Magnolia flowers. Care, reproduction

Magnolia is a plant of ancient origin. In the countries of the East, it symbolizes chastity, spring, charm and beauty. Initially, magnolia flowers were grown in the northern part of China, as well as in the central part and in the south of the USA. In the wild, they are found mainly in tropical zones, in forests, in dense massifs - where there is soil rich in humus.

Description

The fragrant flowers of magnolia are very beautiful and expressive. They have the shape of a glass with a pineal-shaped pestle inside. By color, they can be very diverse: pink, white, orange-golden, raspberry. Depending on the variety, the height of the plant can range from one to twenty meters. Magnolia propagates by seeds, layering and cuttings. Some varieties common in Asia Minor and the Caucasus are frost-resistant.

Care

Magnolia flowers need careful care the first few years after planting. Then the plant simply needs to be periodically fertilized and regularly watered. In no case should you dig around the trunk of the soil and do not plant nearby other decorative crops. Abundant watering is what magnolia loves. It is enough to mulch a domestic flower once a year in spring with compost or peat and from time to time remove dried branches. At the age of 6-8 years, a plant grown in a pot can be transplanted to a permanent place. Spring and autumn are the most favorable periods for these purposes. Heat, moisture, light - this is what magnolia loves. The flower at home is recommended to be grown from varieties such as Hasse, Little Gem, Bracken's Brown Beauty, Magnolia soulangiana. For planting, it is best to use leafy, soddy soil, sand and humus. The plant loves moist air, so frequent spraying is recommended.

Breeding

It is possible to sow the seeds of a plant taken in autumn from a tree both in ordinary seedling boxes and in open ground. In this case, it is necessary to sprinkle the seeds with leaves. As a rule, magnolia seeds are covered with a red oily membrane, which must be removed before planting. It should be borne in mind that the plant does not tolerate calcareous soil. The soil for planting will have to be quite fertile, with the addition of peat. It is very important to ensure that the seeds do not dry out, they must always be in a humid environment. In the first year, the plant develops very slowly.

In order not to damage the young roots located in the upper soil layer, the earth near the seedling is not loosened. By the end of the first year, magnolia should be fed with compost or peat, evenly distributing it in the region of the trunk circle. If the plant is in the open air, at the first frost it should be brought into the house or covered with a so-called cap (on arcs). In the second year, magnolia flowers should be dived into individual containers or beds. It is best if the plant spends the winter on the insulated balcony. In the spring, a tree that has reached 1.5 meters in height can be planted in a permanent place. In the future, it is necessary to periodically cut off the dead branches, water it abundantly, mulch peat once a year and remove thickening inside the crown.