Tree propagation is a fascinating and rewarding activity. Today, we will look at the easiest way to propagate a magnolia.
When to take cuttings?
The best time to take cuttings from a magnolia is early spring. Give preference to humid, cloudy weather with rain on the eve. This will allow the cuttings to have plenty of water in their tissues.
Take cuttings when all preparations are complete. You must fill the pots with soil and prepare all the tools. You have to place the cuttings quickly in the soil and not let them lose any moisture.
How to take cuttings?
The day before you take the cuttings, water the magnolia well to store as much water as possible. But you should only water if it hasn’t rained for a few days beforehand.
Use sharp pruning shears to take cuttings. Disinfect them with alcohol beforehand. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long.
Remove the leaves only from the lower part of the cutting.
How to root?
First, get pots that are at least 10 inches wide and deep. You need a separate pot for each cutting to avoid replanting in the rooting year. The pots should have at least four drainage holes.
Fill the pots with sterile potting soil. Use only good quality potting soil free of pathogens. The potting soil should be slightly moist before you put the cuttings in. Use a thin stick to make one hole in the soil in each pot.
Dip the bottom of the cutting into rooting powder or gel. The rooting gel works best because it does not wash off with water and prevents the tissues from dying off.
Insert the cutting into the pot to a depth of at least 2 inches. Then lightly compact the soil around the cutting with your fingers. Water the soil to make it wet. The excess water should come out through the holes in the bottom of the pot.
Place the pot with the cutting in a greenhouse or cover it with a transparent dome. Keep the cutting in the shade for the entire rooting period.
How long do magnolia cuttings take to root?
Magnolia cuttings will take 6 to 10 weeks to take root. The speed of rooting will depend on how big the cuttings are and how vigorous the mother plant is.
All this time you need to keep a close eye on the cuttings. Keep the soil in the pots slightly moist but not wet.
Ventilate the cuttings every day. If they are in the greenhouse, open the door or window for about half an hour. If cuttings are under a dome, remove it for the same amount of time each day.
Read more: How To Properly Grow Magnolias?
Can you root magnolia cuttings in water?
You can root magnolia cuttings in water. However, this method is less successful than if you use soil.
Take the cuttings in the same way as described above. Next, fill a glass container with distilled water and place the cuttings there.
Put the container in a shady place. Change the water once a week or more often. This is to keep the cuttings from getting moldy.
Read also: Propagation methods of the Magnolia
Share This Post
