Magnolia kobus var borealis |
Native Region: Northern Japan
Zone Range: 3-8
Preferred Climate: Full/semi sun; well draining soil. Likes slopes.
Harvest Date: Tuesday 29 September, 2009
Seed count: 10-12
Description:
This subspecies of Magnolia kobus is the hardiest of all magnolias. Just as beautiful as M. kobus but the tree form is quite a bit larger and has a spreading form (12 metres tall and just as wide in 50 years). White slightly fragrant white blooms open mid April.
Notes:
Extremely limited seed. The flowers and seed from this subspecies are some what smaller than M. kobus, but the seed is significantly smaller but this doesn't hinder germination one little bit. Never lime magnolias (EVER!). Use acidic fertilizers if you need to. All magnolias love bark mulch.
Cultivation:
Never let magnolia seed dry out as this kills the embryo. Sow immediately 2 cm deep, keep moist, keep the pot outside to finish the cold stratification cycle of 120 days. Sunlight inhibits germination. Most seed will germinate in May with the remaining the following May. Newly emerging seedlings need indirect light/dappled shade at first then stronger light as they put down a larger root system. Protect from nibbling pests two years. Note: seed beginning to sprout are too fragile to ship (and are all mine!). All magnolias growing in temperate regions have identical seed germination requirements where no special treatment is needed other than sowing and cold stratification (experience cold damp conditions).
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