Magnolias are plants with exceptionally beautiful flowers. We all know them and we are happy to plant them in our gardens.Proper care of magnoliasis the key to their abundant flowering. Learn the rules of growing this interesting plant and ensure it has a suitable place in your garden. Here's everythingabout fertilizing, watering and cutting magnoliasThanks to these rules, your magnolias will grow he althy and bloom beautifully!
Magnolia care
The ABC of proper magnolia carewas prepared for us by Mrs. Joanna Białowąs, a graduate of gardening and landscape architecture, managing the team at the garden center and helping clients to arrange and care for their green spaces.The author of many interesting tutorial articles on gardening and an expert on the gardening forum.
Magnolia cultivation site
The magnolia genus includesover 125 different species. Among them there are trees and shrubs of temperate climate that drop leaves, as well as evergreen species that grow in warmer regions. However, they all share similarrules for the care of magnolia
Magnolias requiresecluded and sheltered positions. Preferably sunny or semi-shaded, with a south-west exposure, as not all magnolia species can tolerate cold winters. Young plants that require protection for the winter are more sensitive.
The root system of magnolia is shallow, the roots are sparse, thick and fleshy. That is whywhen caring for magnoliathe soil around the plants should not be dug, but it is advisable to mulch it.
Soil for magnolia cultivationshould be fertile and always sufficiently moist, loamy-sandy, humus and warm, slightly acidic (pH 5-6).Garden peat, compost or manure should be added to weak and poorly fertile soils, and if the pH is too high, acidifying fertilizers help. Especially in the case of intermediate magnolia on calcareous soils, the leaves quickly turn yellow and show signs of chlorosis.
Fertilizing magnolia
Fertilization of magnoliais a very important procedure in its cultivation. We carry out them from spring to July, and from autumn we use autumn fertilizers with reduced nitrogen content. Since magnolias require slightly acidic soil, they respond poorly to lime fertilizers. However, they can be fertilized with universal fertilizers or fertilizers for acidophilic plants.
Special, granular, multi-ingredient magnolia fertilizer with micronutrients will be perfect for fertilizing magnolia. Such a fertilizer is rich in magnesium and boron, ingredients that ensure lush growth and the formation of strong, he althy buds.This fertilizer also affects the intense color of magnolia flowers and prolongs its flowering period. Thanks to its fast solubility, it allows plants to access nutrients faster than other granulated fertilizers. In addition, the fact that it is not necessary to mix the fertilizer with the soil reduces the risk of damaging the roots of the plant just below the top layer of soil.
Watering magnolia
Magnolias are drought-sensitive plants, requiring fertile, fresh and sufficiently moist soil. In longer dry periods,magnolias should be watered abundantlyThe soil should not be allowed to dry out during the whole growing season. Soil mulching can help us in this, keeping the necessary moisture around the root system.
Cutting magnolia
Magnolias do not require regular pruningto maintain proper growth and habit. Too frequent and radical cutting of magnolia is also not recommended, because these plants do not tolerate the cut.Although there are hybrid varieties of magnolia that are slightly better tolerant of pruning, such as the magnolia 'Susan'.
Erupted stems should be cut in half, just above the level of a he althy bud or above a properly developed branch.We cut the magnoliawhen the shoots were damaged by the wind. The wood of these plants is extremely fragile and unfortunately is often damaged.
Magnolia is best pruned in Maywhen it is fully leafy and will not exude any juices, and has already finished flowering. We do not cut magnolia in early spring!
With age, magnolias show weaker shoot tip growth and grow extremely slowly. Multi-conductor plants can be rejuvenated by cutting 1/4 to 1/3 of the old shoots 60-100 cm above ground level.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
