Magnolia officinalis var biloba |
Native Region: Southeastern China
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; well draining humus rich acid soil.
Harvest Date: Sunday 31 October, 2010
Seed count: 10-12
Description:
An exotic magnolia with large obovate leaves with a deep notch at the apex giving the leaves a bi-lobed shape characteristic of this subspecies. In May-June, antique ivory coloured 30 cm diameter sweetly scented flowers appear in abundance. Grows very quickly (1m/year) and blooms at a very young age (5-7 years). Straight trunked tree reaching an average height of 15 meters, but the odd larger specimen is known in botanical gardens. Almost non-existent in the wild due to over harvesting of its prized medicinal bark used in TCM.
Notes:
Overly windy sites can be brutal on the large leaves.
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.
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