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Among the many ornamental trees and shrubs, magnolia grandiflora, which adorned the globe in the era of dinosaurs, stands out with the beauty of flowering. Today there are 240 species in the world. Most of them grow in the subtropical climate of the northern hemisphere.
Especially popular among the many varieties is the American magnolia grandiflora, a photo of which is presented below. The plant is just huge in size, fragrant, snow-white flowers. The plant is the official flower of the US state of Mississippi.
Description of large-flowered magnolia
The botanical description says that magnolia grandiflora got its name thanks to the works of the French botanist Magnol. In the wild, it is most often found in Asia and North America. There are more than 120 species in the world, of which up to 25 varieties tolerate frost well.
In height, the large-flowered magnolia grandiflora can reach 30 m. The wide crown is pyramidal or ovoid in shape. Large foliage of dark green color with a lower edge.
Fragrant snow-white flowers in large-flowered magnolia grandiflora in diameter up to 30 cm. Each of them has 6-12 petals. Flowering lasts from late spring to August. After flowering, original cone-like fruits are formed. Fruiting is annual.
For cultivation in the middle zone of the country, it is recommended to choose seedlings that have already acclimatized in Our Country. Cultures brought from European countries are much more thermophilic.
Seedlings of large-flowered magnolia from Poland take root well. For example, this is a winter-hardy variety Alba. With a good layer of mulch, it can endure frosts down to -20-23 0C. This group includes Victoria and Edith bogue. They have frost resistance up to -25 0С.
How the large-flowered magnolia grandiflora blooms
Even in the Tertiary and Cretaceous period, the large-flowered magnolia magnolia grandiflora pleased the eye with its chic white flowers. Many species are pollinated only by small bugs, since bees and other insects do not yet fly by this period. Once a flower is in full bloom, it loses its ability to pollinate.
The flowers of the large-flowered magnolia grandiflora are bisexual with a delicate aroma, located at the ends of the shoots. The color is not always white, there are varieties of cream, pinkish, purple. 6-12 petals are attached to the perianth, which are arranged in 2-4 circles.
Methods of reproduction
Before planting, you should determine what species the large-flowered magnolia belongs to (the photos below will help you make a choice). Some varieties have poor seed germination.
Cutting
Hybrid species of large-flowered magnolia are preferably planted by cuttings or young layering. In early spring, cut the cuttings to the desired length. You need to do this until the flowers and foliage have blossomed. Shoots are cut only from young branches, since roots are poorly formed on older ones.
Layering
This propagation method is only suitable for large-flowered magnolia shrubs. Earth is sprinkled with lower layering, located horizontally. Mature trees can be propagated by air layering. Root formation occurs within 1-2 years. After this period, the seedling can be transplanted to a permanent place.
seed
Interestingly, magnolia has a large-flowered fruit in the form of a cone, which consists of seed leaflets. Seeds have an oily structure, so they need to be stratified before planting. In autumn, the material is sown in open ground.
Growing large-flowered magnolia at home
Step-by-step instruction:
- Before planting, the seeds of large-flowered magnolia grandiflora need to be prepared – remove the seeds and soak for several days in water. Rub through a sieve.
- To remove oiliness from the seeds of the culture, they are washed in soapy water and under water. Dry well and mix with sand and put in a bag.
- For a month put on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for stratification. This will improve germination rates.
- Seeds of large-flowered magnolia are treated with a fungicidal agent and laid out in one row on a wet layer of bryozoan.
- As soon as they hatch, they can be sown in a container to a depth of 1 cm.
Growing magnolia grandiflora outdoors
Magnolia Grandiflora has a very interesting species description. And the variety of large-flowered magnolia itself is suitable for cultivation only for those who have great patience and determination. Although there are many such lovers among domestic gardeners. As you know, large-flowered magnolias are heat-loving plants, but winter-hardy varieties can also be found among them.
Recommended crop planting dates
According to experienced growers, the most optimal time for planting large-flowered magnolia is autumn. During this period, the culture is at rest, so the stress will go unnoticed. This increases the chances of survival. Although magnolia bushes can also be planted in spring. Young trees of large-flowered magnolia grandiflora should be protected from frost so that their root system of culture does not suffer.
Site selection and soil preparation for large-flowered magnolia
The first step is to choose a good place to plant, where magnolia grandiflora will grow. The tree does not tolerate open areas where northerly winds prevail. The rhizome develops poorly in heavy clay, saline soil or with the presence of lime. Does not tolerate sandy soil. The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic.
For planting a crop, choose fertile, mulched soil. Drainage in the hole is required. Small gravel, crushed stone will do. Magnolia willingly responds to regular watering and the introduction of feeding liquids under the culture. Before planting, fertilize the soil in the hole with rotted compost or humus.
How to plant
Young seedlings can be planted in late spring or early summer. By autumn, they have time to build up a strong root system and take root. Thanks to reinforced roots, magnolia grandiflora is actively developing. The frost resistance of the culture is generally good, so it can endure the harsh snowy winters of the middle zone.
Young growth for the winter needs to be mulched. Make sure that the root neck of the plant protrudes above the ground by no more than 3 cm.
When planting a large-flowered magnolia, a hole is dug 60×60 cm in size. For larger specimens of culture, the pit will need to be tripled. Pour a layer of drainage into the bottom of the hole. From above, add a fertile soil mixture consisting of rotted compost, a peat layer and coarse sand. After planting, the seedling is plentifully watered.
Growing rules
An adult bush of large-flowered magnolia grandiflora does not tolerate transplants. In case of urgent need in a new place for culture, it is necessary to create favorable conditions using all the useful recommendations.
Watering
Magnolia Grandiflora at home requires especially careful care until it is transplanted into open ground in the spring. After that, the cultivation of the crop is the most common, like other trees. At first, a large-flowered magnolia seedling is watered regularly, but moderately so that the soil does not dry out, otherwise it is detrimental to the plant. The soil under the culture is loosened so that a crust does not form.
In the middle of summer, a rooted seedling of large-flowered magnolia grandiflora needs to be watered twice a week. In the sultry heat, the foliage is plunged into sprinkling. Such a preventive technique does not allow spider mites to multiply on the culture. To reduce evaporation near the trunk circle, you need to put straw, pine layers or sawdust.
Additional fertilizing
Feeding components for the culture begin to be introduced in the 3rd year after planting. Until this moment, the large-flowered magnolia grandiflora feeds on those fertilizers that were originally laid in the planting pit. Mineral and organic compounds are used as dressings.
One of the types of top dressing for large-flowered magnolias: rotted mullein – 1 kg, urea – 15 g, saltpeter crystals – 20 g, water – 10 l. Under each adult tree, you need to pour 40 liters of a similar composition. The culture is fed 2-3 times during the entire growing season.
Trimming
Large-flowered magnolia grandiflora practically does not need pruning. This culture usually has a natural crown formation by nature itself. And, nevertheless, you need to remove damaged and dried branches.
In late autumn, when evergreen large-flowered magnolia stops blooming and loses almost all foliage, pruning can be done. In the spring, this is absolutely impossible to do, as there is an increased secretion of juice. The wounds of this culture flow all the time, which can lead to disease and death of the tree.
Preparation for winter
It is impossible to cover an adult tree for the winter period, but it is quite possible to take care of the root system. Loosen the soil around the trunk circle slightly, sprinkle with a layer of mulch on top.
Young seedlings of this crop can be completely covered with a special material – agrotechnical fiber. This will help protect them from the negative effects of winter frosts, piercing winds, icing, heavy torrential spring / autumn rains.
Pests and diseases
The magnolia tree has good stress resistance and strong immunity, so this crop is rarely exposed to diseases. Although this does not eliminate the need to inspect foliage and buds annually for the presence of harmful insects and diseases. After all, they can easily move from other cultures.
Despite strong immunity, large-flowered magnolia can be affected by verticillium. With the development of this disease, the leaves of the tree turn yellow. Spores affect the culture, starting from the bottom of the crown. The wood begins to die, turning brown. Such a branch must be immediately removed and the cut should be smeared with garden pitch.
The causative agent of the disease is the spore fungus Verticillum. A treacherous disease can destroy an adult tree in just a week. If the symptoms were noticed at the initial stage, then you can try to save the large-flowered magnolia. For example, spray with a strong insecticide. For 10 liters of water, 10 g of any ampoule solution is used.
Conclusion
Magnolia grandiflora is beautiful during flowering, and not only during this period. After the flowers wither, the tree is decorated with decorative broad foliage. No wonder plant breeders call her the empress of landscape design. Caring for large-flowered magnolia grandiflora is not very difficult, but then the tree will thank you with fragrant and charming flowers. It is unlikely that there will be an indifferent person to the beauty of this tropical exotic.