How to Save Magnolia Seeds

Saving a magnolia seed allows you to replant it later.

Knowing how to save magnolia seeds doesn't take a lot of work and provides you with the chance to produce "heirloom" magnolia trees. The magnolia is a fragrant and decorative tree that produces flowers of the same name. The centers of these flowers hides a pod full of red magnolia seeds. Save them, and then plant them at a future date.

Things You'll Need

• Clippers
• Paper sack
• Rubber band
• Paper envelope

Instructions

1. Snip the pod containing seeds from the branch of the magnolia tree. Use clippers to do this, cutting at an acute angle. Leave about 3 inches of stalk on the seed pod.

2. Place the seed pod with the pod-side facing down into a paper sack. Bundle the opening of the sack around the upward-turned stalk of the seed pod to close the bag.

3. Wrap a rubber band around the bunched-up paper sack and stalk of the magnolia seed pod. This keeps the pod hanging in place in the bag so it can dry and shed its seeds.

4. Place the bagged seed pod somewhere dry for about two weeks. During this time, the pod will dry completely and drop all the kernel-like seeds from its slotted pits.

5. Empty the bag of dropped seeds into a paper envelope. Place the envelop in a drawer or somewhere else dry and dark until you are ready to plant them.

References

• Aggie Horticulture; Magnolia; Dr. William C. Welch