How to Plant Magnolias in Pots

Magnolias are beautiful and special trees highly appreciated for their distinctive foliage, exquisite flowers, and lovely fragrance. However, to enjoy their beauty, you don't need to plant them in your yard or garden. You can plant magnolias in pots and enjoy their beauty on your balcony, terrace, or patio. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to plant magnolias in pots.

Choose the Right Pot

The pot you choose to plant your magnolia matters a lot because it will impact the growth of your tree. Magnolias are deep root trees, and therefore, you need a big pot that is at least 50cm wide and 50cm deep. The pot should also have drainage holes to prevent water accumulation that can cause root rot.

Select the Right Soil Mixture

The soil you use to plant your magnolia should be a well-draining and nutrient-rich mixture. You can either use potting soil or make your own mixture by mixing equal parts of compost, garden soil, and sand. The sand will help improve drainage and aeration.

Plant the Magnolia

Once you have the right pot and soil mixture, the next step is to plant the magnolia. First, fill the pot with a layer of the soil mixture to form the base. After that, position the tree at the base of the pot and add more soil mixture around it. Make sure the roots are covered with soil and the tree is stable. Water the tree thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil.

Provide the Right Growing Conditions

After planting, you need to provide the right growing conditions for your magnolia to thrive. Magnolias need plenty of sunlight to grow and develop healthily. Therefore, place your potted magnolia in a sunny spot where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight every day. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, by watering the tree whenever the soil feels dry. In addition, fertilize the tree every two weeks using a balanced liquid fertilizer to promote its growth.

Repot the Magnolia

As your magnolia grows, it will eventually outgrow its pot, and you will need to repot it in a bigger pot. However, you do not want to shock your tree by suddenly changing its environment too much. Therefore, when repotting, choose a pot that is slightly bigger than the previous one to give your magnolia enough room to grow. Use fresh soil and follow the same planting steps as before when repotting. After repotting, water the tree and make sure it gets enough sunlight to continue thriving.

Conclusion

Planting magnolias in pots is a great way to enjoy their beauty even with limited space. Select the right pot, soil mixture, and provide the right growing conditions to ensure the tree thrives. Follow the steps above, and you will have a beautiful magnolia tree growing healthily and beautifully in your pot in no time.