I tried the following during August 2010: Obtain seeds as fresh as possible. Remove the reddish aril (aril was quite oily) completely by washing with water and gentle rubbing. File a small area of seed (black/dark brown) with an emery board. Soak in water approx. 2 hours. Mix 2 parts multipurpose compost and 1 part sharp sand. Fill clear colourless plastic pots (has layer of grit at the bottom) with compost. Water the compost and allow water to drain from the bottom of pot, Make a hole (about 1cm-cube or approx size of seed) at the edge of the compost with the pot, put seed in and cover with compost. Stretch clingfilm over the top of pots and tie with rubber band. Put pots on foil-lined tray to reflect light and in sunniest spot in the house. I watered sparingly from the base of pot after planting if the compost looked dry. After 32 days I had 1 (of 12 seeds) germinated. I found it useful to read this article (found it by google) Revista Arvore Print version ISSN 0100-6762 Rev. Arvore vol.28 no.3 Vicosa May/June 2004 doi: 10.1590/S0100-67622004000300002 "Seed germination and removal of Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae) in eucalypt stands: the influence of the aril" "Germina��o e remo��o de sementes de Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae) em talh�es de eucalipto: influ�ncia do arilo" by Giovano Candiani, Mauro Galetti and Victor Jose Mendes Cardoso

Have you checked the local asian supermarkets? I got mine just before chinese new year at the Asian supermarket in Houston.

There was like 3 of them all the way in the back/left corner of the nursery. They had other magnolias too. There was a soulangeana hybrid with lightly scented summer flowers, was very tempting to get it. LOL. Musk Rainbow got knocked down during severe winds last December and, well, got ran over (pic below). And there was two inflos starting to form. But it has recovered beautifully with lots of tips. Should throw out a lot of inflos next spring or later this year if lucky. Keep in mind, it does well in So Cal even into mid-January then lose it's leaves until March/April.

Will do, thanks Grant! I bought the tree 3 weeks prior. I made sure to choose a tree that had signs of new leaf growth and possibly even a flower (no luck). This tree was originally quite healthy looking apart from a couple of small brown spots on one of the lower branch. I kept in in the original pot for 3 weeks to acclimate to the positlion. Although a couple of more leaves appeared to have additional brown spots, it looked overall healthy. I decided to transpot it because the tree seems quite squished and I also noted how compact the surface roots look. Keeping a close eye on it and hoping for the best. I just wanted to be sure if it was not fungus and/or spider mites or anything other serious problems so I can proactively diffuse the situation. Here’s a photo from a top branch