Content
Often gardeners associate magnolia exclusively with a tropical (or at least subtropical) climate. In fact, such a bias about the climatic zones of growing this plant is a delusion. There are more than a dozen varieties of magnolia that can tolerate wintering relatively easily in temperate and even temperate continental climates. Today magnolia in the Moscow region has become as commonplace as honeysuckle, fir, thuja or the same peaches. The article discusses the cultivation of magnolia in the suburbs, describes the features of planting and caring for the plant, shows its photo.
Does magnolia grow in the suburbs
There are no reasons why magnolia could not grow in the Moscow region, except for the relatively harsh winters for this plant species. Other features of the climate: humidity, duration of the warm season, wind direction, etc., do not have a particular effect on the life cycle of a magnolia and are not an obstacle to its cultivation.
According to gardeners' reviews, magnolia specimens growing in the Moscow region are no different from their subtropical counterparts. Neither the growth, nor the flowering time of the plants, nor its intensity decrease in comparison with the "southern" cultivation.
Some features of adaptation of young plants and plants that have undergone transportation and transplantation to new climatic conditions are noted. These features consist in the fact that the first 2-3 years, the flowering time and its intensity are significantly less than they should be in magnolias growing in their homeland.
In addition, plants, even those with high frost resistance, can significantly suffer from frosts in the first years of their life in a cold climate and can hardly tolerate frosts even less than those declared for the variety.
However, already in the 4th year of life, the plant comes into a form characteristic of "cold" cultivation - the flowering period stabilizes, the bark of the plant and its wood thicken, and it turns out to be fully adapted to the new living conditions.
With proper adherence to plant agrotechnics, there are practically no cases of death of magnolias from hypothermia in winter.
Magnolia varieties for the Moscow region
The main criterion for choosing a variety of magnolia for growing it in the Middle Lane is the frost resistance of the plant. In order to get a guaranteed plant that can withstand the winter near Moscow, you should turn your attention to varieties that have a frost resistance class from 3 to 5. Such plants are able to withstand negative temperatures from -40 ° C to -29 ° C.
Other varietal qualities do not play a special role, since the climate of the Moscow region as a whole is capable of providing normal vegetation and flowering for the plant. Most magnolias have a flowering period of less than 1 month and begin in late spring. The climate of the Middle zone is sufficient to provide the required number of warm days.
The following are the most suitable frost-resistant magnolia varieties that can be recommended for growing in the Moscow region.
Cobus
It is considered the most unpretentious variety, with the cultivation of which one should begin "acquaintance" with magnolias in the Moscow region. The variety can grow in the 3rd zone of frost resistance, that is, it can withstand temperatures up to -40 ° C.
This is one of the tallest crops of this kind that can be found in Russia. The height of mature trees, even in the Moscow region, reaches 12 m. The flowers of the cobus are relatively small - their diameter ranges from 8 to 10 cm. A photo of the tree and magnolia flowers of the cobus is given below.
Magnolia Lebner
A plant that is a hybrid of cobus and star magnolia. Similarly, one of its parents can withstand temperatures up to -40 ° C. Differs in annual stability of flowering (flowering begins in May, duration - up to 25 days).
The plant has white flowers with long and thin petals. The diameter of the flowers is up to 12 cm. Flowering occurs even before the leaves appear on the plant.
Magnolia wilson
A tree up to 10 m high, having a relatively dense crown with a diameter of 3-4 m. It has long and narrow leaves (up to 18 cm long, 3-5 cm wide) and brownish-red bark. The frost resistance of the plant is sufficient for the middle zone - "Wilson" can withstand frosts down to -35 ° C.
The flowers are white, with 9 to 15 petals, the diameter of the flower is up to 12 cm. A distinctive feature of this variety is the original arrangement of the central part of the flower. In addition, the flowers are always inclined towards the soil, and they can only be viewed from below.
Flowering begins in the first decade of June.
Magnolia Siebold
Deciduous shrub with funnel-shaped crown. Plant height can reach 6 m. It has elliptical leaves up to 15 cm long, pointed at the end. The color of the leaves is green-blue, changing to bright yellow in autumn.
The flowers are medium in size, 7 to 10 cm in diameter. They have white-yellow petals and characteristic red stamens. The smell of the flower is pleasant, spreading over a long distance.
The plant belongs to the 5th zone of frost resistance and is able to withstand temperatures up to -30 ° C. Nevertheless, it may suffer from late frosts, therefore, it is advisable to cover the shoots of young shrubs 1-2 weeks before the buds open. Flowering occurs in late June or early July and lasts up to 3 weeks.
Magnolia Ash
A large shrub, in some cases a tree, up to 8 m high. Usually, the "arboreal" form occurs in plants that received sufficient care and nutrition during the first years of life. Has a dark gray bark, young shoots are green with pubescence.
The plant is very decorative. The shape of the leaves is very specific and is one of the characteristic features of the variety. The leaves are very large (70 cm long and about 30 cm wide), ovoid with two lobes and a wavy edge. They are located on petioles up to 10 cm long. Flowers can be very large (more than 20 cm in diameter), white.
Flowering lasts about three weeks and begins at the end of May. The frost resistance of the plant is - 25 ° C, it takes root well in the middle lane, however, in severe winters, the shoots need shelter.
Planting and caring for magnolia in the suburbs
Planting magnolias in the Moscow region does not contain any specific features and, in general, is very similar to the process of subsidence of apple or pear trees.
On the other hand, young plants are often subject to burns on the sun. Thus, the best option for the plant to stay in the garden is partial shade.
When to plant magnolia in the suburbs
Planting can be carried out almost the entire warm season - from mid-March to the end of September. The plant does not have any special restrictions or recommendations on planting time.
This is primarily due to the fact that magnolias in the Moscow region in the form of seedlings are always supplied in pots or containers, therefore, the root system practically does not receive injuries during transplantation.
Site selection and soil preparation
It is best to provide the plant with partial shade by planting it in the shade of a large coniferous tree. If there is no one nearby, you can use the shade of a large ash or poplar tree. As a last resort, you can use nearby buildings. But at the same time, the magnolia should be positioned in such a way that it would be exposed to sunlight for at least 4-6 hours.
Planting is best done in light to moderately damp soil.
Recommended soil composition:
- garden land - 2 parts;
- peat - 1 part;
- humus or compost - 1 part.
Planting magnolia in the suburbs
In order to plant a tree, it is recommended to dig a hole three times the volume of a clod of earth that comes with the seedling.
It is recommended to put a layer of rotted manure with a height of 5 cm at the bottom of the pit. Next, the pit is covered with previously prepared soil and a lump with roots is placed on it.
After installing the seedling in the hole, it is filled up, the topsoil is compacted and moderately watered.
How to grow a magnolia in the suburbs
Caring for magnolia is quite simple: it includes watering and feeding, as well as sanitary pruning of the plant.
Watering
Watering will be carried out every 2-3 days in a volume of 20 liters under one bush or tree.
Top dressing
The first feeding of the plant is carried out 2 years after planting. Further feeding is carried out twice a year: at the beginning of spring and in the middle of summer.
The composition of the feeding mixture is as follows: 15 g of carbamide, 20 g of ammonium nitrate and 1 kg of mullein are dissolved in 10 liters of water.
Pruning
Caring for magnolia when growing it in the Moscow region does not imply formative pruning of the plant. Both trees and shrubs of magnolia should be subjected to only sanitary pruning - the removal of dried, damaged or frostbitten shoots.
Shelter of magnolia for the winter in the suburbs
Magnolia of the above varieties winters without problems in the Moscow region, however, it is recommended for young plants in their first 2-3 years of life to use various shelters made of plastic film or agrofibre.
In this case, it is not even necessary to even wrap the plant completely, you can limit yourself only to covering the roots and trunk up to the 2nd tier of branching shoots.
Pests and diseases
Gardeners with experience in growing magnolia in the Moscow region note that this plant has fantastic immunity and resistance to disease. Practically no cases of plant disease with both fungal and viral diseases have been recorded. Cases of yellowing or blackening of the leaves and shoots of magnolia were caused by heat burns of the plant (which can happen even in the Moscow region) or its overly active and uncontrolled feeding.
The situation with pests is not so happy, since both the leaves and the roots of the exotic plant call out a very active interest in the fauna of the Moscow region. First of all, rodents (from mice to hares) should be noted, which like to nibble on the root collar of a plant. Plus, moles are never averse to eating delicious magnolia roots.
The fight against these pests has an exclusively "mechanical" character: plants must be fenced off from the access of large rodents, and traps must be set on small ones. Fighting moles on the site is generally a separate topic, which it is not possible to cover within the framework of this article. In any case, the roots and trunk of the plant damaged by rodents need to be treated with a solution of foundationol with a concentration of 1%.
Of the arthropods, a special threat to magnolia in the Moscow region is the spider mite, the appearance of which is shown in the photo below.
The peak of tick activity occurs during the dry period, while the pest hides under the lower part of the leaves. It sucks the juices out of the plant, leading to the death of large enough fragments of magnolia.
The best remedy against spider mites are special preparations used to combat ticks - acaricides, for example, Bicol, Flumite, Apollo. Acaricides are highly toxic drugs, which is why some gardeners do not recommend their use on magnolia. A compromise option is specialized means - insectoacaricides, which are also effective against ticks, but less toxic to flora and humans (Akarin, Karate, Aktofit).
Conclusion
Magnolia in the suburbs is not at all a fantasy, but a very real situation. The main, or rather the only problem when growing magnolia in the Moscow region is the plant's frost resistance. If magnolia can survive the winter, then no other problems caused by both climatic and geographical features of the Middle Lane will be an obstacle to its cultivation.
