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Gardeners often associate magnolia exclusively with a tropical (in extreme cases, subtropical) climate. In fact, such prejudice regarding the climatic zones for growing this plant is a misconception. There are more than a dozen varieties of magnolia that can withstand wintering relatively unproblematically in temperate and even temperate continental climates. Today, magnolia in the Moscow region has become as commonplace as honeysuckle, fir, thuja or the same peaches. The article discusses the cultivation of magnolia in the Moscow region, describes the features of planting and caring for the plant, and provides photos of it.
Does magnolia grow in the Moscow region?
There are no reasons why magnolia could not grow in the Moscow region, except for the relatively harsh winters for this plant species.Other climate features: humidity, duration of the warm season, wind direction, etc. do not have a special effect on the life cycle of magnolia and are not an obstacle to its cultivation.
According to reviews from gardeners, magnolia specimens growing in the Moscow region are no different from their subtropical counterparts. Neither the growth, nor the timing of flowering of plants, nor its intensity decreases in comparison with “southern” cultivation.
Some adaptation features of young plants and plants that have undergone transportation and transplantation to new climatic conditions are noted. These features lie in the fact that during the first 2-3 years the flowering time and its intensity are significantly less than they should be for magnolias growing in their homeland.
In addition, plants, even those with high frost resistance, can suffer significantly from frost in the first years of their life in a cold climate and can barely tolerate frosts even less than those declared for the variety.
However, already in the 4th year of life, the plant comes into a form characteristic of “cold” cultivation - flowering times are stabilized, the plant’s bark and its wood thicken, and it turns out to be completely adapted to new living conditions.
If the plant's agricultural practices are followed correctly, there are virtually no cases of magnolias dying from hypothermia in winter.
Magnolia varieties for the Moscow region
The main criterion for choosing a magnolia variety for growing it in the Middle Zone is the frost resistance of the plant.To be sure to get a plant that can withstand the winter near Moscow, you should pay attention to varieties with a frost resistance class of 3 to 5. Such plants can withstand negative temperatures from - 40 ° C to - 29 ° C.
Other varietal qualities do not play a special role, since the climate of the Moscow region as a whole is capable of ensuring normal vegetation and flowering for the plant. In most magnolias, the duration of flowering does not exceed 1 month, and its beginning occurs at the end of spring. The climate of the Middle Zone is sufficient to provide the required number of warm days.
The following are the most acceptable frost-resistant magnolia varieties that can be recommended for cultivation in the Moscow region.
Kobus
It is considered the most unpretentious variety, with the cultivation of which one should begin “acquaintance” with magnolias in the Moscow region. The variety can grow in the 3rd frost resistance zone, that is, withstand temperatures down to - 40 ° C.
This is one of the tallest similar crops that can be found in Russia. The height of mature trees, even in the conditions of the Moscow region, reaches 12 m. Kobus flowers are relatively small - their diameter ranges from 8 to 10 cm. A photo of the tree and flowers of magnolia kobus is given below.
Magnolia Loebner
A plant that is a hybrid of kobus and star magnolia. Similarly to one of its parents, it can withstand temperatures down to -40 °C. It is distinguished by its annual stability of flowering (the beginning of flowering occurs in May, the duration is up to 25 days).
The plant has white flowers with long and thin petals. The diameter of the flowers is up to 12 cm. Flowering occurs even before the leaves appear on the plant.
Wilson's Magnolia
A tree up to 10 m high, with a relatively dense crown with a diameter of 3-4 m. It has long and narrow leaves (up to 18 cm long, 3-5 cm wide) and brownish-red bark. The frost resistance of the plant is sufficient for the middle zone - “Wilson” can withstand frosts down to - 35 ° C.
The flowers are white, having from 9 to 15 petals, the diameter of the flower is up to 12 cm. A distinctive feature of this variety is the original structure of the central part of the flower. In addition, the flowers are always inclined towards the soil and can only be seen from below.
Flowering begins in the first ten days of June.
Magnolia Siebold
Deciduous shrub with a funnel-shaped crown. The height of the plant can reach 6 m. It has elliptical leaves up to 15 cm long, pointed at the end. The color of the leaves is green-blue, changing to bright yellow in autumn.
The flowers are medium in size, with a diameter of 7 to 10 cm. They have white-yellow petals and characteristic red stamens. The smell of the flower is pleasant, spreading over a long distance.
The plant belongs to the 5th frost resistance zone and can withstand temperatures down to - 30 ° C. However, it may suffer from late frosts, so it is advisable to cover the shoots of young shrubs 1-2 weeks before bud break. Flowering occurs in late June or early July and lasts up to 3 weeks.
Magnolia Ash
A large shrub, in some cases a tree, up to 8 m high. Typically, the “woody” form occurs in plants that received sufficient care and nutrition in the first years of life. It has dark gray bark, young shoots are green with pubescence.
The plant is very decorative. The shape of the leaves is very specific and is one of the characteristic features of the variety.The leaves are very large (70 cm long and about 30 cm wide), ovate with two lobes and a wavy edge. They are located on petioles up to 10 cm long. The flowers can be very large (more than 20 cm in diameter), white.
Flowering lasts about three weeks and occurs at the end of May. The frost resistance of the plant is -25 ° C, it takes root well in the middle zone, but in harsh winters the shoots need shelter.
Planting and caring for magnolia in the Moscow region
Planting magnolia in the Moscow region does not contain any specific features and, in general, is very similar to the process of planting apple or pear trees.
On the other hand, in the sun, young plants are often susceptible to burns. Thus, the best option for a plant to stay in the garden is partial shade.
When to plant magnolia in the Moscow region
Planting can be done almost throughout the warm season - from mid-March to the end of September. The plant has no special restrictions or recommendations on planting time.
This is primarily due to the fact that magnolias in the Moscow region in the form of seedlings are always supplied in pots or containers, so the root system is practically not injured during transplantation.
Site selection and soil preparation
It is best to provide the plant with partial shade by planting it in the shade of a large coniferous tree. If there is none nearby, you can use the shade of a large ash or poplar tree. As a last resort, you can use nearby buildings.But at the same time, the magnolia should be positioned in such a way that it is exposed to sunlight for at least 4-6 hours.
It is best to plant in light and moderately moist soil.
Recommended soil composition:
- garden soil - 2 parts;
- peat – 1 part;
- humus or compost - 1 part.
Planting magnolia in the Moscow region
In order to plant a tree, it is recommended to dig a hole three times the volume of the clod of earth that comes with the seedling.
It is recommended to place a layer of rotted manure 5 cm high at the bottom of the hole. Next, the hole is filled with pre-prepared soil and a ball of roots is placed on it.
After installing the seedling in the hole, it is filled in, the top layer of soil is compacted and moderate watering is carried out.
How to grow magnolia in the Moscow region
Caring for magnolia is quite simple: it includes watering and fertilizing, as well as sanitary pruning of the plant.
Watering
Watering will be carried out once every 2-3 days in a volume of 20 liters per bush or tree.
Top dressing
The first feeding of the plant is carried out 2 years after planting. In the future, fertilizing is carried out twice a year: in early spring and in mid-summer.
The composition of the feeding mixture is as follows: 15 g of urea, 20 g of ammonium nitrate and 1 kg of mullein are dissolved in 10 liters of water.
Trimming
Caring for magnolia when growing it in the Moscow region does not imply formative pruning of the plant. Both magnolia trees and shrubs should be subjected only to sanitary pruning - removal of dried, damaged or frostbitten shoots.
Magnolia shelter for the winter in the Moscow region
Magnolia of the above varieties winters without problems in the Moscow region, however, it is recommended for young plants in their first 2-3 years of life to use various shelters made of plastic film or agrofibre.
In this case, it is not even necessary to wrap the plant completely; you can limit yourself to only covering the roots and trunk up to the 2nd tier of branching shoots.
Pests and diseases
Gardeners who have experience growing magnolia in the Moscow region note that this plant has fantastic immunity and resistance to disease. There are practically no recorded cases of plant diseases either fungal or viral diseases. Cases of yellowing or blackening of magnolia leaves and shoots were caused by thermal burns of the plant (which can happen even in the Moscow region) or by excessively active and uncontrolled feeding.
The situation with pests is not so happy, since both the leaves and roots of the exotic plant attract very active interest from the fauna of the Moscow region. First of all, it should be noted rodents (from mice to hares), which love to gnaw the root collar of the plant. In addition, moles are never averse to eating delicious magnolia roots.
The fight against these pests is exclusively “mechanical” in nature: plants must be fenced off from access of large rodents, and traps must be set for small ones. The fight against moles on the site is generally a separate topic, which is not possible to cover within the framework of this article. In any case, the roots and trunk of the plant damaged by rodents need to be treated with a solution of foundationazole with a concentration of 1%.
Among arthropods, the spider mite, whose appearance is shown in the photo below, poses a particular threat to magnolia in the Moscow region.
The peak of mite activity occurs during the dry period, and the pest hides under the lower part of the leaves. It sucks the juices out of the plant, leading to the death of fairly large fragments of magnolia.
The best remedy against spider mites are special preparations used to combat mites - acaricides, for example, Bicol, Flumite, Apollo. Acaricides are very toxic drugs, so some gardeners do not recommend their use on magnolia. A compromise option is specialized products - insectoacaricides, which are also effective against ticks, but are less toxic to flora and humans (Akarin, Karate, Actofit).
Conclusion
Magnolia in the Moscow region is not a fantasy at all, but a very real situation. The main, or rather the only problem when growing magnolia in the Moscow region is the frost resistance of the plant. If magnolia can survive the winter, then no other problems caused by both the climatic and geographical features of the Middle Zone will be an obstacle to its cultivation.
