 Fruit |
 Seed |
 Seedling |
Propagation Method
Seed collection: Bigleaf magnolia fruit is an aggregate of capsule-like structures. Each can contain a single fleshy seed. Harvest the fruit in the fall after the seeds have swollen and are bright red.
Later in the season, the fleshy seeds can be found around the base of the tree after they have fallen from the fruit. The fleshy seed covering should be removed by rubbing it off under running water. They can be stored dry for several years in air tight containers in the refrigerator.
Seed dormancy: Big leaf magnolia has morphophysiological dormancy.
Seed germination: Stratify seeds using moist chilling for 100-120 days to satisfy physiological dormancy. The embryo within the seed is very small and must grow within the seed prior to germination. Therefore, seedling emergence may take over one month.
Following stratification, sow seeds in a nursery container to produce a seedling or sow them in a plastic container in the classroom to observe germination.