Magnolia: the tree coloring spring
Main features
Candid as snow and the sweet perfume, the flowers of Magnolia announce the arrival of spring. At the end of March, gladden gardens and lawns with a bloom that can last until the arrival of the winter season. The Magnolia is a plant native of Southeast Asia and North America, where they have been well cataloged 80 species. It loves the wetlands, almost swampy, and grows well at sea, albeit with a less rich foliage. It is a tree that can reach 25 meters in height and, in a careful observer, does not escape its particular shape, similar to a cone.
The leaves are deep green on the top and towards the bottom edge of the leaf becomes even darker. Flowers are the unexpected gift of this plant so generous. Large and a pleasing color ranging from white to yellow, fill the days of early spring with a unique scent. The fruits, which come after flowering, resemble a small pine cone and within them hide small reddish seeds.
How to grow the Magnolia
Cultivating Magnolia is quite simple, just follow the few but important rules. To make it grow healthy and strong, we need to plant it in a clay soil, well drained and rich in nutrients. Although very loving water, care should be taken that there are no puddles near its roots. If the leaves begin to color yellow, you must correct the composition of the soil being too alkaline and calcareous. He loves to be caressed by the sun but also grows well in areas slightly in shade.
The winter the cold can cause some damage and it is a good idea to cover the young branches with plastic sheeting to prevent frost damage. The Magnolia is multiplied by seed, early autumn. Germination occurs very slowly, on average it takes about a year to see the birth of the new plant and about four to be able to plant as a permanent accommodation. But the Magnolia can also be played thanks to the graft or to a very special technique, aerial offshoot.
The young plant needs to be bathed very often and it is advisable to administer a fertilizer of nitrogen during the resumption of vegetative. If exposed to the winter cold, the leaves are weakened, creating a fertile ground for the development of gray mold. Keep aphids, which should be fought through fertilizers on the market. Generally it does not need large pruning.
Curiosity
The Magnolia is named after Pierre Magnol. This French botanist, in fact, was the first to introduce in Europe a young specimen of this tree to grow it in your garden of Montpellier. The white flower of Magnolia, in the language of flowers, symbolizes purity while pink is the eternal symbol of modesty and a cheek slightly flushed sudden emotion. Over the centuries, many legends were born concerning the Magnolia. The inhabitants of Georgia had the custom, until a few decades ago, to plant an exemplary in every flowerbed, to propitiate the economic success and good fortune. In Japan, however, the elders felt that too prolonged stay under the flowers of Magnolia could lead to stun the unwary passersby.
