Do you have a star magnolia in your garden and can't get enough of it? Now are you striving to grow more specimens? The following methods can be used to multiply this growth.
Propagation by sinkers
The simplest propagation method for the star magnolia, which involves the least effort, is propagation using sinkers. This method should be done in the fall. It can be implemented provided that at least one shoot of the plant overhangs the ground.
That's how it's done:
- choose a semi-lignified shoot
- Loosen the soil underneath and dig a furrow 15 cm deep
- Enrich soil with compost
- Slightly score and defoliate the shoots with a knife
- Pull the shoot down to the ground, place it in the furrow and pile it up with soil (weigh it down with a stone if necessary)
- Shoot tip should stick out
- water vigorously
- Separate the shoot from the mother plant as soon as it is rooted (recognizable by new buds)
Propagation by cuttings
Another method that has proven itself and requires little time is the propagation of cuttings. The downside is that star magnolia cuttings root slowly… The propagation method can be done by pruning star magnolia in the fall or spring. Successful rooting of the cuttings results in pure daughter plants.
Select an unbranched shoot. Remove the leaves and lightly cut the lower half of the shoot (encourage root formation). Now the shoot comes into a pot with potting soil and is kept moist for the coming time. It should be frost-free for the first winter. In spring it can be planted outside.
Propagation by seed
If you want to gain new varieties, you should propagate the star magnolia through its seeds. The seeds are frost and cold germs and germinate unreliably. The germination time for some of them can be up to three years! Another disadvantage is that the plants obtained flower for the first time after an average of 10 years.
How to proceed:
- remove red seed coat from fresh seeds
- Stratify in the fridge over the winter
- in spring, soak seeds in water for 2 days
- Sow seeds in potting soil
- germinate at 20 °C
- transplant when there is no frost
tips and tricks
Do not leave star magnolia seeds in the dry for too long. As a result, they lose their ability to germinate.