Magnolia trees have lovely flowers and decadent, glossy foliage; once you have one tree, you’ll likely want more. Propagation makes it easy to create more Magnolia trees to enhance a landscape or to surprise friends, family, and neighbors.
Several methods can be used to propagate Magnolia trees, including growing from seed, air layering, and cuttings. Each method has pros and cons, and cuttings are generally the easiest technique for home gardeners. The entire process of propagating Magnolias takes about four to six weeks.
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Methods To Propagate Magnolia Tree
Cuttings are often the easiest propagation method, and this technique is suitable for beginners or inexperienced gardeners. Cuttings of new growth or offshoots are taken, and it works best when the cuttings are young and still considered softwood. Cuttings are mostly reliable, but it is best to take several cuttings simultaneously to increase the odds of at least one transitioning into a viable tree.
Air layering is essentially rooting a branch still attached to the tree. The branch is wounded and wrapped with moist growing medium until roots form. This technique, while similar to softwood cuttings, is a better fit for a gardener with experience with air layering to get the wrapping right.
Magnolia trees can be grown from seeds. Harvest seeds from the seed pods in September or March and start growing indoors during the winter. Growing trees from seeds can be effective, but it often takes a long time until the trees are ready to be grown outdoors.
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What You Need To Propagate Magnolia Tree
You need sharp pruning shears to take cuttings. Softwood Magnolia cuttings root best in a well-drained medium. Sand can be effective, but the cuttings should be transferred to a well-drained potting mix once the roots develop. Rooting hormone is not required, but it increases the odds of the cutting forming roots. Use a container that can accommodate a couple of cuttings and has drainage holes. Tent the container with clear plastic to create a mini greenhouse.
Air layering requires sharp pruning shears or a knife, rooting hormone, sphagnum moss, and twine to secure the moss to the tree. Magnolia seeds can be germinated in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Remove the outer seed coat and keep the planted seeds in a warm, sunny spot.
Best Time To Propagate Magnolia Tree
Cuttings can be taken from a Magnolia tree at any time during the growing season. Avoid trimming the tree when it is dormant, which can cause sap to bleed and stress the tree. Cuttings taken in the spring may be ready to be planted by the fall, depending on the cultivar and the climate, so plan accordingly. Otherwise, nurture the cuttings throughout the winter and plant them outdoors in the spring.
Steps To Propagate Magnolia Tree
Step 1 - Select softwood stems measuring 6 to 8 inches long. Use clean, sharp shears to remove the outer section.
Step 2 - Remove lower leaves from cuttings.
Step 3 - Fill a container with a rich, moist, well-drained potting mix. Use a container with drainage holes.
Step 4 - While not necessary, you can apply rooting hormone to the cut end. Place the cut end of the branch in the soil.
Step 5 - Keep the soil damp and remove excess water from the saucer or cover pot.
Step 6 - Tent the container with clear plastic and place it in bright, indirect sunlight.
Step 7 - Roots grow in 6 to 8 weeks. When the roots grow through the holes in the container, transplant the cutting to a larger container or a suitable outdoor growing location.
Caring For Young Magnolia Tree Cuttings
Magnolia cuttings need damp, humid conditions and bright indirect sunlight. Keep the cutting in a warm area and water when the soil surface is dry. Roots should emerge in 6 to 8 weeks. When the roots start to emerge from the holes in the propagation container, upgrade the young plants to their own pots.