Magnolia Tree Care and Hardwood Cuttings
Magnolias are a large group of trees and shrubs consisting of about 80 species native to Asia and southern North America. Some species are evergreen and others are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves during the winter. Characteristics vary, but most magnolias have large, long waxy green leaves and huge cup-shaped flowers that have a strong, fragrant scent. Does this Spark an idea?
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Location
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Magnolias prefer full sun and bloom more than if grown in partial shade. Do not plant in a lawn, because leaves and seed pods shed during the spring, while shallow roots prevent anything from growing under the canopy. Do not place magnolias less than 15 feet from a paved area as the roots can cause damage.
Requirements
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Magnolias require acidic soil with plenty of organic matter introduced deep in the loose soil. The area must be well-drained as magnolias do not like consistent moisture. Some species require only warm temperatures and do not survive freezing weather, but most deciduous varieties do grow in the north where weather gets below freezing in the winter. The most notable evergreen variety is the 60- to 80-foot Magnolia grandiflora or southern magnolia. A smaller variety, Little Girl, grows only 10 foot. Deciduous varieties include the Korean magnolia and the tulip or saucer magnolia that grows to 25 feet tall.
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Regular Care
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Magnolias must be kept moist for a few weeks after planting. Once established, they only need water when conditions are dry. They need fertilization the first two to three years after planting, using a light application of 10-10-10 fertilizer. Apply per package instructions every four to six weeks after planting and during the growing season. After three years, magnolias do not need extra fertilization. Mulch underneath magnolias to keep shallow roots moist and protected.
Propagation by Cuttings
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Magnolias are not usually propagated by hardwood cuttings. Instead, the semi-hardwood method creates new plants more readily. Cuttings come from deciduous varieties taken in spring, before leaves appear. Cuttings come from 1- to 2-foot long branches with leaves removed up to the topmost few. The bark is sliced on each side of the bottom, dipped in rooting hormone and inserted in damp potting medium. The pot goes into a plastic bag and roots develop in three weeks.
Semi-hardwood cuttings come from new growth branches in spring that still bend without snapping unless sharply bent. Semi-hardwood cuttings process the same as hardwood cuttings and take 5 to 8 weeks to root.
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References
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Southern Magnolia
- Texas A & M University; Magnolia; Dr. William C. Welch
- Seminole County; Magnolias for Your Landscape; Al Ferrer
- University of Florida IFAS Extension; Propagation of Woody Ornamentals by Cuttings; David F. Hamilton, et al.
- Purdue University; New Plants from Cuttings; Mary Welch-Keesey, et al.
- East Texas Gardening: Magnolias
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
