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We planted little gems 3 days ago and a few leaves closest to the ground are looking like this? Have I burnt them with something/they need more water or ive over watered them. Any help would be great.
Hello @laurat1989
Thanks for sharing the photo — that leaf from your Little Gem magnolia is definitely showing signs of stress. The yellowing with black speckling and browning at the tip is often a mix of transplant shock and environmental stress, and it's quite common a few days after planting, especially on older or lower leaves.
This doesn’t look like chemical burn (so no worries about fertiliser burn unless something strong was sprayed or poured directly on the leaves). It’s more likely caused by one or a combination of the following:
- Transplant Shock – Being recently planted, your magnolias are adjusting to their new spot. Older leaves near the base are usually the first to drop when a plant is stressed, especially if the root ball dried out before or during planting.
- Over or Underwatering – Both too much and too little water can cause yellowing, dark spotting, or browning. Since they’ve only been in for 3 days, it’s crucial to water deeply and slowly at the base — but not too often. Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ prefers consistent moisture but hates soggy feet. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
- Fungal Spots – The tiny blackish dots might be fungal spores, which can happen when humidity is high or if the leaves get wet and stay wet. This can be more noticeable on leaves close to the ground where airflow is limited.
Here’s what you can do right now: – Gently remove any damaged or yellowing leaves — they won’t recover, and removing them helps the plant redirect energy. – Make sure the base is mulched (but not up against the stem) to help retain moisture and regulate temperature. – Water deeply every few days rather than giving a light sprinkle daily. Stick your finger in the soil to check — if the top 5 cm is dry, it's time to water. – Avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry. – If you want to be extra cautious, you can spray with Yates Anti Rot or Eco-Fungicide to protect against fungal problems.
As long as the new growth at the tips of the branches looks healthy, the plant is likely settling in just fine. If you notice new leaves turning yellow or black spots spreading upwards, let me know and we can reassess.
Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when spraying your plants.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Eric i now have these little holes?
Hi @laurat1989,
It's a bit hard to tell what has caused the holes. They resemble something an insect would create. I would monitor the plant and check that more holes don't appear.
Mitchell
