Yes, I was going to say the same thing. It was planted way too deep and then, to add insult to injury, had mulch all the way up to the trunk. * Never plant a tree any deeper than it was in its container. * No new soil should be placed on top of roots when a tree is planted. * Mulch should always be pulled back about five or six inches from the trunk (unless you are protecting a plant from a freeze.) This is a very old photo, but see how my magnolia is planted on a mound and the top of the root flare is (barely) visible? I think your magnolia will do much better now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! :) Carol in Jacksonville

They didnt have little gem at Armstrongs in Claremont. I also went to a few nurseries nearby and they also didnt have little gem. I did see a lot of spring flowering magnolias. The only grandifloras they had were the 15 gallon size I think and they definitely werent little gem. One nursery said the the smallest pot size magnolias they can get is 5 gallon which is too big for my patio and would be difficult to haul. I guess I will have to order sticks online since this is frustrating me. Thanks to everyone that posted. Does anyone know if Lowes or Home Depot carry Little Gem? While out looking for Little Gem, one thing I notice is that nurseries tend to have an awful lot of camellias which is ironic because I rarely see camellias in the yards of So Cal. So many plants at nurseries, but I can never find what I desire.

I think sometimes people plant things based on what they see and don't see in other peoples' yards. Over ten years ago I planted a Magnolia graniflora on the south side of my house in suburban Bergen county (central eastern part). Technically, I believe we are listed as zone 6b but I have a lot of plants from zone 7 (camelia, Acuba, etc.) This is the big-leaved variety (not any super hardy dwarf form). I am familar with only a couple others planted around here but have noticed them being sold more frequently now around here. This tree has grown beautifully. Much better than I ever expected it too. The first two winter I remember were really bad (record cold, record ice etc.). The first couple of years, I would spray it with an antidesicant in the fall. Now, that would be impossible to do even if I wanted to and it has passed through the last several winters without ANY leave damage. I have had to cut back the lower branches of a large white pine that is growing in the vicinity of the magnolia in order to give the magnolia more room. (It is reaching beyond the second story at this point.) I think the significance of microclimates is underestimated. This tree is on the south side of the house and partly protected by adjacent conifers. My only regret is not planting it further away from the house. A lesson to everyone who plants a tree; however far you want to plant that tree, PLANT IT FURTHER AWAY!!

aggressive growth is dependent on how fast it gets RE-established ... and how much it will grow.. until then .... is completely speculative .... it is stressed until such ... it is not hungry ... i would NOT fert it ... ever ... as far as i am concerned... all it needs next year.. is proper watering ...see link for a discussion of such what was the post with this picture last week???? ken Here is a link that might be useful: link