How to Propagate Saucer Magnolia Trees

Famous for blooms the size a child's head, magnolia trees are pervasive in the southern United States. The saucer magnolia, a more shrublike variety of the magnolia tree, makes a more compact offering for those with smaller growing spaces, while offering the prolific pink and cream blooms for which the tree is known. Propagating this tree from seeds or suckers is a very simple and rewarding process.

Things You'll Need

• Saucer magnolia seeds
• Paper towel
• Plastic bag
• Potting mix
• Container or pot
• Trowel
• Water
• Pruning shears
• Rooting compound

Instructions

Propagate From Seeds

1. Obtain saucer magnolia seeds. This can be done by harvesting the seeds from a tree, or by purchasing seeds from a nursery or online garden supplier. To harvest the seeds, wait until the seed pods open. You will see the bright red seeds inside the pods. Once they are visible, they can be harvested. If the seeds are difficult to remove from the pod, remove the pod from the tree with pruning shears and place it in a paper bag. Allow the pod to dry out for a day or two, and check the seeds again. They should be easier to remove.

2. Stratify the seeds. Saucer magnolia seeds require a cold period in order to sprout. To simulate this, wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel and place the packet into a plastic bag. Allow the seeds to remain undisturbed for a minimum of 60 days. You can check the packet to make sure it stays moist, but do not unwrap the seeds. Do not exceed 90 days in cold storage.

3. Prepare to plant the seeds. Prepare your containers or pots by filling them with a nutrient-rich potting mix. Containers best suited for growing saucer magnolias are tall and deep, as trees tend to grow from very long tap roots that do not like to be disturbed.

4. Plant the seeds. Remove the seeds from cold storage and plant them 1/2 inch deep in the potting mix. Water and place in direct bright sunlight. Make sure the seeds stay warm, so do not place them near drafty windows or doors. The seeds should sprout within 6 weeks.

Propagate From Suckers

1. Using pruning shears, cut the sucker from the parent plant. Cut as closely to the parent plant as possible. Try to avoid causing damage to both the sucker and the parent plant. If the sucker has sprouted up from the ground, use a spade and dig down approximately 1 foot. Do not worry if the sucker has no roots, this is common with saucer magnolia suckers.

2. Treat the cut area with rooting compound. Following the directions on the package apply rooting compound to the sucker. If the cut area is frayed or damaged, neaten up the area before you apply the compound.

3. Plant the sucker. Place the sucker into a container filled with nutrient-rich potting mix. Water in well, and keep the soil moist. Root growth takes anywhere from 30 to 90 days to appear.

4. Maintain the suckers during the root growth phase. Provide them plenty of water and a sunny location with partial shade during the afternoon to avoid scorching.

References

• Garden Web Forums
• The Helpful Gardener
• Fine Gardening