When to prune magnolia

The magnolia or magnolia is a tree native mainly to Asia that produces large and very showy flowers during spring. It is a plant that we really like to have in gardens, not only for its beauty, but also for its easy cultivation. And that is not to mention that over time it comes to give a good shade.

But if we want to have it perfect, we must provide a series of care, so if you do not know when to prune magnolia, in this article we will tell you in detail everything you need to know about this important gardening job.

Magnolia is a tree that grows naturally in Southeast Asia, the eastern United States, Mexico, and South America. The vast majority of species are deciduous, but there are some that are evergreen, such as magnolia grandiflora.

Its growth rate is quite slow, although it can be accelerated a bit if it is paid regularly during spring and summer with organic fertilizers if you live in an area with a mild climate, or with a specific one for acid plants in the event that the weather is very hot (maximum temperature above 30ºC).

When to prune magnolia?

If we talk about pruning, this it has to be done at the beginning of autumn (September and October in the northern hemisphere) since it is a plant that usually heals slowly. This also means that you have to avoid drastic pruning of branches, since otherwise the tree would weaken and could end up being the victim of pests and / or diseases.

Pruning is a job that must be done regularly when trees and shrubs are grown, but it is very important to know the cycles of each one of them, and above all, we must have respect for the plants. It is true that in their natural habitat, for example in a forest, the wind or the animals themselves break branches, but if lightning strikes them they will cause a lot of damage.

For all this, and in the specific case of the magnolia, we will prune it only if necessary and never in the middle of the growing season, which runs from spring to late summer.

How to prune magnolia?

To prune it, what we will do is make small cuts each time so that it can heal quickly, as well as remove dry, weak or diseased branches.

Only if it is necessary, the cup will clear, removing those branches that cross and do not let the sun reach all parts of the glass well. But, after pruning, you have to put healing paste, to prevent the plant from losing sap and, incidentally, that fungi can affect it, especially if thick branches, 1,5, 2 or more centimeters have been pruned.

When in doubt, it is always better not to prune, because doing it wrong could risk losing our magnolia.

Tools to use

The pruning tools that can be used are:

• Pruning shears, for young branches and therefore one centimeter thick.
• Common scissors, whether kitchen or craft, for branches less than one centimeter.
• hand saw, for branches two centimeters thick or more.

Before and after using them, they must be disinfected with a disinfectant product such as dish soap. Keep in mind that viruses, bacteria and fungi are not seen, but that does not mean that they are not there.

If you use a pruning tool which turns out to have a few fungal spores attached, for example, it is a tool that will infect a plant.

La magnolia It is a beautiful tree that does not really require much pruning, beyond removing some branches that may be broken or diseased. But, when you play, you have to do it with your head, that is, with common sense, so that we can enjoy its beauty for years.