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Magnolia can be propagated in several ways without purchasing new seedlings to increase the population of the shrub. But in order for a shrub propagated at home to take root safely, it is necessary to clearly understand the rules of cultivation.
How does magnolia reproduce?
In general, the magnolia tree reproduces in 2 main ways:
- vegetative propagation, cuttings of an adult shrub or layering are taken for it;
- seed propagation - Magnolia is grown directly from seeds.
In practice, vegetative methods are used more often, since propagation is easier and allows you to quickly grow a beautiful ornamental shrub. But propagation from seeds also has its advantages; this method allows you to maintain the purity of the variety and obtain a plant with increased endurance.
How to propagate magnolia from cuttings
Cuttings are the easiest and most affordable way to obtain a new plant from an existing shrub. Even novice gardeners can cope with propagating magnolia by cuttings at home, since there is nothing complicated in this process.
Recommended timing
Traditionally, magnolia cuttings are carried out in the spring. During this period, the shrub awakens to active growth, so the cuttings will take root and grow stronger much faster than in the fall. Regardless of whether the cutting is planted immediately in open ground or first in a closed container, its adaptation will be more successful during spring planting.
Harvesting cuttings
In order to propagate magnolia by cuttings in the spring, it is recommended to take young magnolia shoots that have already begun to woody.
- You need to cut the branches directly under the bud, leaving a gap of 2-3 mm.
- The cuttings must have at least 4 leaves, the 2 lower ones will need to be removed and the 2 upper ones left. The lower cut should not be horizontal, but oblique, at approximately an angle of 45 °.
- Leaves that are too large can be cut back to more than half their length.
- The top cut of the cutting should be 5-6 cm above the remaining leaves.
The prepared cuttings are dipped with the bottom part into a solution with an added growth stimulator for a day. A magnolia cutting will be able to take root without additional stimulation, but a root-forming solution will speed up the rooting process.
Where to plant cuttings
After the prepared cutting has been left in the solution with a growth stimulator for 24 hours, it can be planted in the ground. At this stage, propagation is carried out in two ways - the magnolia is either placed directly in the ground in the open air, or first planted in a container.
When planting in open ground, you need to pay attention to choosing a planting site. Magnolia loves light, loose and well-drained neutral or slightly acidic soils. The shrub requires good natural light, so it is best to place the cutting in a sunny and warm area of the garden, protected from strong winds. The video of magnolia propagation by cuttings shows that propagation of the shrub in partial shade is also allowed, but the shading should not be too dense.
If you plan to plant magnolia in a container at home, then before planting you must also take care of the quality of the soil. To make the magnolia cutting feel comfortable, you can prepare the following mixture - mix 2 parts of peat with 1 part of turf soil and add 1/2 part of sand.
How to plant magnolia cuttings
Planting cuttings is done in the standard way:
- Shoots treated with root-forming solution must be buried in the soil by about 5-10 cm.
- The cuttings are lightly sprinkled with loose, moist soil and then immediately watered.
- Even before planting the cuttings, it is advisable to fertilize the soil with complex fertilizers; this stimulates faster growth of the root system.
Regardless of whether the cutting is planted in a container or directly in open ground, in the first stages it needs to create greenhouse conditions.To do this, after watering, the plant is covered with film or glass on top to provide the shoot with increased humidity and a suitable temperature of at least 20 ° C. On the site, it is best to plant the cuttings in a greenhouse until they take root and only then transfer them to a permanent place.
At home, magnolia cuttings are faster because the shoots are in stable, comfortable conditions without changes in temperature and humidity. If possible, it is recommended to root the cuttings in a container and replant them in the ground 2-3 months after cutting, in June or July.
How to grow magnolia from cuttings
Caring for magnolia cuttings consists of several simple procedures.
- Watering. In order for magnolia propagation to be successful, the cuttings must be watered regularly, approximately once every 3-4 days. The top layer of soil must remain constantly moist.
- Protection from drafts and insects. A young shoot needs a stable temperature and high humidity without sudden changes, so it is best to keep the cutting in a closed greenhouse or under a glass or polyethylene cover.
- prop. Since the formation of the bush begins already at the cutting stage, it is better to immediately install a support post close to the cutting, which will not allow the young plant to bend.
It is recommended to add fertilizing to the soil for the cuttings during planting - these magnolia fertilizers will last for the entire season or until transplanting to another area of the garden. If all conditions are met, rooting of the plant takes about 2-3 months.
How to grow magnolia from seeds at home
Planting and caring for magnolia seeds looks a little more complicated than taking cuttings.However, amateur gardeners use it to obtain hardy and beautiful trees that retain all varietal characteristics.
Recommended timing
Magnolia seeds should be sown in late spring, early or mid-May, after the plants have started their growing season and the soil has completely thawed. Although magnolia can be propagated by seeds in the open ground, more often the seeds are sown in home containers. This increases germination and reduces the risk that most of the seeds will die.
Selection of container and soil preparation
When propagated by seed, the magnolia bush develops a very powerful and long root rod. Therefore, the container for sowing seeds must be appropriate - a height of 30 cm or more. In a pot or box that is too low, the seedling will quickly hit the bottom with its roots, and this can lead to the death of the plant.
When propagating magnolia from seeds, the soil should be loose and fertile. It is better to choose slightly acidic or neutral soil containing carbonates for planting. You can also prepare nutritious soil for seeds yourself; turf soil must be mixed with peat in a ratio of 1 to 2, and then add another 1/2 sand. Before planting seeds, you need to add mineral and organic complex fertilizers to the soil.
Preparing magnolia seeds for planting
Theoretically, magnolia seeds can be planted in the ground immediately after purchase. However, experienced gardeners highly recommend carrying out stratification first, in other words, creating an artificial imitation of the influence of climatic conditions.
- The process of stratification refers to freezing at mild temperatures. In the fall, prepared seeds are placed in a small container on abundantly moistened sphagnum moss, sawdust, foliage or hay.
- For 3 months, the seeds are placed in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf for vegetables. From time to time the container with them needs to be checked and, if necessary, the substrate should be re-wetted. The temperature in the refrigerator should be approximately 5 degrees above zero.
- In the photo of magnolia seeds you can see that if stratification is carried out correctly, after 3 months they will swell slightly and the outer shell will burst. After this, the seeds can be removed from the refrigerator and planted in the ground.
How to Plant Magnolia Seeds
Stratified seeds are sown quite abundantly, taking into account the fact that not all of them will sprout, but only 70-75% of the seeds. It is necessary to bury the seeds into the soil by 4-10 cm, the space between individual seeds should be about 1.5-2 cm.
The first shoots should appear approximately 2 months after planting; magnolia takes a long time to germinate. It is necessary to keep the pot or box with seeds in a warm place with a stable temperature.
Growing magnolia from seeds at home
After magnolia from seeds at home germinates in a container, you will need to care for it very carefully. First of all, the container will need to be moved to a well-lit place - young sprouts need not only warmth, but also sunlight.
- Seedlings must be protected from drafts, but the plants must be ventilated regularly so that the magnolia receives a sufficient amount of fresh air.
- The soil in the container needs to be moistened as it dries; the water should not stagnate, but dry soil will have a bad effect on the condition of the seedlings.
- In early to mid-summer, the seedlings can be fed a little more with complex fertilizers. Since young magnolia is highly sensitive during seed propagation, fertilizing will benefit it.
It is recommended to thin out magnolia sprouts 1.5-2 weeks after emergence. It is better to remove weak and diseased sprouts - they still will not be able to develop into a good tree, and they will interfere with neighboring healthy sprouts.
With proper care, magnolia from seed can grow up to 15-30 cm during the warm season.
How to propagate magnolia by layering
Another simple way to propagate shrubs is to increase the population using layering. The method is convenient in that it involves propagation immediately in open ground, without the use of greenhouses and containers.
- In early spring, the lower branches of an adult magnolia are bent low to the ground, and a small incision is made in the bark of the shoot.
- The branch is secured with a staple or wire so that it does not straighten.
- The area with the cut must be slightly buried in the soil and sprinkled with a mound of loose earth up to 20 cm high.
By the end of the season, the cuttings should be firmly rooted, and caring for them comes down to regular watering and fertilizing, which can be done simultaneously with fertilizing the main bush.
Another method of propagation by layering is aerial rooting. In this case, the shoot does not need to be bent to the ground; it is enough to cut it, treat the bare area with a growth stimulator, cover it with moistened moss and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. From time to time, the cut site is re-moistened using a syringe.
If aerial rooting is carried out correctly, then after 2-3 months the shoot will form young roots, and in the fall it can be separated from the main bush.
Transplanting magnolia to a permanent place
Magnolia is a plant with a delicate and sensitive root system. In principle, she does not like transplants, so when transferring a seedling or sapling to a permanent place, the site must be chosen very carefully.
- If you need to transplant a seedling to a permanent place, you must wait until it reaches about 1 m in height. It is best to replant in early autumn, so that the shrub has enough time to adapt.
- When propagating magnolia from seeds, planting is recommended in the spring of the next year after germination. Ideally, you should wait 2 years, then the seedlings will finally get stronger and quickly take root in the open ground.
The permanent site for magnolia should be sunny, protected from strong winds and drafts, with nutritious neutral soil. You cannot plant magnolia on limestone - this is detrimental to the plant. The magnolia transplant algorithm is very simple. On the site you need to dig a planting hole about 50 cm deep and wide, fill it halfway with soil, and then lower the seedling and cover it with soil right up to the root collar. Immediately after planting, the plant is watered and mulched with humus.
It is necessary to water the seedling in a permanent place as the soil dries; complex fertilizing is applied in early spring before flowering begins. In mid-summer, sanitary pruning can be done to remove diseased and broken branches.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to propagate magnolia on your own if you follow simple planting and care rules.Cuttings, layering and seed propagation bring equally good results; you need to choose a propagation method based on your own experience and convenience.
