Magnolias grown in the ground will typically require only mulch, and will not need additional feeding. When grown in pots, however, some additional liquid feed may be helpful. Feeding magnolias grown in containers in early spring with a high phosphorus and potassium liquid feed can promote healthy growth and encourage more abundant flowering.
What to feed a magnolia tree?
Discussion in ' Trees ' started by Xris, Jul 3, 2012. Was wondering if to feed a magnolia tree and if so what type of feed to use and when. I did read that all you should do is mulch around it. Cheers. Any well-rotted organic matter will do as a feed for your magnolia; horse manure, compost, leaf litter etc.
Do magnolia trees have roots in pots?
Remember magnolias are trees and will have a complex root system that needs feeding and watering, more than other plants in containers. Magnolia roots grow very quickly and intricately, so getting the right size and shape of the container is of ultimate importance.
How do you care for a magnolia tree in a pot?
Because the tree roots cannot search outside the pot for soil moisture, be sure to water regularly, and make sure your pot has sufficient drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating in the pot. Magnolias like cool roots, so keep a layer of mulch on the soil's surface.
What kind of soil do magnolia trees need?
But they do need the right soil, light, water, and feeding to thrive. In general, magnolias prefer well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. But this can vary depending on the tree type, so check with your nursery when you buy your tree.
What is the best Fertiliser for Magnolias?
Most magnolia tree varieties grow best when they received fertilizers to have an ample amount of nitrogen. This means that fertilizers with an NPK ratio of 20-5-10 or 12-4-8 are most ideal for the tree. That being said, magnolia trees can also benefit from all-purpose fertilizers as well.
How do you care for a potted magnolia tree?
1:353:45How to Grow Magnolias in Pots - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipShould have adequate water holding capacity and provides sufficient nutrients for the tray to growMoreShould have adequate water holding capacity and provides sufficient nutrients for the tray to grow amend with compost to add some nutrients to the soil.
Do magnolia trees need fertilizer?
Under normal conditions your magnolia tree should thrive with an application of fertilizer once a year. If you observe leaves getting smaller every year or new growth of less than 5 inches each year, your magnolia tree may need additional fertilizer to boost its growth.
Can magnolia trees live in pots?
I do most of my gardening in containers and would love to have a magnolia in my home landscape. The answer is yes, but only if you have an extremely large container! The smallest varieties of "dwarf" forms grow 8-12 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide at full maturity.
When should I feed my magnolia?
The best time to do this is in late spring (April-May) or autumn (October). First, prepare the ground by removing debris and weeds and water the surface of the soil if it's dry. If mulching in spring, apply the spring feed if this has not been done, then hoe the ground lightly to mix in.
Do magnolias need ericaceous feed?
Magnolias prefer a slightly acidic soil so potting compost for Rhododendrons, Azaleas or ericaceous plants is suitable. Another solution is to use a loam based compost which is slightly acidic.
How do you feed magnolias?
Plants in containers have little access to nutrients, so need feeding regularly during the growing season. It is also best to topdress in spring – scrape off the top 5cm (2in) of compost and replace with fresh compost and a little slow-release fertiliser, such as Vitax Q4 or blood, fish and bone.
Why are the leaves on my magnolia turning yellow?
Too little water can cause drought stress, which results in yellowing leaves on magnolias. Too much water, or soil that doesn't drain well, can drown the tree roots. This can also cause yellow magnolia leaves. Yellow magnolia leaves can also be a symptom of sunburn or insufficient light.
Is blood and bone good for magnolias?
Applying a specially formulated, nutrient-rich mulch will give your magnolia the food and energy it needs to produce excellent flowers. To make a suitable mulch, mix together: 5 bags cow manure (not chicken manure as it burns the roots) 1 cup blood & bone.
Do magnolias like compost?
Tips on planting your magnolia tree Improve soil with quality compost or well-composted manure. Make planting holes at least twice the width of the pot.
What compost do you need for a magnolia tree?
Some varieties of Magnolia are small enough to be grown as a container plant. When growing Magnolias in patio pots, use a blend of ericaceous compost mixed with John Innes No. 3.
How long can trees stay in pots?
Trees can live in a container for as long as they are healthy and happy. If you follow the proper steps to ensure your tree's health, it could stay in the same pot for 20 years or more. Container-grown trees aren't meant to be grown forever, though some types of trees may outlive their planters.
How much water does a potted magnolia tree need?
Though the watering requirements will vary depending on the variety of your indoor magnolia plant, you will generally need to water the plant several times a week, at least for the first two to four months. However, it's best to play this by ear as the main goal is to keep the soil moist without it being overly wet.
Do magnolias prefer sun or shade?
Most magnolias prefer: full sun. fertile, moist, well-drained soil. slightly acidic or neutral conditions.
How long can trees stay in pots?
Trees can live in a container for as long as they are healthy and happy. If you follow the proper steps to ensure your tree's health, it could stay in the same pot for 20 years or more. Container-grown trees aren't meant to be grown forever, though some types of trees may outlive their planters.
How do I protect my magnolia tree in the winter?
How do I protect my Magnolia tree against the cold? If you live in a zone 4 or colder and you are facing a severe freeze you can protect your tree by wrapping the trunk and branches with blankets and mulching the top of the root ball to insulate any shallow roots.
What kind of soil do magnolias like?
In general, magnolias prefer well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. But this can vary depending on the tree type, so check with your nursery when you buy your tree. Amend the soil with compost, and, if desired, add a little peat moss or sand to keep the right moisture balance.
How tall can magnolia trees grow?
When looking for the perfect show-stopping tree, a magnolia is a great option. And while standard magnolia varieties can reach up to 80 feet tall, several smaller cultivars max out at 20 feet. This means it's doable to grow them in a container that can be moved to suit your space's (and your tree's) needs.
Can magnolias be kept indoors?
You might be able to overwinter your magnolia indoors if your climate is too cold for your desired cultivar. In addition, varieties with a relatively compact growth habit are better suited for containers. A few to consider include: These cultivars range in size from 12 to 20 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide.
Can magnolias grow in a container?
The first consideration when growing a magnolia in a container is the container itself. If the container will only be a temporary home for the tree before you plant it in the ground, then you can select one that's just slightly larger than the tree's root ball.
How big should a magnolia tree container be?
For example, if a mature tree has a trunk diameter of 5 cm, then the container needs to be 1.5 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter. As you can imagine this is quite a large container, requiring a lot of compost, feed, and watering.
How tall do dwarf magnolias grow?
This is especially true of the giant varieties. Dwarf varieties that grow less than 3 m in height, will do well in containers. Varieties such as Magnolia ‘Red Lucky’ that grows up to 1.8m can be used.
Why do you need to dig a hole in compost?
Moisture needs to be retained as to make the compost neither too wet nor too dry. As typical when planting any tree, you will need to dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. This is carried out to allow the roots to grow freely and without hindrance.
Can magnolias be moved into a greenhouse?
Generally, magnolias love the sun, then containers offer a distinct advantage that it can be moved to any location in the garden to maximize sunlight exposure. It will also allow the magnolia tree to be moved into the greenhouse or conservatory in winter to offer maximum protection from severe frosts.
When do magnolias bloom?
When you think about magnolia trees, your first thought is of a majestic plant, growing in well-kept lawns or in large gardens, bearing large pink or white flowers in early spring. You see them in gardens but never in pots due to their large root system.
Can magnolia trees be moved?
The fully planted magnolia tree will benefit by being placed in a sunny, sheltered spot. It may be better to move the tree around within its container until a position is found where the tree will thrive.
Can you grow Magnolias in a container?
Star, Ann and Southern Magnolias all can be grown in containers, even Saucer Magnolias at a push if you have a big enough container. Remember magnolias are trees and will have a complex root system that needs feeding and watering, more than other plants in containers.
Tips To Growing Magnolia In Containers
The magnolia is a beautiful broadleaf evergreen and is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. Magnolias are tropical-sub tropical plants and are native to The Caribbean, Central America, South America, eastern North America, and areas of southeastern Asia.
Note: Container Grown Plant
Before we dive into growing a magnolia tree in a container it’s a known fact that there are many advantages to growing plants in containers. This method allows you to move your plant around under the most unfavorable conditions especially overwintering them from the harsh winter months.
7 Steps to Grow Magnolia Tree in Containers
1. When purchasing a magnolia make sure that’s it’s healthy, what you don’t want is a plant that’s sickly. If there’re signs of root bound, stunted growth, yellow and brown leaves are signs of stress.
How do I grow magnolias?
Growing magnolias in pots. Choose only dwarf and small varieties. Use a pot at least double the size of your root ball, fill with quality potting mix and add water-storage crystals to help retain moisture. When planting, take care not to disturb roots. Position in full sun to part shade.
When should I plant magnolias?
Plant your deciduous magnolia in spring, not autumn, because its roots are easily damaged when handled and the roots have the summer months to repair, which they can’t do in the winter. Your new plant may be tall and thin, so use stakes for the first year or two to support it.
What is a saucer magnolia?
Tulip or saucer magnolia ( Magnolia x soulangeana) and its many varieties and cultivars is the one we mostly see in our neighbourhoods. The profusion of large, perfumed, goblet-like flowers emerge tall and slender then open as wide as 25cm in white, pink, purple or rose-purple, while often retaining a white interior.
How tall does a magnolia tree grow?
Cucumber or blue magnolia ( M. accuminata) produces exquisite yellow, tulip-shaped flowers about 10cm long. It can grow quite tall (about 20m), so imagine your tree smothered with yellow ribbons delivering a gentle lemon fragrance, especially if you live in a cool climate where it does well.
What is a sweet bay magnolia?
Sweet bay Magnolia (M. virginiana) will lighten up your garden with its soft grey-green leaves that have a silvery underside. The small, white, highly perfumed flowers appear in spring with a blast, then sporadically in summer. Each flower closes at night, then opens in the morning.
Is a magnolia a pot wine?
Pot wine magnolia. Port wine magnolia (Michelia figo) is not strictly a magnolia, although it belongs to the same family, which is why it is such a delightful plant to consider. It produces deep, rich, port wine coloured flowers in spring and summer just inside the foliage, so can be used as a decorative hedge.
Xris Gardener
Was wondering if to feed a magnolia tree and if so what type of feed to use and when.
HarmonyArb Gardener
Any well-rotted organic matter will do as a feed for your magnolia; horse manure, compost, leaf litter etc. As long as you have decent soil the tree shouldn't really encounter any nutrient deficiency problems.
HarmonyArb Gardener
It'll flower if it has adequate energy to do so - if it has been well looked after and is in good health then it'll flower normally without any further help needed. If you are wanting to go down the lines of applying chemical fertiliser in order to promote flowering then you need a mix that is bias toward potassium.
How long does it take for magnolias to grow?
The good news is that they are slow growing, and 'Little Gem', for example, a type of southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), will take 20 years to reach 20 feet.
When do magnolias bloom?
It develops lemon-scented creamy white blooms in late spring to early summer. To help container-grown magnolias survive, it's important to use a potting mix that contains lots of organic matter (see the potting mix package for a list of ingredients).
Do magnolias like to water?
Magnolias like cool roots , so keep a layer of mulch on the soil's surface.
