Question
QUESTION: I was mailed a magnolia pod and a bag of seeds from a friends magnolia tree.  She lives in Texas and I live in Illinois.  I want to plant some of these seeds (not sure how many to plant) and try to grow a few trees.  I do not know what the correct time of year is to plant for my area and if it is not now, how do I store the seeds/pod for safe keeping until I can plant.  Any help you could give would be appreciated.  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Danell,
Thanx for your question.  Do you know what kind of magnolia it is?  There are different kinds.  What part of Texas did the seeds come from?  Is it the large white flowers that have a pod almost like a pinecone with bright red seeds?  Let me know.
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The seeds came from Rusk, TX.  Yes, they are the ones that have a pod that looks like a pinecone with bright red seeds.

Answer
Hi Danell,
Thanx for the additional information.  The magnolia sounds similar to Magnolia grandiflora but could be one of the smaller ones.  The leaves are usually shiny and the flowers are huge but there are smaller ones.  At any rate.  This magnolia is growing in Zone 8 near Lufkin and Tyler, TX.

This link is from the Magnolia Society.

http://www.magnoliasociety.org/care_docs/sow_seeds.html

You'll need to place the seeds in a damp paper napkin and then store in a plastic baggie in the fridge for 60-90 days.  The Magnolia Society recommends using damp sphagnum moss but the paper towel method has worked for me too.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  I hope this helps.
Tom