Thanks so much for the replies. The reason for the dwarf is space. I saw Teddy Bear recently and really liked the dark color of the leaves. It was standing next to Little Gem, and there wasn't much difference, though TB might have been a bit darker. I initially liked Alta because of its upright form, which would work well in my space, but from what I understand, TB and LG might also be upright? I wish I could order some of the more interesting varieties, but I want as large a size as I can afford right now, and I'm afraid shipping would be prohibitive on that. I just talked to someone today who said LG is hardy in my area. So if TB and LG are also upright like Alta, then I have 3 choices which work in terms of size and form. I just don't know how to decide among them. Is one faster growing than the others, maybe? Thanks again.

Hi guys If you do have Phytophtera then overwatering can be one cause What is happening is that the roots of your plants are unable to get a protection from the Phytophtera fungus which they usually would have by forming an association with Mycchoriza fungi in the soil There are two basic types of mycchoriza and what happens is they form a symbiotic relationship with the plants, where the plants donate vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates and the mycchoriza assist in nutrient uptake by as much as three hundred percent and also "produce antibiotics which suppress soil disease organisms"...one of which is Phytophtera A very good explanation of this is in a book called..."ECO GARDENING- the six priorities" by Coralie Whitby and published by Rigby....pgs 22-26 I think David Suzuki did a video with this connection described in ti too...can't remember the details The reason plants do not have this mycchorizal connection can be caused very often from aridity but in your case it sounds as if from overwatering . It should be noted that ALL trees and shrubs do much better when they are transplanted (or planted) into a hole that has soil or leaf matter taken from the site of a similar tree or shrub...this is because the soil (or leaf mould ) contains the Mycchorizal innoculant so necessary for good plant health In the long term the best way to assist the tree is to mulch around its base with as much litter (from the same sort of tree) as you can get. I do not worry about collar rot (have you ever heard of a healthy tree in a natural setting (in a forest) getting collar rot from all the leaf litter around it..of course not. If one is concerned that collar rot may occur then one could add a layer of clay around the trunk to the eventual soil level in order to insulate the trunk from the mould...this will also enable the tree to put out extra roots thus enabling it to gain further On the other hand you could use some extremely dangerous poison such as a fungicide but please be very well protected and check that you are well safeguarded and do not inhale any fumes etc etc etc...be aware also that any fungicide will affect the many more good fungi (see above)in the soil as well as the bad targetted fungi Good luck Peter

We will see if your 'Little Gem' is thriving after another series of winters like 2013-2015. The real thing is probably the tenderest commercially popular Magnolia grandiflora cultivar, and is considered barely zone 7 hardy. If there are old, mature ones in your part of the Ohio Valley, by all means tell us about them and post pictures.

Yes, remove the wilted growth. Can you post a picture from the side so that we can see the container?