When should magnolia seeds be planted, and is the magnolia flower a tree?
Everyone is surely familiar with the magnolia; it is very common in daily life. Because of its high ornamental value, the magnolia is deeply loved by consumers, and many people now want to grow it. However, before planting it, everyone still needs to have an in-depth understanding of it. In particular, the planting time must be clearly grasped, as this is what helps it survive.
When should magnolia seeds be planted
Magnolia seeds are generally sown either in spring or sown immediately after collection (autumn sowing). Autumn sowing favors germination but is not good for overwintering, while spring sowing requires the seeds to be properly stored.
Is the magnolia flower a tree
The magnolia flower is a deciduous tree, reaching up to 25 m tall, with a diameter that can reach 200 cm. The crown is narrowly ovate when young, and a mature large tree takes on a broad ovate or loose, broadly ovate shape. Large trees of seedling origin often have an obvious trunk, a sturdy body, a majestic and towering appearance, vigorous growth, long internodes and sparse branches, though the number of flowers is somewhat sparse. Grafted plants often show multiple trunks or a low-branching trunk, with short internodes and dense branches, and a smaller, more compact body, but with clusters of flowers so abundant that from a distance they look pure white and exceedingly charming. Therefore, white magnolias of different origins create different moods in garden applications. In small or enclosed gardens, a single specimen or a small clump planting should use grafted plants to bring out an antique, elegant charm; while in scenic tourist areas, seedling-grown plants should be chosen to express a rough and simple style.
How to plant magnolia seeds
1. Seed collection and storage. Magnolia fruits usually mature from September to October each year, and they need to be collected promptly when the fruit splits slightly and the aril just begins to turn red-yellow. Place the fruit in a cool place to dry for a week to encourage it to split. After extracting the seeds, soak them in clean water for one or two days, then mix the clean white seeds, with the aril rubbed off, with kerosene or zinc phosphide to prevent rodent damage.
2. Sowing. Magnolia seeds easily lose their germinating ability, so autumn sowing should be done immediately after seed collection, while spring sowing requires proper storage of the seeds. Choose fertile and loose sandy soil, remove weeds while also killing insects, and be sure to apply enough base fertilizer. Level the bed surface, then open sowing furrows with a depth and width of 5 cm each and a furrow spacing kept at about 20 cm. Sow the seeds evenly in the furrows, then cover with a shallow layer of soil.
3. Management of sown seedlings. When the seedlings grow 2 to 3 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Growth during the seedling stage is relatively slow, so be sure to loosen the soil and remove weeds in time. From May to July, apply 3 topdressings of fully decomposed diluted manure water.
4. Care after sowing magnolia. After the magnolia seedlings grow larger, they can be transplanted on cloudy or overcast days. When transplanting, pay attention to the size of the soil ball around the seedling roots, and water them appropriately after transplanting. After planting the magnolia, later care is also needed, with regular pruning and pest and disease control.
Magnolia pests and diseases and their control
1. Taiwan, China subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus). Control methods: To control this termite, first place baits such as “Yike” in the termite trails; second, avoid mechanical damage to the trees; third, strengthen maintenance and management and promptly patch holes in the trees.
2. Dry rot. Control methods: When growing magnolias, be careful to protect wounds when pruning branches, and a protective agent can be applied. After dry rot occurs, apply a 70% thiophanate-methyl 800-fold solution for control.
3. Alternaria gray leaf spot. Control methods: For this disease, first promptly remove diseased residues and bury them deeply or burn them; second, in the early stage of the disease, spray a 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder 600-fold solution for control, spraying about once every 10 days, generally requiring 3 to 4 sprays.
4. Leaf spot disease. Control methods: When leaf spot disease occurs, first promptly prune off diseased leaves and collect fallen diseased leaves to bury deeply or burn together, to reduce the primary infection source; second, in the early stage of the disease, spray a 20% longkejun suspension concentrate 500-fold solution for control.
There are two sowing times for magnolia, with spring and autumn being the most common sowing times. Everyone can choose one according to their own actual situation. After planting, work such as weeding, pest and disease control, watering, and fertilizing needs to be done well. Only in this way can the magnolia grow healthily.