Magnolia ∗ The 10 best care tips and cut correctly

Planting magnolia properly

The optimal time window for planting is open from April to May. A second possibility is in early autumn. Follow these steps:

The planting pit is 50-60 cm deep and 100 cm in diameter
Fill a 70 liter sack of rhododendron soil into the hole, add the excavated material and mix everything well
Place the potted magnolia tree in the middle of the substrate and press the soil into place
Drive the support post into the planting hole and connect it to the main shoot on the bush or trunk

Care tips

If the light and temperature conditions as well as the soil conditions at the location are correct, maintenance is kept within manageable limits. How to care for the magnolia tree with expertise:

Water the shallow roots when it is dry
Give a high quality slow release fertilizer during the main flowering period
Alternatively, fertilize every 4 weeks from April to July with compost and horn shavings (€ 6.39 at Amazon *)
Repeatedly mulch with bark or pine bark

Which location is suitable?

The magnolia tree favors a predominantly sunny location. As long as the solar balance is available and the shrub is not in a drafty wind tunnel, the location is well chosen.

What soil does the plant need?

Three attributes define the ideal composition of the earth for the ornamental wood: humic, deep and a little acidic. A pH value of 5.5 to 6.8 gives both the magnolia tree and the shrub optimal nutrient availability.

When is the flowering time?

The heavenly beautiful flowering time of a magnolia extends from April to May. In addition, newer cultivars are capable of re-flowering in late summer, such as the exceptional varieties Cleopatra and Susan. The summer magnolia dresses in its flower dress from June to July, while evergreen varieties bloom from July to September.

Cut magnolia properly

The pruning of a magnolia tree is only possible in exceptional cases. The flowering shrub develops its shapely silhouette without horticultural influence, especially since cuts are difficult to heal. In addition, the ornamental wood usually hardly sprouts from its perennial wood. So limit yourself to thinning out after flowering.

Fertilize magnolia properly

A magnolia tree is ideally fertilized when its magnificent bloom is at its zenith. A granulated slow release fertilizer is recommended. Alternatively, you can apply compost at a dosage of 1 liter per square meter, plus a handful of horn shavings (€ 6.39 on Amazon *) every 4 weeks. Do not miss subsequent watering!

Diseases

A magnolia tree is rarely affected by disease. If there are health problems, they are caused by leaf spot disease or powdery mildew.

Pests

If voracious pests attack a magnolia tree or a magnolia bush, they are usually aphids, scale insects or whiteflies.

This is how the plant gets through the winter

In order for a magnolia tree to get through the winter well, we recommend these precautions:

Pile up the tree grate with leaves, straw and bark mulch
Wrap a magnolia tree up to 150 cm high with tree fleece
Wrap a shrub with jute ribbons or garden fleece

You can also protect a root ball in the bucket from freezing through as a result of frosty temperatures with bubble wrap.

Propagate magnolia

Suitable methods of propagation are: sinkers, cuttings, grafting and mosses. Due to the necessary stratification and the eternally long germination time, sowing is by far the most complex form of breeding.

Magnolia in the pot

In order for a magnolia tree to thrive in the bucket, it should have a volume of at least 30 liters. Use high-quality potted peat-based potting soil as the substrate. Drainage at the bottom of the pot is essential to prevent waterlogging.

Is magnolia poisonous?

The magnolia tree is classified as slightly poisonous. The alkaloid magnoflorin is found in its bark, wood and fruit. Consumption of the bad tasting fruits is also not recommended.

Magnolia does not bloom

If the aristocratic magnolia tree refuses to flower, it does not feel well. In the first step, check that the pH is in the ideal range of 5.5 to 6.8. Only in acidic soil is there optimal nutrient availability, without which neither growth nor flowering is possible.

Brown leaves

Brown leaves on the magnolia tree indicate this symptom of a fungal infection, a lack of water or a soil that is too calcareous. If the brown leaves were preceded by a white coating or yellow spots, the magnolia tree is sick. If the pH exceeds 6.8, the roots cannot absorb enough nutrients.

Yellow leaves

Yellow leaves on a magnolia tree or shrub indicate a lack of nutrients. Such leaf chlorosis occurs when the soil is too calcareous. If the pH value is right, check the nutrient supply and apply a special fertilizer against chlorosis, such as Neudorff Ferramin iron fertilizer.

The most important types of magnolia

Kobushi magnolia: the most beautiful magnolia tree in the local regions with white star blossoms from March
Genie: a shrub of the extra class among the tulip magnolias, which unfolds red-purple flowers in April and May
Chrysanthemumiflora: dreamlike flowering shrub that gives off a bewitching scent
Daybreak: Magnolia tree impresses with its columnar growth, bright pink flowers and a unique fragrance
Galissoniere: an evergreen shrub with huge white flowers that draws everyone's attention from April to June
Merrill: the graceful large shrub dresses in a white flower dress in April and May and smells wonderful
Yellow Bird: a yellow flowering magnolia tree that is extremely hardy

The best soil for the magnolia

Opulent magnolia blossoms and the best soil conditions go hand in hand. Only plant a magnolia tree or shrub if the soil is well-drained, humic, loose and, above all, slightly acidic.

Pull the magnolia yourself

To experience the development of a magnolia from scratch, you can easily grow the ornamental wood yourself. The following methods can be considered: sowing, cuttings, grafting, lowering and mossing.

Growing magnolia

The horticultural experiment of your own magnolia cultivation is possible in different ways. The refinement combines a sturdy game base with a noble variety, sowing seeds you have collected yourself brings some surprises to light, while growing from cuttings is very simple.

Planting magnolia

In order for a magnolia tree to grow quickly after planting, a sufficiently large planting hole is crucial. A diameter of at least 100 centimeters and a depth of 50-60 centimeters create the best conditions.

Underplant the magnolia

A magnolia tree feels at home where its crown is sunny and its foot is shady. With these sub-plants you can fulfill this wish of the flowering shrub: March breakers, snowdrops, grape hyacinths and building asterisk.

Transplant the magnolia

There are two dates to choose from if you want to transplant a magnolia tree: in autumn after the leaves have fallen or in spring when the ground has thawed.

Cutting magnolia in autumn

If you cut back a magnolia tree in autumn, you will most likely rob the ornamental wood of its next flowering. Since the buds are always created in the previous year, pruning - if at all - is only considered after flowering.

The magnolia is losing leaves

If a magnolia loses its leaves in the middle of the growing season, it signals discomfort in this way. These causes can be hidden behind it:

dryness
Fungal infections, such as powdery mildew
Unsuitable location

When fungi attack the magnolia

In the event of a fungal attack, immediate action is required to keep the effects at bay. Cut off any infected leaves, flowers, and shoots. Then treat the magnolia tree or shrub with a fungicide that is approved for home and allotment gardens.

Powdery mildew: a threat to magnolia?

If a white-gray patina develops on the lush green foliage, the magnolia tree is attacked by powdery mildew. Either a commercially available fungicide or repeated treatment with a mixture of 100 ml fresh milk and 900 ml water is recommended for control.

The magnolia in winter

Regardless of its winter hardiness, the magnolia tree is at risk of considerable damage when frosty temperatures and intense winter sun hit its trunk. Cracks in the bark develop, which can cause serious infections. Therefore, wrap the shrub or tree trunk in tree fleece up to a height of 150 centimeters in autumn.

The magnolia and its winter hardiness

A deciduous magnolia tree is largely hardy from the second year onwards. If, on the other hand, you prefer an evergreen magnolia bush, this species can only survive the cold season in regions with mild winter or in frost-free, bright quarters.

A personal description

The profile reveals at a glance why the magnolia has enjoyed worldwide popularity for centuries:

Plant family of the magnolia family with more than 240 species
Deciduous or evergreen ornamental wood
Heights of growth from 100 centimeters to 20 meters
Perennial and hardy
Flowering time from March / April to May / June or in July / August
Flower diameter of up to 20 centimeters
Flower color predominantly white, pink, purple and yellow

The magnolia root

The magnolia tree is one of the shallow roots. Therefore, during maintenance work, make sure that the rake does not damage the roots just below the surface of the earth.

The buds of the magnolia

The magnolia always sets its buds in the previous year. If you consider pruning, it should take place after flowering.

The blossom of the magnolia

You don't have to settle for a single flowering period. Newer breeds perform the miracle of a lush summer bloom, like Magnolia siboldii. In addition, an evergreen magnolia bush delights us with its blossoming from July to September.

The bewitching scent of magnolia blossoms

The intense scent of a magnolia blossom inspires the creators to create new perfumes. Above all, the creamy, sweet scent of tulip magnolias or a magnolia tree with a hint of lemon delights spoiled noses.

Does the magnolia bloom in August?

Don't be surprised if your magnolia tree blooms in August. Newer varieties have mastered the art of summer re-blooming, such as the tulip magnolia or the purple magnolia. The magnolia tree Magnolia Sieboldii has even been specifically bred for a summer bloom.

The fruit of the magnolia

After the splendid bloom, small green fruits develop on the magnolia tree and the flowering bush. In the course of the summer, these aggregate fruits turn reddish, burst and distribute the seeds in the vicinity.

Is Magnolia Fruit Edible?

The cone-shaped collective fruits appearing in late summer are reddish brown in color and up to 10 centimeters long. Apart from the fact that they taste unpleasantly bitter, they also contain the poisonous alkaloid magnoflorin. Consumption causes nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of intoxication.

Magnolia seeds

The cylindrical collective fruits are typical of the magnolia tree. These contain individual follicles with red-brown seeds. These seeds are encased in a fleshy shell to encourage animals to eat them.

The leaves of the magnolia

If a magnolia tree suffers from a lack of nutrients, it simply throws off the leaves. Therefore, fertilize regularly with compost and horn shavings when flowering begins. Alternatively, a granulated long-term fertilizer for bog plants covers the need for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and minerals.

Magnolia offshoots

Early summer is the ideal time to use cuttings to propagate a deciduous magnolia tree. To do this, cut half-lignified cuttings with a length of 15-20 centimeters. On the magnolia bush, breeding is particularly easy with lowering.

The size of the magnolia

One of the elementary factors in a purchase decision is the expected size of a magnolia, because there are clear differences here. The classic magnolia tree easily reaches 10 meters and more in our regions, while small star magnolias grow up to a size of 100-200 centimeters.

The growth of the magnolia

The species determines the growth of a magnolia. While the mighty magnolia tree Magnolia kobus is content with an annual increase of 20-30 centimeters, the large-flowered magnolia shrub Merill gives significantly more gas in growth with an annual increase of up to 50 centimeters.

The height of the magnolia

The magnolia has specimens in the right height for almost every cultivation variant. The options range from the imposing Kobushi magnolia with a height of more than 10 meters to the distinctive small bush Alex, Susan or Wildcat with a height of 100 to 200 centimeters.

The magnolia as a bush

If you are looking for the most beautiful magnolia bush, you will find it with a star magnolia. Both the species and all of its varieties thrive as a dense shrub and bloom from April to May.

The magnolia as a hedge

In order to cultivate the magnolia as a hedge, species and varieties that thrive as a large shrub, such as the tulip magnolia, move into the center of attention. If you choose an evergreen wood like Fariy Magnolia, you also create privacy screens all year round.

The magnolia as a standard trunk

Almost every magnolia tree is predestined to become a standard trunk. The same applies to the magnolia bush, which can be raised as a standard trunk for the small garden.

The small magnolia

If you are on the lookout for a small magnolia, it is primarily the noble hybrids. In addition, the star magnolia proves to be comparatively small in growth with a height of 100-150 centimeters.

The magnolia as a bonsai

The lavishly blooming star magnolia is ideally suited for bonsai. Almost all styles come into consideration, from the free, upright shape to multiple stems.

The magnolia as a houseplant

An evergreen magnolia bush or the dainty star magnolia have what it takes to be a houseplant. In this case, the focus is on a sunny location, because otherwise the ornamental wood will develop unsightly horny shoots within a short time.

The magnolia in the garden

For a magnolia tree to give its best in the garden, the location is crucial. The most important aspects are:

Sunny to partially shaded location
Protected from violent winds
Humic, deep soil without waterlogging
A pH of 5.5 to 6.8

The magnolia on the balcony

In order to transform the balcony into a spring-like sea of flowers, the large magnolia family is waiting for you with small species and varieties. With 100-300 centimeters, star magnolias remain graceful enough to thrive in the tub.