After flowering, the magnolia develops pod-like, brown or red fruits that, when ripe, resemble a pine cone. As soon as the pods open, the seeds are ripe and can be removed for propagation. In addition, the magnolia fruits can be used wonderfully as an autumnal decoration. However, they are not edible.
Botanical characteristics of the magnolia fruit
Magnolia fruits represent a very early, fascinating stage of evolution. These are so-called follicles, which are also known as opening or stray fruits. They owe this name to their ability to open up when ripe and reveal the seeds, much like a pine cone. The fruits are surrounded by a fleshy, reddish pericarp, and the ripe seeds are also red. Thus, magnolia fruits represent another wonderful splash of color in autumnal nature. The seeds are not unlike flat chestnuts and remain connected to the pericarp with a connecting thread.
Magnolia fruits are not edible
The fruits of the magnolia are considered poisonous to humans and are therefore not edible. However, their seeds are used by many birds as food, although the acceptance among local wild birds is probably rather low. The magnolia is an exotic tree and is therefore unlikely to be recognized as a possible feeder. In other parts of the world, on the other hand, the magnolia is mainly spread by birds.
Grow new magnolias from seeds
You can grow new magnolias yourself from the ripe seeds of the magnolia, but this requires a good deal of patience. Magnolias are cold germs, i. H. the seeds cannot be planted immediately. First of all, they have to be stratified in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator for a few months, packed airtight in moist sand. To keep the seeds germinating for as long as possible, first place them in lukewarm water after removing them from the fruit. Then carefully remove the red pulp so that only the black seeds remain. After stratification, you can plant the cores:
- Fill some loose, peaty substrate in clay flower pots.
- Put the seeds in there and cover them with soil.
- The layer of soil should be about as high as the core of the seed itself.
- Water the soil and keep it well moist.
Now it's time to wait, because the germination time of the young magnolia plants differs greatly from each other. Some germinate very quickly, while others take several months. However, the germination rate of magnolia seeds is generally very poor.
tips and tricks
It is much easier and also more promising to propagate magnolias using sinkers or mosses.