Evergreen trees and shrubs of magnolia are famous all over the world for their purity and harmony, as well as beauty, literally emitted from them, especially during the flowering period. The plant was named after the famous French botanist Pierre Magnoli.
Magnolia Description
Magnolia is a shrub or deciduous tree that grows up to 20 m in height. Its stems are overgrown with brown bark, which is scaly or furrowed. The rather large green leaves are oval in shape and slightly pubescent.
Single flowers exude a characteristic aroma, in diameter their size varies from 6 cm to 35 cm. Each individual instance is formed by 6-12 petals of red, white or pink shade. Magnolia bloom depends on the variety, there are samples in which it falls at the very beginning of spring. Triangular seeds, after opening the leaflet, cling to it with threads. In addition to high decorative qualities, especially in spring, magnolia also exhibits medicinal properties.
Types and varieties of magnolia
Magnolia is widespread in the world due to its aesthetic appearance and great variety variety. Some of the largest collections are located in the United Kingdom and in the capital of Ukraine.
| Kinds | Description, varieties |
| Siebold | Often, this magnolia is represented by shrubs, rarely - a tree reaching 10 m in height. The leaves have the shape of a shortened oval, grow up to 15 cm in the longitudinal dimension. Reminiscent of the shape of a bowl, the flower is located on a weak peduncle, reaches 10 cm in diameter. A winter-hardy sample is able to withstand ambient temperatures up to -36 ° C, but a very short time. Siebold was bred from the second half of the 19th century. |
| Obovate or White | Deciduous tree, whose homeland is one of the Kuril Islands, reaches a height of 15 m. The stems are covered with gray bark, smooth in texture, and end with 8-10 leaves. The flowers are large (about 16 cm in diameter), are represented by cream shades, exude a strong aroma. The plant safely tolerates cold and shadow, however moody to the level of moisture and the composition of the soil. It has been cultivated since the second half of the 19th century. |
| Medicinal | Shrub with large leaves, strongly smelling flowers, with a pointed point on top. This plant was originally from China, where it was widely used in the medical field. In the middle lane almost never occurs. |
| Pointy or cucumber | Deciduous tree originated in North America and spread to larch and rocky areas of the continent. This species is able to grow up to 30 m in height. Young plants have a crown in the shape of a pyramid, and mature ones have a rounded shape. The foliage is slightly pubescent, on the shady side it is more grayish, while the front is dark green. Small flowers (up to 8 cm) are bell-shaped. Formed by yellow petals mixed with green. The resistance of the species to cold is the greatest among all others. In America, based on this species, Brooklyn magnolia was bred. |
| Star | It is noteworthy for its decorative qualities, in particular the shape of flowers formed by oblong white-colored petals, reminiscent of a star in appearance. The plant is small in size - about 2.5 m. The stems are brown. The most common varieties and hybrids:
The Susan variety has a richly red tint, with a paler middle. |
| Lilia color | One of the most common species has been cultivated since the end of the 18th century. This popularity is explained by the saturation of flowering and a light source of aroma. The flowers resemble a lily, but their size reaches 11 cm. On the outside they are purple in color, and on the inside they are white. Of particular note is the Nigra variety, whose outer surface is a ruby hue. |
| Cobus | Under natural conditions, deciduous tree grows up to 25 m, however, the height of the cultivated sample does not exceed 10 m. The top of the leaf has a pointed shape. The surface of the plate is bright green, and its shadow side is less saturated. Fragrant white flowers reach 10 cm in diameter. For the first time, Cobus will bloom only at the age of 9 to 12 years. Refers to frost-resistant species. |
| Large flowered | The young plant shows slow growth and weak frost resistance, however, large flower sizes (up to 25 cm in diameter) and the pleasant smell emanating from them compensate for the shortcomings. The plant is well adapted to urban conditions, resistant to insect attacks and various ailments. The fruit is shaped like a bump. The most common forms are:
Gallison (resistant to cold). |
| Sulange | There are several dozen forms of this plant, which have gained distribution around the world. This species does not grow above 5 m in height, and its leaves reach about 15 cm in length. The size of the flowers covers a range from 15 cm to 25 cm, sometimes their aroma is practically absent. They are represented by a wide color palette: purple, pink, white. Moreover, the latter is an exceptional case. The plant is not considered whimsical. |
Outdoor Magnolia Planting
The strong photophilousness of the plant significantly limits the possible habitat, so the planting area is suitable only well-lit and not shaded. Another important requirement is the protection of the place from strong gusts of wind.
The soil should not contain excessive amounts of salts, lime, moisture and sand. Sapling can be planted in open ground at any time of the year except winter, but it is preferable to do this in mid-autumn, since according to statistics - this guarantees 100% survival. If you plant in the spring, it is better to give preference to its middle.
Landing technology
The volume of the planting pit should be twice as large as the root system of the seedling. It is recommended to dilute excessively heavy soil with sand, and the soil remaining after planting should be mixed with rotted compost. It is first necessary to equip the hole with drainage, by falling asleep 20 cm of a layer of broken brick. Then add sand with a layer of 15 cm, and place a special soil mixture on top. After that, arrange the seedling itself, fill the empty areas with earth, and condense the top layer. Then it must be abundantly moistened, and after the water has been absorbed, sprinkle peat around the trunk and lay the dry bark of any coniferous tree. Such measures will stop drying.
Care for magnolia in the garden
It consists in abundant regular moistening only with warm water, gently loosening the soil after and fertilizing for the third year of growth. It is carried out through the use of both mineral and organic mixtures. The composition of one and possible dressings:
- 10 l of water;
- 1 kg of cow humus;
- 20 g of saltpeter;
- 15 g of urea.
A mature sample will require a minimum of 4 buckets as a single top dressing. Fertilizer is not produced more than 1 time per month, acting on this day as an alternative to watering. Drying leaves is the first symptom that indicates that the plant is overfed. To save magnolia should reduce the concentration of the mixture, and increase the amount of moisture.
Transfer
Ripe magnolia painfully undergoes a transplant operation, so it is carried out only if it is impossible to avoid it. The procedure practically does not differ from the already described landing technology.
Magnolia propagation
It can be carried out by 3 methods, when choosing each one, it is first of all to focus on the variety of propagated magnolia. All methods have their advantages and disadvantages.
Cutting is carried out as follows:
- In March, prepare shoots with still unblown flowers and leaves (young plants should be preferred);
- Leave 2 leaves on each shoot;
- Stimulate root formation by treating the lower part with a special tool;
- Prepare a mixture containing peat, vermiculite and perlite;
- Plant branches in a container;
- Cover with polyethylene;
- Moisturize regularly;
- Ventilate and maintain the ambient temperature daily +23 ° С;
- A week later (after root formation), plant in separate containers.
It is important to understand that propagation by horizontal layering is applicable exclusively to shrubs, and air should be used in relation to the tree.
Horizontal layering:
- Drag the base of a low-growing branch with wire;
- In a place where the stem will touch the soil, make a circular incision of the bark;
- Tilt to the ground and drip;
- After 1-2 years, when the root system is formed, deposit the cuttings from the parent plant.
Air lay:
- Make an incision in a circle on the selected branch, while it is important not to damage the wood;
- Treat the wound with heteroauxin;
- Attach the moss to the place and wrap it with cling film;
- Lock the branch so that it does not fall;
- Introduce moisture into the moss through the use of a syringe;
- In October, separate the layers from the parent magnolia and plant them in a separate container;
- Allow to winter the plant at home;
- In the spring transplant into open ground.
Seed propagation is carried out as follows:
- Collect ripened seeds in the first half of autumn;
- Soak for 3 days;
- Wipe through the use of a sieve;
- Wash with soap and rinse in clean water;
- To dry;
- Sprinkle with wet sand and place in polyethylene;
- Stratify in the refrigerator for 3 weeks;
- Disinfect in a solution of manganese;
- Keep wrapped in damp gauze until the sprouts hatch;
- Prepare a container (at least 30 cm high);
- Fill the soil;
- Immerse in the ground no deeper than 1 cm;
- In the spring transplant into open ground.
Pruning magnolia
The shrub does not require any pruning except for decorative. Also, dried branches should be removed, it is worth doing this exclusively in the autumn, after the fruits ripen. In the spring - it is strictly forbidden, because at this time the plant rises juice content.
Magnolia in winter
Shelter should be made no later than the end of November, for which it should:
- Carefully wrap the trunk in burlap in several layers;
- Mulch the near-stem circle after the first frost.
Pests and diseases
The shrub is practically not susceptible to disease and pest attacks. The only thing that poses a real threat is Verticillosis, the first symptom of which is yellowing of the foliage. Within a week, the fungus is able to destroy magnolia. If it is too early to detect the disease, then the plant can still be cured by spraying with Fundazole.
Mr. Summer resident informs: the use of magnolia
Despite the fact that magnolia includes a number of useful substances, it is worth knowing that it is poisonous. Infusion from the extract of the plant normalizes blood pressure, promotes recovery in bronchial asthma, and magnolia is also applicable as an antiseptic. Shrub extract is used by hypertonics. For the manufacture you will need to mix crushed seeds (2 teaspoons) with 0.2 l of alcohol 70% and insist for 2 weeks. 25 drops should be taken daily before meals.
If steamed in 1 liter of boiled water, chopped leaves in an amount of 3 tbsp. spoons and withstand the resulting mixture for 24 hours, you get a rinse that helps strengthen.
