Magnolia grandiflora
Southern Magnolia · Bull Bay
About the plant
What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
The plant
- Habit
- Perennial, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Habit
- treePlants of the World Online
- Height
- 60-80 ft18-24 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Spread
- 30-50 ft9-15 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Flower
- Cream/Tan, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Blooms
- Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Hardiness zones
- 6-10Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Soil
- Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Soil pH
- Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Moisture
- Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Worth knowing
- The state tree of Mississippi and the state flower of Louisiana. Mark Catesby brought it to Britain in 1726. Wikipedia: Magnolia grandiflora
- It can bear seed by ten years old, though seed production peaks closer to 25. Squirrels, possums, quail and turkeys eat the seeds. Wikipedia: Magnolia grandiflora
Protocol
DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996Difficulty Moderate
Clean the flesh off the seed
Leach in running water
Duration: 7 days
Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.
Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark
7 days from start to sowing. Then 21 days to germinate.
40% germination in 7–21 days.
How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.
Germination trials
Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials
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