Magnolia kobus ssp borealis seeds (Great Northern Magnolia)

Description

Japan’s mountain forests are home to this extremely hardy Magnolia kobus subspecies.  Late winter/early spring flowers withstand light frosts and west coast rains well. Just as beautiful as M. kobus but the tree form is quite a bit larger with a spreading sinuous form and very early bloom. Flowers and seed from this subspecies are some what smaller than M. kobus. Never lime magnolias (EVER!). Use acidic fertilizers if you need to. All magnolias love bark mulch.

• Seed Count: 12-15
• Collection Date:  Oct 2020
• Hardiness Zone: 3-8
• Height and Width: 12m x 15m
• Germination test type: cut; float
• Family: Magnoliaceae

How to germinate Magnolia kobus ssp borealis seeds:

Stratifying seed. 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. If you baggie sow these provide room temps with no supplemental warmth as they don’t seem to tolerate this. Once you see them crack open, transplant into a pot 15 mm deep as they don’t like being in the bag at this stage for too long and mortality can be high.