Magnolia: planting and care in the open field, description of varieties, how to grow from seeds

Magnolia is considered one of the most ancient flowering plants, which is about 95 million years old. But even now the plant has not lost its popularity. Breeders have bred a large number of different varieties. Planting and caring for magnolia outdoors is not the most difficult task, despite the fact that the plant is whimsical.

Features of Magnolia

Magnolia is a shrub plant or tree. According to some reports, this culture even outlived the dinosaurs. Plant height may vary. The culture has beautiful large inflorescences of various shades.The most common are white and pink varieties. The size of the inflorescences also depends on the cultivar. The culture is thermophilic, so it is grown mainly in the south.

Varieties and plant species

There are a large number of tree varieties that differ in external characteristics and inflorescences. You can also find hybrids that are suitable for growing in temperate climates.

Siebold Magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii)

The variety belongs to trees, grows up to 8 m in height. The crown is sprawling, about 7.5 m in diameter. The inflorescence is cup-shaped at the beginning of flowering, gradually blooms and takes the form of a saucer. Petals in inflorescence 6-8 pieces. Flowering earlier, begins in May and ends at the end of June. In some cases, the tree may re-bloom in August. The Siebold variety is considered the most winter-hardy among all varieties.The tree can survive frosts down to -35 degrees.

Magnolia obovate (Magnolia obovata), or white-flowered magnolia

The tree is not the tallest when compared with other varieties of the plant, it reaches a height of 3-4 m. It has a dense and spreading crown. The variety has beautiful creamy-white inflorescences. The flowers are large, grow about 20 cm in diameter. The flowering period falls on the first two summer months. Differs in resistance to a drought and small frosts. The growth of the tree is slow, the plant is finally formed only in the second year after planting.

Magnolia officinalis (Magnolia officinalis)

Tall species, the height can exceed 15 m. The maximum height is 20 m. It enters the flowering period early, already in April immediately after the leaves appear. The flowers are cup-shaped, with a rich aroma, white in color. 15-20 cm in diameter.The leaves are large in size, up to 50 cm long, 25 cm wide. The flowers open in the morning and remain so until the evening. By night they are closed. Also, the inflorescences close when it's hot outside. The flowering period lasts from May to June.

Magnolia pointed (Magnolia acuminata), or cucumber magnolia

The tree of this variety grows up to 8 m high. The variety is frost-resistant and can withstand frosts down to -34 degrees Petals of flowers of a light yellow hue, bloom after The tree is fully leafed out. Suitable for growing in the Moscow region.

Magnolia stellata (Magnolia stellata)

Relates to tall shrubs, up to 3 m high. A significant drawback of this variety is slow growth. During the year, the shrub grows only 15 cm. Flowers begin to bloom in April before the leaves appear. The flowering period lasts about a month.

Magnolia liliflora (Magnolia liliflora)

Shrub grows up to 3 m in height, in some cases it can be 5 m. Foliage of a rich green hue. The crown is wide, spreading. The flowers are small, 3-4 cm in diameter. The shade is red-raspberry without aroma.

Magnolia Kobus (Magnolia kobus)

Kobus variety is characterized by a snow-white inflorescence with a pleasant smell. Petals in inflorescence 6, at the base on the back of the petals are purple. The tree grows up to 10 m. An adult tree has a spherical crown. If you provide good shelter for the onset of the winter period and favorable conditions for growing, then the Kobus variety can be cultivated even in the central regions. Relatively hardy plant.

Magnolia grandiflora (Magnolia grandiflora)

The variety is a tree up to 7 m high. The foliage is large, rich emerald color, glossy. The flowers are white, up to 15 cm in diameter. By night, the inflorescences close. Flowering begins in May and ends in early October.

Magnolia Sulange (Magnolia x soulangeana)

The Sulange variety is characterized by long flowering, which lasts almost a month. New flowers appear as soon as the old ones fade. The variety belongs to tree-like shrubs, from 2 to 10 m high. Suitable for cultivation only in the southern regions. Foliage of large size, rich light green shade. Dusty pink inflorescences. There are also varieties with red and white flowers.

Crop specifics

Magnolia is a rather whimsical crop, and if you do not pay enough attention to the choice of the site where the shrub will grow, and the composition of the soil, it will be problematic to grow a plant.

Choosing a landing site

The plant prefers to grow in open sunny areas. It is not recommended to plant seedlings in the shade, they do not grow well in such a place and their flowering is not so plentiful.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Before planting bushes in the ground, you need to choose them correctly. Branches should show no signs of damage. They must be intact and elastic. The rhizome is well developed, without parched roots.

How to plant

The plant grows very slowly, so you need to be prepared for the fact that even if you regularly feed the bush, this will not have a strong effect on growth.

How to plant a seedling:

• Dig a hole 1 m deep.
• Fill drainage at the bottom.
• Put the seedling in the ground and spread the roots.
• Fill with soil and tamp near the trunk.

At the end of planting, pour plenty of warm water with the addition of mineral fertilizers.

The nuances of caring for magnolia in the garden

Compliance with the recommendations for care is necessary in order for the flowering to be abundant and long.

What should the soil be like?

Culture prefers to grow on light and fertile soils with good drainage. Choose a substrate with neutral or weak acidity.

Irrigation mode

Magnolia belongs to moisture-loving plants, so the watering regimen must be observed. The soil must be constantly moist, it is important not to allow the soil to dry out. Warm water is used for irrigation. Watering must be plentiful. To keep the substrate moist and at the same time insulate the root system, you need to mulch the soil.

Feeding plants

Feeding should be applied to the soil no later than June. The shrub belongs to early-flowering plants, therefore, top dressing is applied as early as possible. This will be a good preparation for the beginning of the flowering period.

First of all, the bush is fed with complex mineral fertilizers. The last feeding is done in July. In August, the plant prepares for winter, and therefore it does not require nutrients.

Also, the shrub responds well to organic fertilizers. Especially if you water the shrub with chicken droppings diluted in water. Another way to feed is to sprinkle the soil near the trunk with wood ash and then water with plenty of warm water.

Transfer

Shrub refers to those rare varieties of plants that prefer to grow all their lives in the same place where the young seedling was originally planted. But if there is such a need that you cannot do without a transplant, you need to carry it out so that the plant experiences as little stress as possible.

Before digging up a bush, the soil around it is watered abundantly. Dig up a bush along with a large clod of earth. The main thing is that the soil does not crumble while the bush is moved to a new place. For example, you can cover a rhizome with soil with polyethylene and move a shrub in it. Dig a deep hole so that the clod fits freely.Pour drainage into the bottom of the pit. Plant a shrub and water abundantly. It is best to add complex mineral fertilizers to the water.

Cutting

Culture treats pruning badly. Pruning plants without a strong need is undesirable. The procedure is carried out only if it has diseased and dry branches.

Shelter for the winter period

Before the onset of cold weather magnolia must be prepared for winter. The culture is heat-loving and is grown mainly in warm regions, so it may not endure winters in the central part and the Volga region.

In order to protect the tree from frost, in autumn the lower part of the trunk is wrapped in two layers of burlap. The main thing is to do it carefully. The stems of the plant are fragile and easily damaged. Also, such a measure will protect the bark from rodents. If you do not cover the bush for the winter, it is likely that it will die.

Diseases and pests

Shrub rarely gets sick and is affected by insects. One of the problems that has to be faced is the yellowing of the foliage. Most likely, there is not enough iron in the soil. If yellow spots appear on the leaves, this indicates that the soil is oversaturated with lime.

Among the insects on the tree, a spider mite may appear. You can get rid of it with the help of chemicals. Another problem is damage to the bark by rodents. In winter, you can lay traps next to the tree. Cover the lower part of the trunk with two layers of burlap. Wounds from mice are treated with "Fundazol".

Cultivation

There are three ways to propagate magnolia. This is a seed method, cuttings and propagation of bushes by layering.

Seed propagation

One of the ways to grow magnolia is seed. The seeds of the plant are large and covered with a thick shell, so the shell is pierced or rubbed with sandpaper before planting.This process is called scarification. After that, the seeds are washed in a mild soapy solution, and then rinsed with clean water.

Substrate for flower crops is suitable for planting seeds. Planting material is sown to a depth of 3 cm. Then they are removed to the basement until spring. After the end of winter, the boxes are taken out of the basement and placed on the windowsill. The soil is regularly watered to keep it constantly moist.

Magnolia seedlings grow very slowly. In the first year after germination, the bushes grow only by 30-50 cm. Only after a year will they reach such a size that they will be transplanted into the street. Reproduction of magnolia by seeds guarantees success if you create ideal conditions for the growth of culture. It is best to plant freshly harvested seeds.

Cutting

The most favorable time to propagate the shrub by cuttings is the end of June. Cuttings are cut only from young plants.Several pairs of leaves are left on them (top), and the lower part is treated with growth stimulants for plants. Next, the cuttings are planted in wet sand or peat mixed with sand.

The substrate must be constantly wet. The cuttings are covered and placed in a room at a temperature of +18 to +21 degrees. Rooting of cuttings begins 7-8 weeks after they are planted. Cuttings are planted in open ground only after a year.

How to propagate by layering

Another way to propagate a shrub is layering. This method is the easiest of all. All varieties can reproduce in this way. This method is best used when the plant is still very young. Then you will be able to get seedlings much faster.

In the spring, the lower stems of the plant are bent to the soil and covered with earth. It is better to fix the stem with something. The top needs to be pinched. After 2-3 years, a powerful root system will form, and the layer can be cut off from the mother plant and planted in a new place.

Magnolia in landscape design

Magnolia is often used in landscaping and summer cottages. Bush varieties are often used as hedges. Magnolia is especially popular in seaside resorts because of the most suitable climate for the plant.

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