How do I save my magnolia tree?

[Behnaz]

Hi everyone,

My magnolia tree has started showing signs of stress over the past couple of weeks. Its leaves are scrunching up, turning brown, and dropping.

The tree is in a pot, and it was already here when we bought the house in June. Unfortunately, I don’t have any information about the soil type or even the specific type of magnolia.

When we moved in, the tree had some brown, dried leaf tips, but overall, it seemed fine. However, over the past few weeks, the condition has worsened.

I usually water it every two weeks, or every 10 days if there’s no rain and it’s hot. The tree gets full afternoon sun.

I also picked up a pH meter from Bunnings to check the soil. Depending on where I insert it, the reading shows either 6 or 7.

Any advice on what might be causing this or how to help it would be greatly appreciated!

[EricL]

Hello @Behnaz 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your Magnolia tree. 

I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to encourage Magnolias to grow? In the discussion soil quality and pH balance was discussed, soil nutrients are also mentioned and how it could help magnolias thrive and grow. But aside from all these, I also suspect that your pot is no longer adequate for your magnolia tree. There is not enough nutrients in the soil to feed the tree and that's why you are getting die offs. I therefore suggest re-potting the tree into a bigger pot that can hole more soil.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: Growing, pruning and caring for magnolia trees.

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle and @mich1972 for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Noelle]

Hi @Behnaz 

In addition to Eric's excellent advice, I would also suggest moving the tree.to a more shaded position where it isn't in the baking sub for mot of the day. It's current position looks a bit like a sun trap, and some of the leaves looked quite burned.

Evergreen magnolias will tolerate full sun when they're in the garden, surrounded by soil and perhaps a lawn, but in a too-small pot on a paved area surrounded by brick walls, the sun is just too strong for it.

Repotting into a larger pot, fresh potting mix for acid-loving plants, a more appropriate location and some TLC and it should make a comeback and be much happier!

[mich1972]

Good morning @Behnaz Definately sunburnt and heat stress. I absolutely agree with Eric and Noelle with their great advice. I would definitely repot it into a larger size container as well. Good luck 😀 

[Behnaz]

Hi @Eric,

 

Appreciate your help and response.

[Behnaz]

Hi @Noelle,

Thanks for getting back to me. For now, I’ve moved it to a more shaded spot under the pergola until I decide whether to repot it or plant it in my front yard.

Do you have any idea how big it might grow if I plant it in the backyard?

[Behnaz]

Hi @mich1972,

Thanks for getting back to me. For now, I’ve moved it to a more shaded spot under the pergola until I decide whether to repot it or plant it in my front yard.

Do you have any idea how big it might grow if I plant it in the backyard?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Behnaz,

Do you happen to know what variety it is? Unless it is a dwarf variety, it would likely grow quite large into a tree. That could be several metres high and wide. You can regularly prune it to maintain a smaller size.

Mitchell

[mich1972]

Good morning @Behnaz I would replant it into a larger pot, at 2-3 times the size it’s in now with a good premium potting mix with a wetting agent and slow release fertiliser added. If you don’t have the room, I personally wouldn’t plant it in the ground as some species of Magnolia can grow very large. If it is more of a dwarf variety that’s ok. 
Good idea moving it to a partially shaded area to protect from the strong sun. 

[Behnaz]

Hi Mitchell,

Unfortunately, I don't know what variety it is! It was in the house that we bought a couple of month ago, and it doesn't have any tag!