Planting and caring for magnolia in open ground, propagation methods

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

Features of magnolia

Magnolia is a shrubby 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 varieties are white and pink. The size of the inflorescences also depends on the variety. The crop is heat-loving, so it is grown mainly in the south.

Varieties and types of plants

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.

Magnolia sieboldii

The variety belongs to trees, grows up to 8 m in height. The crown is spreading, about 7.5 m in diameter. At the beginning of flowering, the inflorescence is cup-shaped, gradually blooms and takes on the shape of a saucer. There are 6-8 petals in an inflorescence. Flowering is earlier, beginning in May and ending at the end of June. In some cases, the tree may rebloom 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 is distinguished by a dense and spreading crown. The variety has beautiful creamy white inflorescences. The flowers are large, growing about 20 cm in diameter. The flowering period occurs in the first two summer months. It is resistant to drought and light frosts. The growth of the tree is slow; the plant is finally formed only in the second year after planting.

Magnolia officinalis (Magnolia officinalis)

A 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. The diameter is 15-20 cm. The leaves are large in size, up to 50 cm long, 25 cm wide. The flowers open in the morning and remain that way until the evening. By nightfall they close. Also, the inflorescences close when it is hot outside. The flowering period lasts from May to June.

Magnolia acuminata, or borage magnolia

A tree of this variety grows up to 8 m high. The variety is frost-resistant and can withstand frosts down to -34 degrees. The petals of the flowers are light yellow in color and bloom after the leaves on the tree fully bloom. Suitable for growing in the Moscow region.

Magnolia stellata

It belongs to tall shrubs, up to 3 m high. A significant disadvantage of this variety is its slow growth. Over the course of a year, the bush grows only 15 cm.The flowers begin to bloom in April before the leaves appear. The flowering period lasts about a month.

Magnolia liliflora

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

Magnolia kobus

The Kobus variety is characterized by a snow-white inflorescence with a pleasant aroma. There are 6 petals in the inflorescence, at the base on the back side 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 winter and favorable growing conditions, then the Kobus variety can be cultivated even in the central regions. Relatively frost-resistant plant.

Magnolia grandiflora

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

Magnolia Sulangeana (Magnolia x soulangeana)

The Sulange variety is characterized by long flowering, which lasts almost a month. New flowers appear immediately after the old ones fade. The variety belongs to tree-like shrubs, with a height of 2 to 10 m. Suitable for cultivation only in the southern regions. The foliage is large in size, rich light green in color. Inflorescences are dusty pink. There are also varieties with red and white flowers.

Specifics of growing crops

Magnolia is a rather demanding 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, growing the plant will be problematic.

Choosing a landing site

The plant prefers to grow in open sunny areas. It is not recommended to plant seedlings in the shade; they grow poorly in such a place and their flowering is not so abundant.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Before planting bushes in the ground, you need to choose them correctly. The branches should show no signs of damage. They should be intact and elastic. The rhizome is well developed, without dry 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, it will not have a strong effect on growth.

How to plant a seedling:

• Dig a hole 1 m deep.
• Place drainage at the bottom.
• Place the seedling in the ground and straighten the roots.
• Cover with soil and compact it near the trunk.

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

The nuances of caring for magnolia in the garden

Compliance with care recommendations is necessary to ensure that flowering is abundant and long-lasting.

What should the soil be like?

The crop prefers to grow on light and fertile soils with good drainage. You should choose a substrate with neutral or weak acidity.

Watering mode

Magnolia is a moisture-loving plant, so the watering regime must be observed. The soil must be constantly moist; it is important not to allow the soil to dry out. Heated water is used for irrigation. Watering must be plentiful. To maintain the moisture of the substrate and at the same time insulate the root system, you need to mulch the soil.

Plant nutrition

Fertilizing should be applied to the soil no later than June. The shrub is an early flowering plant, so fertilizing is applied as early as possible. This will be a good preparation for the beginning of the flowering period.

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

The shrub also responds well to organic fertilizers. Especially if you water the bush with chicken droppings diluted in water. Another way to fertilize is to sprinkle the soil near the trunk with wood ash and then water it with plenty of warm water.

Transfer

The shrub is one of 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 a transplant cannot be done without, it must be done in such a way that the plant experiences as little stress as possible.

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

Trimming

The culture has a bad attitude towards pruning branches. It is not advisable to trim plants unless absolutely necessary. The procedure is carried out only if there are diseased and dry branches on it.

Shelter for the winter

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

In order to protect the tree from frost, in the fall 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 easy to damage. This measure will also protect the bark from rodents. If you do not cover the bush for the winter, there is a high probability that it will die.

Diseases and pests

The shrub rarely gets sick and is affected by insects. One of the problems we have to deal with is 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 using chemicals. Another problem is damage to the bark by rodents. In winter, traps can be placed next to the tree. Cover the lower part of the trunk in two layers of burlap. Wounds from mice are treated with Fundazol.

Breeding culture

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

Propagation by seeds

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

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

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

Cuttings

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

The substrate must be constantly moist. 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 planting. Cuttings are planted in open ground only after a year.

How to propagate by layering

Another method of propagating shrubs is layering. This method is the simplest of all. All varieties can reproduce in this way. It is best to use this method when the plant is still very young. Then you will be able to get seedlings much faster.

In spring, the lower stems of the plant are bent to the soil and covered with soil. 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 cuttings can be cut off from the mother plant and planted in a new place.

Magnolia in landscape design

Magnolia is often used in landscape design and gardening.Bush varieties are often used as hedges. Magnolia is especially popular in seaside resorts due to the climate most suitable for the plant.