Magnolia

Family. Magnoliaceae.

Origin. North America.

Description. Magnolias are evergreen or deciduous, branching trees and shrubs with beautiful, large flowers. Many species, in addition to beautiful flowering, also have very attractive fruits. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, green, leathery, 15 - 20 cm long. The leaf blades on the underside are painted in a lighter shade and have a delicate, velvety pubescence. The flowers are single, fragrant, white, lilac, pink or burgundy, about 8–20 cm in diameter, abundantly cover the branches and sometimes appear even before the leaves form.

Height. In nature it reaches 6 m.

Care

When it blooms 

The exact flowering period depends on the species. Magnolia blooms from spring to autumn; trees first bloom at the age of 7 years.

Growing at home 

Representatives of this genus will appreciate being outdoors during the warm season. Young bushes should be pruned immediately after flowering to give them a beautiful compact shape. Adult specimens do not tolerate pruning well, so it is recommended to remove only old and weak branches.

Reproduction

There are several methods of propagation - seeds, stem cuttings, air layering and grafting. Seeds are sown in spring in well-moistened soil of peat and sand, germination takes a long time - up to 1.5 years. Seeds are pre-subjected to cold stratification. Rooting of cuttings, about 10 cm long, is carried out in wet sand using growth hormones.

Transplant 

Young magnolias are replanted in spring, with the beginning of new growth, but before flowering, annually, into larger pots. Mature trees often have impressive dimensions and are difficult to replant. Just replace the top layer of soil in such specimens with fresh substrate every year. When replanting, try not to disturb the root system unnecessarily - use transshipment.

Temperature

During the growing season, keep at normal temperatures ranging from 18 to 24 °C. During the winter months, a rest period at temperatures of around 12 - 15 °C and below is necessary to form flower buds for the following season. Do not expose magnolia to temperatures below 6 °C.

Lighting

The shrub loves light, place it in a place where the shoots and leaves will receive direct sunlight in the morning or evening every day. When grown in partial shade, flowering will be less abundant.

Soil

Loose, well-drained soil with sufficient organic matter in the form of peat and leaf humus. The optimal pH ranges from 7 to 7.5.

Fertilizer

Feed every 2 weeks during the period of active growth; the tree responds well to both mineral and organic fertilizers.

Spraying

If the air in the room becomes too dry, turn on a room humidifier or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. You can spray the leaves with water at room temperature.

Watering

Watering should be abundant - until the soil lump is completely soaked, and regular during the growth period. Young specimens do not tolerate drought. Softened bottled or rainwater is used for watering. In the fall, the frequency of watering is reduced, and in winter, the soil is dried to half the depth between waterings. To reduce hardness, you can add regular baking soda to tap water - a teaspoon per 2 liters of water.

Pests and diseases

Among the harmful insects that can attack the flower, we can highlight thrips and aphids, spider mites and mealybugs. When grown in open ground, the root system can be gnawed by mice.

Purpose

A valuable ornamental flowering genus, whose representatives look very impressive when grown in the bonsai style.

Note

One of the beneficial properties is that the plant releases special substances into the air - phytoncides, which help fight bacteria and viruses.

Varieties:

Magnolia stellata

Multi-stemmed shrubs or small flowering trees with a height of 4.5 to 6 m. This magnolia blooms in the spring months and buds often appear even before the leaves. The leaf blades are dark green, elliptical, 5 to 10 cm long. The flowers are slightly fragrant, white or pink, 7 to 10 cm in diameter with narrow, long petals. Young shoots and leaves are covered with short, silvery, attractive pubescence. 

Magnolia grandiflora

In their natural habitat, these are evergreen trees ranging from 25 to 35 m in height with a luxurious, dense, spreading crown. The branches are thin, flexible, abundantly branched. The leaves are simple, glossy, dark green, lanceolate, slightly bent along the central vein. The leaf blades reach a length of 20 cm. The flowers are attractive, large - up to 30 cm in diameter, with white, thick, rounded petals. During the flowering period, the plants emit a fairly strong but very pleasant aroma.

Magnolia kobus

Trees with a spreading crown up to 10 m high, with abundant and early flowering. White, fragrant, attractive flowers up to 10 cm in diameter often appear even before the leaves. The leaves are dark green, oblong-lanceolate, 8 to 15 cm long with a glossy surface. The leaves are arranged alternately. In the autumn months, before leaf fall, the leaf blades turn yellow. 

Magnolia sieboldii

Dense, multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees from 3 to 10 m high. The leaves are green, broadly lanceolate, matte, on short petioles. The leaf blades reach a length of 7–15 cm and turn golden yellow in autumn. The flowers are large, cup-shaped, up to 10 cm in diameter, with white, round petals and a rather intense aroma. 

Magnolia loebneri

Early and abundantly flowering shrubs or small trees, which in their natural habitat reach a height of 6 m. The flowers are bright, pink, with long, narrow petals, fragrant, appearing even before the leaves. The leaves are lanceolate, glossy, green. Leaf blades are entire. 

Magnolia liliiflora

Flowering shrub or small tree up to 4 m high. Abundantly branching shoots form a rounded crown. The leaves are green, lanceolate, entire, glossy, often appearing as the flowers fade. Leaf blades can reach 20 cm in length and 10 cm in width. The flowers are bright, pinkish or lilac in color with oblong petals up to 10 cm long. During the flowering period, the plants emit a pleasant aroma. 

Magnolia × brooklynensis Yellow Bird

In nature, these are large, flowering trees with a height of 6 to 12 m. Flowering is abundant and early - attractive golden-yellow, fragrant flowers often appear on bare branches. The leaves develop as the buds fade. The leaf blades are narrow, lanceolate, up to 25 cm long, with a glossy, dark green surface. The flowers reach a diameter of 7 cm and often remain half-open. In the autumn months, the leaf blades turn golden brown. 

Magnolia obovata

Spectacular flowering trees with a dense, spreading crown, height from 15 to 30 m. The leaves are simple, broadly lanceolate, dark green, on short petioles, collected in whorls. Leaf blades are entire. The flowers are fragrant, cream or white, sometimes pink, cupped, and open in summer. Flower petals are oblong, thick, waxy. During the flowering period, the plants emit a very pleasant aroma. 

Magnolia virginiana

Spreading shrubs or trees with a height of 3 to 12 m. Depending on the climate, plants can be evergreen or deciduous. The leaves are narrow, lanceolate, entire, dark green, glossy. The leaf blades may be slightly bent along the central vein. The leaves are arranged alternately and reach a length of 6 - 12 cm. The flowers are cup-shaped, cream or white, up to 15 cm in diameter, and have a very strong sweet aroma. 

Magnolia acuminata

A large tree up to 15 - 20 cm high. Abundantly branched branches form a pyramidal crown of plants. The leaves are simple, lanceolate, up to 25 cm long, arranged alternately. The upper surface of the leaf blades is dark green, glossy. The lower surface is painted in a lighter shade and covered with slight pubescence. The flowers are solitary, appear in late spring on the tops of shoots, and are colored greenish-yellow. After flowering, the plants form bright pinkish-red fruits. 

Magnolia tripetala

A small flowering plant with a height of 4.5 to 9 m. The branches are thin, flexible, covered with glossy burgundy bark. The leaves are dark green, oblong-lanceolate, entire, reach a length of 30 - 50 cm, collected in whorls. In late spring - early summer, plants form very large, attractive flowers, reaching 15 - 25 cm in diameter, with a very unpleasant odor. 

Magnolia macrophylla

Flowering trees are from 9 to 12 m high. The leaves are green, soft, simple, broadly lanceolate, reaching a length of 70 cm. The lower surface of the leaf blades is painted in a lighter shade. The leaves are collected in whorls or arranged alternately. The flowers are large, white or cream, reach 30 cm in diameter and have a pleasant aroma.