Hi i'm new at gardening but extremely keen, i've recently purchased a magnolia tree (Grown in a pot not a seedling) and would like to know the best soil type to plant it with and where abouts i can purchase said soil also best method of planting, any advice or help is much appriciated. cheers
Be very careful when choosing where to plant it. Magnolias do not move well. If this is a deciduous magnolia that blooms in the spring or late winter and you might get frost, plant it in the shade of a northern exposure so that sunlight will not promote flowering before the end of frosts. Evergreen magnolias, however, tend to flower in the summer and can thus be planted in a southern exposure.
They need to be planted away from other trees and large shrubs. Nothing should be planted within the "drip zone" (the area under the branches). Especially avoid planting where people might walk or children play because magnolias do not thrive where foot traffic compacts the soil.
Be sure that the top of the root ball from the container does not settle lower than the surrounding soil. If necessary, plant slightly higher. If this is a relatively large magnolia relative to its root ball and you get wind, stake the plant until the roots are fully established into the native soil (about 1-2 years).
Magnolias require soil that drains well (moist but not soggy) and that is slightly acidic. DO NOT USE LIME AROUND A MAGNOLIA.
They appreciate fertilizers but only slow-release. I generally dig bone meal or super-phosphate into the bottom of a planting hole for any flowering plant but do not otherwise use fertilizer (except for annuals) until the second growing season. This allows roots to recover and spread before nutrients force top growth that will place a demand on the roots.
Hi fergie, it would be useful to know where abouts you are in the world and which of the hundreds of magnolias you've bought ??? but here are a few general guidelines. The MOST important thing when planting magnolias is to know that the roots are very fleshy and fairly fragile so NO firming in with your boot as is the norm when planting most plants. Prepare the area where you are going to plant by digging in plenty of organic matter (if your in the UK, check out your local 'greenwaste' company, its a great source of organic, sterile, soil conditioning material) Dig the hole and fork in a handful of fish blood and bone or pelleted chicken manure. If the ground is dry, fill the hole with water and let it soak away. Place the plant at the same level as the compost in the pot, refill around the plant GENTLY firming in and depending on the size, add a stake if required, placing the stake on the downwind side of the prevailing wind (to prevent it rubbing the plant in any wind) and water again. Depending n the subsequent weather, make sure that the plant stays moist until well established.
regards, Lannerman.
Look for a mist area with good drainage to plant magnolia. Acidic soils are the best for the trees. Apply fertilizer to a young tree monthly. Since it is being applied frequently, only provide a light amount each time. Use one pound of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet in March, May, July and September. This will give the tree the necessary '*organic nutrients*'
Make the hole for the magnolia root ball twice as wide as the ball but only as deep as the root ball. Top off with 3 to 5 inches of mulch. Prune the tree when it is young. This will help it develop its adult, pyramidal shape. Trim side branches and leave bottom branches. You will have to wait around 10 years before a magnolia tree begins blooming. This is when the tree becomes mature.
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