Detailed Explanation of Magnolia liliiflora Propagation and Management Techniques (Part 2)

Potting soil

Magnolia liliiflora prefers loose, fertile acidic to slightly acidic soil. Equal parts of leaf mold and garden soil can be mixed as potting soil, with 50 to 150 grams of bone meal or NPK compound fertilizer added to the soil. The pot should be slightly deeper and larger, with some broken hard plastic foam pieces placed at the bottom to enhance air permeability and drainage and prevent root rot. Repot and change the soil once every year or every other year after flowering, retaining 1/2 to 1/3 of the old soil.

Water and fertilizer

Magnolia liliiflora prefers moisture and fears waterlogging, so timely and appropriate watering is very important. From the beginning of spring to flowering, keep the potting soil moist but not wet; after flowering, keep the potting soil moist but not waterlogged; after leaf drop, keep the potting soil slightly moist but not dry. It must never be drought-stressed or waterlogged at any time, especially during the rainy season when drainage and waterlogging prevention should be attended to.

Magnolia liliiflora prefers fertilizer. Fertilization should seize the two key timings of 2 months before flowering and 5 months after flowering, applying NPK compound fertilizer about once every ten days. The former makes the buds swell and the flowers bloom, while the latter promotes more bud formation and more flowers the following spring. When leaves drop in early winter, apply a fertilizer mainly of phosphorus and potassium once to enhance its cold resistance and overwintering ability; at other times, apply less or not at all. Avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer alone.

Light and temperature

Magnolia liliiflora prefers light. Placed in a sunny courtyard or rooftop garden, it will grow robustly and luxuriantly with ample sunlight. Under semi-shade conditions it can still grow, but it will be rather weak and produce few flowers; in too much shade it will produce no flowers. It is relatively cold-hardy, and can overwinter outdoors in Beijing and areas to its south.

Pruning

Magnolia liliiflora has strong root suckering ability. If propagation is not needed, cut the suckers as they grow, and keep only 3 main stems per pot. For branches that are too tall or too long, they can be cut short right after flowering when leaves have just unfurled. Because its wound-healing ability is poor, sulfur powder should be applied after cutting to prevent rot; if unnecessary, do not prune. After flowering, if seeds are not needed for propagation, the faded flowers should be cut off together with their bases.