Magnolia Magnolia 'Lois'

Water

Magnolia 'Lois', commonly known as Yellow Bird Magnolia, requires consistent moisture but does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. It should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring the soil is moist but not saturated. You can supply about 3 gallons of water for young trees each time you water to ensure it reaches deep into the root system. In periods of drought or extreme heat, increase watering frequency to twice a week. However, during the winter and in well-established trees, reduce watering since the plant will require less.

Light

Yellow Bird Magnolia thrives in full sun to partial shade. It performs best when it receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot would be where the plant is exposed to the morning sun and gets some shade during the hottest part of the afternoon to protect its delicate blooms from scorching.

Temperature

Yellow Bird Magnolia does well in a range of temperatures but prefers a moderate climate. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and maximum temperatures that do not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, daytime temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and cooler nighttime temperatures are optimal for this magnolia variant.

Pruning

Prune Yellow Bird Magnolia to maintain its shape, remove dead or damaged wood, and promote healthy growth. The best time to prune is late summer or early fall after flowering has finished, as this avoids cutting off the next season's blooms. Typically, this magnolia requires minimal pruning; remove only what is necessary and aim to do so every 2 to 3 years unless there is dead or damaged wood that needs immediate attention.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Magnolia 'Lois', commonly referred to as Lois Magnolia, thrives in a soil mix that is rich, well-draining, and slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. A good soil mix can be created using equal parts loam, peat moss, and perlite to ensure proper drainage and aeration, which are essential for healthy root development.

Repotting

Lois Magnolia, a less frequently cultivated cultivar of Magnolia, generally does not need to be repotted often. It prefers to be left undisturbed and should only be repotted if it has outgrown its current container or if the soil has degraded significantly, which might happen every 3 to 5 years.

Humidity & Misting

For the Lois Magnolia, maintaining moderate to high humidity levels is beneficial, ideally between 50-60%. They can tolerate lower humidity, but in drier environments, supplementary humidity might be necessary to keep the foliage in good condition.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Lois Magnolia near a bright window, ensure high humidity.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-draining soil, part sun, sheltered from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

The life cycle of the Magnolia 'Lois' begins with germination, where the seed establishes itself in soil and begins to sprout. In the vegetative growth stage, the plant develops its root system, stems, and foliage, gradually maturing over several years. As it enters the flowering stage, Magnolia 'Lois' produces its characteristic large, showy, and fragrant flowers, typically in early spring before the foliage fully develops. Following pollination, often by beetles attracted to the flowers, the plant enters the fruiting stage, in which it forms seed cones that mature and release seeds. The dispersal stage occurs when seeds are spread by wind or sometimes by animals, finding new locations to grow. Throughout its lifecycle, the Magnolia 'Lois' may experience repeated cycles of growth and dormancy, annually shedding its leaves in the fall and entering a period of winter dormancy in colder climates.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Magnolia 'Lois', known for its beautiful blossoms and fragrant flowers, is most commonly propagated through softwood cuttings. This method is typically done in late spring to early summer, when the new growth is still flexible but mature enough to take root. Cuttings about 4 to 6 inches long with several sets of leaves are snipped from a healthy parent plant, just below a node. The lower leaves are removed, and the bottom end of the cutting is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then placed in a well-draining growing medium, such as a mix of peat and perlite, ensuring that the node where the leaves were removed is buried. The environment should be kept humid, which can be achieved by covering the pot with a plastic bag or using a propagation dome, and the temperature should be maintained at around 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C). With proper care and conditions, the cuttings will develop roots in several weeks and can be transplanted to individual pots or directly into the garden.