Magnolia

The genus Magnolia includes approximately 80 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Single flowers are very large and bright, painted in colors from white to yellow, from pink to purple, have a delicate aroma. The flowers of many deciduous species bloom in spring, before the leaves appear; evergreen-in late summer. Leaves alternate leathery, sometimes pubescent, large (up to 1 m long). The fruit is a cone-shaped composite leaflet (spiral leaflet), often very decorative. The most common of the evergreen species is Magnolia grandiflora, an erect tree up to 30 m tall with dark gray bark and a pyramidal or oval crown. Large ovate leathery, shiny dark green leaves, glossy on the upper side and rough on the lower. It is characterized by large white (often with a color transition to white-cream color) and very fragrant flowers. The most common of the deciduous magnolias is the hybrid Soulangeana magnolia (M. x soulangeana). It is bred by crossing the naked magnolia (M. denudata) and the lily-flowered magnolia (M. liliflora). This plant is usually in the form of a shrub or tree. It has large ovate-lanceolate leaves of light green color, with a slightly pubescent underside. In April, even before the leaves appear, large white flowers bloom.

The genus Magnolia includes approximately 80 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Single flowers are very large and bright, painted in colors from white to yellow, from pink to purple, have a delicate aroma. The flowers of many deciduous species bloom in spring, before the leaves appear; evergreen-in late summer. Leaves alternate leathery, sometimes pubescent, large (up to 1 m long). The fruit is a cone-shaped composite leaflet (spiral leaflet), often very decorative.

The most common of the evergreen species is Magnolia grandiflora, an erect tree up to 30 m tall with dark gray bark and a pyramidal or oval crown. Large ovate leathery, shiny dark green leaves, glossy on the upper side and rough on the lower. It is characterized by large white (often with a color transition to white-cream color) and very fragrant flowers.

The most common of the deciduous magnolias is the hybrid Soulangeana magnolia (M. x soulangeana). It is bred by crossing the naked magnolia (M. denudata) and the lily-flowered magnolia (M. liliflora). This plant is usually in the form of a shrub or tree. It has large ovate-lanceolate leaves of light green color, with a slightly pubescent underside. In April, even before the leaves appear, large white flowers bloom.

Cultivation

Magnolias are grown as ornamental trees and shrubs in parks and gardens: trees are usually in single plantings, and shrubs are grown in small groups. Less often (and only shrubby species) are cultivated on balconies and terraces, planting them in flower boxes or large containers. Due to the resistance of these plants to environmental pollution, they are particularly well suited for growing in urban environments. In a permanent place, magnolias are planted in March-April in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. And only some species, such as large-flowered magnolia, successfully grow on slightly alkaline soil. the soil. Low shrubby species and varieties, such as the deciduous star magnolia (M. stellata), can be planted in a flower box or large pot filled with a substrate consisting of 2/3 of fertile land and 1/3 of peat with the addition of complex fertilizers in the amount of 20-30 g per bucket of soil. In spring, plants grown in pots are fed-add 15-20 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of irrigation water.

Magnolias are grown as ornamental trees and shrubs in parks and gardens: trees are usually in single plantings, and shrubs are grown in small groups. Less often (and only shrubby species) are cultivated on balconies and terraces, planting them in flower boxes or large containers. Due to the resistance of these plants to environmental pollution, they are particularly well suited for growing in urban environments. In a permanent place, magnolias are planted in March-April in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. And only some species, such as large-flowered magnolia, successfully grow on slightly alkaline soil. the soil. Low shrubby species and varieties, such as the deciduous star magnolia (M. stellata), can be planted in a flower box or large pot filled with a substrate consisting of 2/3 of fertile land and 1/3 of peat with the addition of complex fertilizers in the amount of 20-30 g per bucket of soil. In spring, plants grown in pots are fed-add 15-20 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of irrigation water.

Location

Magnolias prefer partial shade. Types of spring flowering are recommended to be planted in a place protected from winds and cold weather.

Temperature

Usually, magnolias are resistant to both high and low air temperatures. However, spring-blooming species can get damaged due to late frosts.

Watering

Water magnolias only immediately after planting in the ground in a permanent place or during long dry periods during the growing season.

Transplant

Transplanted into a new pot every 2-3 years, in the spring, in a container slightly larger than the previous one. You can partially replace the old land. However, after 5-6 years, the plant will have to be transplanted into the open ground in any case.

Reproduction

The germination of magnolia seeds is a long process (up to 1.5 years), but sowing is used as a method of reproduction. Sow seeds in October, in peat soil, in a closed, unheated room. After the emergence of seedlings, they are planted one at a time in pots (10 cm in diameter) and taken out into the air in a protected place. After a series of consecutive transplants into pots of increasing size for 3-4 years, the plants are finally planted in the ground. There is also an alternative method: in July, take semi-woody cuttings 10 cm long. They are placed for root formation (pretreated with phytohormones) in a well-drained substrate and maintained at a temperature of about 20 °C. After root formation, cuttings are planted singly in pots, which are removed for the winter in a closed, cool room. With the onset of spring, they are taken out into the fresh air and treated like seedlings. Shrub varieties can be propagated by layering. On the underside of the long branch closest to the ground, an incision is made, after which it is dug in. After 1-2 years, new plants are separated from the mother plant.

The germination of magnolia seeds is a long process (up to 1.5 years), but sowing is used as a method of reproduction. Sow seeds in October, in peat soil, in a closed, unheated room. After the emergence of seedlings, they are planted one at a time in pots (10 cm in diameter) and taken out into the air in a protected place. After a series of consecutive transplants into pots of increasing size for 3-4 years, the plants are finally planted in the ground.

There is also an alternative method: in July, take semi-woody cuttings 10 cm long. They are placed for root formation (pretreated with phytohormones) in a well-drained substrate and maintained at a temperature of about 20 °C. After root formation, cuttings are planted singly in pots, which are removed for the winter in a closed, cool room. With the onset of spring, they are taken out into the fresh air and treated like seedlings.

Shrub varieties can be propagated by layering. On the underside of the long branch closest to the ground, an incision is made, after which it is dug in. After 1-2 years, new plants are separated from the mother plant.

Diseases

Spots of various shapes and colors (spotting) often appear on the leaves. Remove the affected leaves and treat the plant with copper-containing preparations. On young shoots, especially those damaged by frost, gray rot appears, which is eliminated with the help of appropriate chemicals. In case of infection with powdery mildew of grapes (oidium), whitish powdery spots appear on the youngest leaves. The disease is eliminated by treatment with anti-oidium drugs (sulfur, karathane). Scale insects are removed using a rag or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, after what plants are treated with anticoccidal drugs.

Other types The genus Magnolia includes several other species that are interesting from a decorative point of view. Magnolia denudata (Magnolia denudata, or M. conspicua, or M. yulan) is a deciduous shrub species of slow growth, the leaves are ovate, pubescent on the underside. In April, the flowers bloom pure white, cup-shaped, fragrant, with fleshy petals. Magnolia globosa (M. globosa) - a shrub, rarely a tree, with pubescent red buds. In late spring, white-cream spherical fragrant flowers are formed on long pubescent pedicels. The leaves are also pubescent, reddish on the underside of the plate. Magnolia liliflora (M. liliflora, or M. discolor, or M. purpurea) is a deciduous shrub with ovate or elliptical dark green glossy leaves and flowers that are purple on the outside and white on the inside. They bloom from April to June. The cultivar 'Black' flowers are larger and darker, purple on the outside, cream on the inside with purple spots. Magnolia obovata (M. obovata) is a deciduous tree with a height of 6-8 m with leathery obovate leaves and large (up to 15 cm across) creamy-white fragrant flowers with a ring of bright red stamens. Fruits are also very decorative. Magnolia Siebold (M. sieboldii) is a shrubby species with lanceolate leaves, dark green above and glaucous, and pubescent below. In May, round, drooping white flowers with fragrant red-purple stamens bloom. Fruits with seeds in racemes of bright red color are also very decorative. Magnolia stellata (M. stellata) is a very common shrub with lanceolate leaves and star-shaped flowers blooming in April with delicate aroma with white narrow, belt-shaped petals. Flower buds of the Royal Pink variety are pink, blooming flowers are white with a pink tint. The variety 'Pink' has pink flowers. The leaves of the "Royal Star" are painted in an intense green color, the flowers are much larger. The buds are pink, the open flowers are snow-white.

Other types

The genus Magnolia includes several other species that are interesting from a decorative point of view.

Magnolia denudata (Magnolia denudata, or M. conspicua, or M. yulan) is a deciduous shrub species of slow growth, the leaves are ovate, pubescent on the underside. In April, the flowers bloom pure white, cup-shaped, fragrant, with fleshy petals.

Magnolia globosa (M. globosa) - a shrub, rarely a tree, with pubescent red buds. In late spring, white-cream spherical fragrant flowers are formed on long pubescent pedicels. The leaves are also pubescent, reddish on the underside of the plate.

Magnolia liliflora (M. liliflora, or M. discolor, or M. purpurea) is a deciduous shrub with ovate or elliptical dark green glossy leaves and flowers that are purple on the outside and white on the inside. They bloom from April to June. The cultivar 'Black' flowers are larger and darker, purple on the outside, cream on the inside with purple spots.

Magnolia obovata (M. obovata) is a deciduous tree with a height of 6-8 m with leathery obovate leaves and large (up to 15 cm across) creamy-white fragrant flowers with a ring of bright red stamens. Fruits are also very decorative.

Magnolia Siebold (M. sieboldii) is a shrubby species with lanceolate leaves, dark green above and glaucous, and pubescent below. In May, round, drooping white flowers with fragrant red-purple stamens bloom. Fruits with seeds in racemes of bright red color are also very decorative.

Magnolia stellata (M. stellata) is a very common shrub with lanceolate leaves and star-shaped flowers blooming in April with delicate aroma with white narrow, belt-shaped petals. Flower buds of the Royal Pink variety are pink, blooming flowers are white with a pink tint. The variety 'Pink' has pink flowers. The leaves of the "Royal Star" are painted in an intense green color, the flowers are much larger. The buds are pink, the open flowers are snow-white.