in length, green. The flowers are grouped in axillary clusters of white color. And the fruit is a black cherry-like drupe, which is edible (except the seed, which is poisonous).

Its cultivation both in the garden and in a pot is highly recommended, since as you will be able to see for yourself if you dare to get a specimen, it is a species that does not give problems.

Main varieties

There are several:

• angustifolia
• caucasian
• japonica
• mangoliifolia
• Otto Luken
• parvifolia
• rotundfolio
• Zabelian

The most suitable for hedges is the Caucasica.

What are their cares?

If you finally get one, we recommend taking care of it in the following way:

Royal laurel location

It must be placed outside, in full sun. It does not have invasive roots, but so that it can have an excellent development it is advisable to plant it at a minimum distance of 2-3 meters from walls, walls, tall plants, etc.

Earth

• Flower pot: with universal growing medium you will do more than well 🙂. Anyway, you can put a first layer of perlite, volcanic clay or similar to improve drainage.
• Garden: grows in all types of soils, even limestone and compact. But he prefers those with good drainage.

Irrigation

The cherry laurel is a plant that needs a regular water supply, but without going to extremes; In other words, you don't have to water daily, but don't let a month go by between waterings. You have to know that during the summer you will have to water very often since the land dries quickly, but the rest of the year you will have to wait longer before giving it water.

So, so that no problems arise, the ideal is to check the humidity before doing anything. To do this you can use a digital humidity meter, insert a thin wooden stick (if it comes out with a lot of adhering soil when you extract it, do not water), or weighing the pot just watered and again after a few days.

And if you don't trust it, tell you that, in principle, it should be watered 3-4 times a week in the middle of the warm season, and every 2-3 or 4 days the rest.

Subscriber

During all the months that I am growing, that is, from March / April to September / October of the northern hemisphere, it has to be paid with Organic fertilizers, like guano (you can get it in powder here and liquid -ideal for pots- for here), herbivorous animal manure, compost, egg and banana peels, ...

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds and cuttings in spring. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

The step by step to follow is the following:

1. First, a forest seedling tray or a 10,5cm diameter pot is filled with universal growing medium.
2. Then, it is watered thoroughly and copper or sulfur is sprinkled to prevent the appearance of fungi.
3. Then, the seeds are sown, putting two in each alveolus or three in the pot.
4. Afterwards, they are covered with a layer of substrate and watered again, this time with a sprayer.
5. Finally, the seedbed is placed outside, in semi-shade.

Thus, the seeds of Prunus laurocerasus they will germinate in 2-3 weeks.

Cuttings

To multiply it by cuttings it is enough with cut a piece of about 40cm, impregnate the base with homemade rooting agents and plant it in a pot with vermiculite, which you can get in this link.

If all goes well, it will emit its own roots after a month or so.

Pruning

The royal laurel is pruned late winter. You have to remove dry, diseased, weak or broken branches, and trim those that are growing too much.

Rusticity

Resists frosts down to -15ºC. It lives without problems in warm-temperate climates where the temperature just drops below 0º and in summer it reaches 40ºC.

What uses does it have?

Ornamental

El Prunus laurocerassus grown as a garden or pot plant. And it is that, either as an isolated specimen or in groups, or as hedges, it looks great 🙂.

Edible and medicinal

The berries are consumed fresh, and they are also especially useful when you have difficulty sleeping as they have a sedative effect.

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