Watering magnolia

• Magnolia Origin
• Magnolia care and location
• Pruning magnolia
• Fertilizing magnolia
• Watering magnolia

Magnolia Origin

Magnolias (Magnolia) are a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Magnoliaaceae. There are between 210 and 300 species, all native to North and Central America or East Asia. They reach heights of 2 to 20 meters and can live for several hundred years. It is believed that magnolias have existed for 100 million years.
To this day, they are pollinated by pollen-eating beetles. 

The French botanist Plumier discovered it in Martinique in the 18th century and named it after his botanist colleague Pierre Magnol. Buddhist monks have been cultivating it for temple gardens since the 7th century. 

Magnolia blossoms appear before the leaves emerge in March or April, in shades of white, pink, or red, and with an intense fragrance. However, there are also later-blooming varieties, such as the summer magnolia, which begins to flower in June. 
Most varieties have very large, strong green leaves that are arranged alternately and are obovate to broadly oval. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow and are shed.
The so-called follicles look like pine cones and open when ripe to release the seeds. They are not recommended for consumption, as the fruits are considered poisonous to humans.

Magnolia care and location

Magnolias like a sunny to partially shaded location with moist, humus- and nutrient-rich and slightly acidic or neutral soil. The best time to plant them is in spring.

Pruning magnolia

Regular pruning is not necessary. They are rarely pruned and it is best to let magnolias grow undisturbed. Only in exceptional cases, when branches grow out of shape or are in the way underneath, are they removed.

Fertilizing magnolia

To fertilization Mature compost, well-rotted horse manure, and horn shavings are all suitable fertilizers for magnolias. These are applied to the root area in spring and lightly worked into the soil. Bacterial leaf spot is rare in magnolias. Otherwise, they are largely resistant to plant diseases and pests.

Watering magnolia

Due to climate change, it is getting hotter in our regions and longer dry periods are the result. This has an impact on the environment and especially on the trees. The increasing dryness and rising temperatures lead to stress in trees. Depending on the location and the climate situation, more frequent watering may be necessary than in previous years.
Newly planted trees need time to establish roots and require plenty of water, but even mature trees should have consistently moist soil. Signs of drought stress include drooping leaves, weak young branches, and leaves that are discolored or drying out. At this point, it's definitely time to water the tree.

The water requirement of a magnolia depends on several factors such as the length of the dry period and the condition of the tree. As a general rule, young trees require 75 to 100 liters and older trees 150 to 200 liters per watering. 
Magnolias are shallow-rooted plants with many small roots near the surface. When watering them conventionally with a hose, a large amount of water hits the soil all at once, and there is a risk that the soil will not be able to absorb some of it. 

Our tree bath water bags Watering is more efficient and even saves water. Drip irrigation continuously releases water into the soil, allowing the shallow roots to absorb it more effectively. Attaching and filling the water bags is quick and easy. The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and zipped closed. Next, fill the bag with enough water so that, after adjusting the bottom, no wrinkles are visible, and then allow it to fill completely. One watering bag provides young trees with sufficient water. 

In order to water larger trees sufficiently during very dry periods, it is possible to connect two or more watering bags together. A mulch layer of bark compost in the root area is helpful in keeping the moisture in the soil.