How to Grow Magnolia? These Uses Beyond Ornamental Value

Magnolia, also called magnolia and xinyi, is a deciduous small tree of the genus Magnolia in the family Magnoliaceae, with purple-brown branches and purplish-red flowers. Magnolia is mainly distributed in Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other places in China, so how to grow magnolia? Besides ornamental value, it also has these uses!

I. Growth Habits of Magnolia

Magnolia prefers a growing environment with plenty of sunlight, warmth and moisture, and it can also tolerate shade and cold. Magnolia is suitable for planting in fertile, moist sandy soil with good drainage, while planting in dry clay soil will result in poor growth. The root system of magnolia is fleshy and can store a certain amount of water, but it is afraid of waterlogging, and its wound healing ability is very poor, so there must be no standing water in the soil, otherwise it can easily cause the roots to become soft, damp and rotten.

II. Planting Methods for Magnolia

1. Soil

Before planting magnolia, choose fertile, moist sandy soil with good drainage. If growing it in a pot at home, sandy soil should also be used, and clay must not be chosen, otherwise it will lead to poor growth.

2. Watering

Pay attention to the amount when watering magnolia; it should be neither too little nor too much. Too little watering will cause the soil to dry out, and the magnolia plant will suffer from water shortage, yellow leaves and drying up. Too much watering will cause standing water in the soil, which can easily make the magnolia roots become soft, damp and rotten.

3. Sunlight

Magnolia prefers a growing environment with plenty of sunlight, so it is best to plant magnolia on the sunny side of a hillside. If growing it in a pot at home, it is best to place it on a south-facing balcony with good light, so that the magnolia can fully receive sunlight.

4. Temperature

Magnolia prefers a warm and moist growing environment. Although its cold tolerance is also relatively strong, some cold-proof and freeze-proof measures should still be taken in winter, such as painting the trunk with white paint. If growing it in a pot at home, it is best to move the pot indoors when winter comes, and keep the room temperature stable and the air circulating.

5. Fertilizing

Magnolia likes fertilizer, and special attention should be paid to timely fertilizing before and after its flowering period. Fertilizing should mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and in winter fermented farmyard manure can be applied. During the spring budding and branch-growing period, topdressing should be done 2 or 3 times, mainly with quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer.

6. Pruning

Magnolia grows relatively fast, so excess branches should be pruned in time. This allows the other branches to also fully absorb sunlight, making the magnolia plant grow better and giving it a more graceful shape.

III. Other Uses of Magnolia

1. Landscape Use

Magnolia is a commonly used ornamental landscape tree species. It blooms in spring, with flowers of many colors blooming in competition, and magnolia is often used to decorate parks and courtyards, adding a great deal of color.

2. Medicinal Effects

The flowers of magnolia are not only for viewing, but can also be used as medicine. They can be harvested and dried for medicinal use before the magnolia flowers have fully opened, and can promote urination and reduce swelling, moisten the lungs and relieve cough, and can also treat jaundice.

The above is an introduction to the cultivation methods of magnolia. Magnolia has many uses; it can not only be used for viewing, but can also be used as medicine and food. The flower language of magnolia is a noble soul, and giving an open magnolia as a gift to a teacher on Teacher's Day is a good choice.