Magnolia SOULANGEANA

Magnolia SOULANGIANA - Saucer magnolia, Soulange-Bodin magnolia, Hybrid magnolia.

The flowering plant magnolia is a member of the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). This genus unites more than 200 species.

The bark is smooth grayish-ash or brown, and can be scaly or furrowed. The height of such a plant can vary from 5 to 20 m (16-65 ft). On the surface of its stems, large scars from leaf blades are clearly distinguishable, as well as narrow ring-shaped scars from stipules. Buds are relatively large. Large, leathery, entire leaf blades of greenish-emerald color have slight pubescence on the underside, as well as, as a rule, an elliptic or obovate shape.

Fragrant, solitary, bisexual flowers can be axillary or terminal; their diameter is about 6-35 cm (2.4-14 in), and their color can be cream, red, purple, white, pink, or lilac. The flower comprises 6 to 12 waxy elongated petals that overlap imbricately. Such petals are arranged in 1 or more whorls. As a rule, magnolia blooms at the very beginning of the spring period, but there are species blooming in the first weeks of summer.

The fruit is an aggregate follicle of cone-like shape, consisting of a large number of two- or one-seeded follicles. The black seeds have a triangular shape and a red or pink fleshy aril. When the follicles open, the seeds hang suspended on seed threads.

Magnolia soulangeana grows as a small tree up to several meters in height. It can be used as a garden plant and as a potted crop. It belongs to frost-resistant magnolia species and tolerates temperature drops down to -15 to -20 °C (5 to -4 °F). For winter, the lower part of the trunk and the root system are insulated with straw and spruce boughs, which is especially relevant for young trees. In gardens of the middle zone, it blooms very profusely from April to July. The flowers are white, pink, or purple, large, cup-shaped, and very fragrant.

Seeds require stratification at a temperature of 3-7 °C (37-45 °F). For this, the seeds are sown in a slightly acidic, slightly moist mixture and the container with seeds is placed in the lower compartment of a refrigerator for 1-3 months. After this period, the container is moved to a warm bright place, watered generously, and germinated under film for 1-5 months.

Important! If there are pieces of berry pulp on the seeds, they must be cleaned off.

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It tolerates short-term temperature drops down to -20 °C (-4 °F). In its native range, it does not form pure stands, growing alongside tulip trees, hickories, oaks, and other trees. Watering during hot periods should be without letting the root ball dry out. Maintenance temperature is 21-26 °C (70-79 °F). Ambient humidity should be high. In late autumn and early winter, a dormant period must be provided (cool and dry). At this time, watering is significantly reduced, the plant is kept at a temperature not exceeding 18 °C (64 °F), and feeding is withheld. It prefers moist, fertile, lime-free, loamy, well-drained soils, and cannot tolerate prolonged waterlogging.

It propagates by seeds, cuttings, and grafting. Cuttings root quite slowly and require the use of rooting stimulants.