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Magnolia Susan is a plant that can decorate any garden. However, she, like any decorative flowering tree, requires specific care. A huge disadvantage of magnolia of any variety is low winter hardiness, which causes problems when grown in regions with a cold climate.
Description of Magnolia Suzanne
Magnolias Suzanne are deciduous trees reaching a height of at least 2,5 m, maximum – 6,5 m. The shape of the plant is pyramidal, in the process of growing up the crown becomes rounder. The variety was obtained after crossing varieties of star magnolia and lily-colored. Magnolia Susan leaves are large, thick, rich green, glossy.
With proper care, the plant can live up to 50 years. Unfavorable conditions shorten the life of a tree.
How hybrid magnolia Susan blooms
The description of the Susan magnolia variety indicates that the flowering period of the plant falls on April and May, the complete cessation of flowering is noted at the end of June.
The flowers grow up, have the shape of a glass, large. The diameter of one specimen reaches 15 cm. The flower is six-petal, light pink, has a strong aroma.
Methods of reproduction
Planting and caring for Magnolia Suzanne begins with growing a seedling. There are three breeding methods:
- grafting;
- layering;
- seeds.
It is impossible to breed Susan’s magnolia in the Moscow region with seeds, no matter how good the planting and care are. Even if the plant takes root, it will be carefully covered for the winter, the seeds will not ripen. However, in warmer climates, this is a troublesome but affordable method:
- Seeds must be planted immediately after collection, the side walls of the seed coat are too hard, because it is pierced with a needle, washed with sandpaper.
- Planting material is covered with an oily layer, which must be carefully washed off with soapy water. Then rinse with clean water.
- Seeds are planted in boxes, deepening into the ground by 3 cm. The containers are removed to the basement, they are taken out only in March.
- The boxes are placed on a sunny windowsill. For 1 year, the seedling grows by 50 cm, only after that it is allowed to plant it in the ground.
At the end of June, when the magnolia fades, suitable branches are cut for cuttings. There should be 3 true sheets on top. The stalk is placed in a growth activator solution, then planted in a substrate of soil and peat. Containers with Susan’s magnolia cuttings are covered, placed in a room with a temperature of 19–21 ° C. After 2 months (the timing is individual), the first roots appear. After that, the cuttings are transplanted into the ground to a permanent place.
The method of reproduction by layering requires more time. In the spring, the lower branches are bent to the soil, buried. The branch is fixed so that it does not straighten out, but breaking off should also be avoided. In autumn, the layers will already have roots. Separating from the tree, planting future seedlings is permissible only after a few years.
Planting and caring for Magnolia Susan
Planting Susan magnolia and caring for the crop require the creation of favorable growing conditions for the seedling. It is especially difficult to grow a tree in the conditions of the Moscow region and central Our Country.
Recommended dates
Magnolia Susan’s planting is postponed until October. Magnolia Susan easily tolerates transplanting during this period, as the plant enters a dormant period. Spring plantings are undesirable because of the likelihood of unexpected frosts, which are detrimental to the plant.
Due to the low winter hardiness, the transplanted plant must be especially carefully covered.
Site selection and preparation of soil
The soil for the best growth of Magnolia Susan should not be calcareous, sandy. It is necessary to make peat, black soil, compost into the ground.
It is desirable to choose a bright place on the site. A strong wind is undesirable for a tree. An excessively wet area is also not suitable, waterlogging is unacceptable, like drying out.
How to plant
Compliance with the rules for planting magnolia will ensure good survival of the seedling, the health of an adult tree. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to moderately water the soil. The Susan hybrid is planted as follows:
- they dig up the earth, bring in wood ash;
- make a hole 70 cm deep;
- the seedling is placed in a hole, buried;
- soil is carefully tamped near the trunk;
- plentifully watered with warm water;
- mulch with peat.
It is forbidden to deepen the root neck, it should be located at least 2 cm above the soil surface.
Growing and caring for Magnolia Susan
According to reviews of growing Magnolia Susan in central Our Country, specific care difficulties have been identified:
- High or medium acidity of the soil is necessary, otherwise the plant starts to hurt.
- Freezing is registered even with careful shelter. In nitrogenous soils, the frost resistance of Magnolia Susan is reduced.
- Excess nutrients harm the plant. Leaves turn yellow and dry. The solution is abundant weekly watering.
- The reason for the appearance of spider mites may be the drying of the soil. Therefore, timely, proper irrigation is the best prevention.
By observing the rules of watering, fertilizing, pruning, gardeners maintain the health and beauty of magnolia.
Watering
The health and decorative qualities of magnolia depend on proper watering. So that the Susan hybrid does not lose aesthetic characteristics, adhere to the following irrigation rules:
- The first 3 years after planting the seedling, watering is necessary so often that the soil is constantly moist, but not wet. Overmoistening, like dryness, destroys a young magnolia.
- The grown tree is watered up to 4 times a month. Water must first be heated in the sun. The amount of moisture depends on the size of the plant – the older Susan’s magnolia, the more water it requires.
- For better absorption of liquid, before watering, be sure to loosen the soil with a rake. Since the root system is located close to the soil surface, therefore deep loosening is prohibited.
Regardless of age, care must be taken that the soil is not excessively wet. Watering an adult Magnolia Susan is only permissible if the ground is dry.
Additional fertilizing
If nutrients were added to the soil when planting, Susan’s magnolia does not need fertilizer for the first two years. Starting from the third year, top dressing is carried out regularly.
For self-production of fertilizer, urea and nitrate are diluted (ratio 2: 1,5). Of the ready-made fertilizers, any mineral complexes designed for ornamental, flowering shrubs are suitable.
Trimming
It is not necessary to prune the crowns of Susan variety trees for formation. Hygienic pruning is carried out in the fall, the tree should fade and prepare for winter. Tools should be sharp, not leaving creases and not damaging the bark of the tree.
The cut sites are treated with garden pitch, this is a necessary procedure for the seedling, which will avoid infection of the wounds.
In the spring, pruning is prohibited. Due to the active movement of juices, any violation of the integrity of the bark harms the tree.
Preparation for winter
Magnolia hybrid Susan has low winter hardiness. Even a slight frost is contraindicated for the plant.
Therefore, when growing in open ground, careful preparation for wintering is necessary. The earth around the tree is mulched, covered with spruce branches, the trunk is wrapped with a warm, dense cloth.
Pests and diseases
Pests and diseases are an infrequent problem of magnolias. Among the common pests of the Susan variety:
- worms;
- spider mites;
- rodents.
Spraying the tree with acaricides will help get rid of insects. So that mice cannot get to the trunk, roots and gnaw them, mulching is carried out in the pre-winter period. Found damage from the teeth of rodents must be treated with a solution of the drug “Fundazol”.
Of the diseases are characteristic:
- bacterial spotting;
- gray mold;
- soot fungus;
- powdery mildew.
Conclusion
Magnolia Susan in a warm climate will delight gardeners not only with greenery, but also with flowers. Residents of the middle lane and the north can plant a tree only in winter gardens.
Magnolia Susan Reviews
