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Gardening in the UK

Magnolia Soulangeana

21 years ago

What is the appropriate time of year to fertilise? and is it ok to fertilise with rotted manure or is that too non ericacious for it? Or should I stick with ericacious fertiliser? or both?

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Comments (5)

shrubs_n_bulbs
21 years ago
Why do you want to fertilise? A Magnolia in good soil doesn't need fertiliser.

Are you trying to encourage more growth? Fertilise in spring and early summer with a balanced fertiliser.

Compensate for a particular soil problem? Probably at any time including now.

Encourage flowering? Don't randomly throw fertiliser at it. If there is a particular problem, identify it and then apply the correct fertiliser. Incorrect fertiliser may reduce flowering or even harm the tree.

Well-rotted manure can be applied at any time. Make sure it is well-rotted, Magnolias won't thank you for using the fresh stuff.

Magnolias don't need ericaceous soil, they grow fine in neutral or even slightly alkaline soil, as well as the recommended slightly acid soil. Unless you have moderately or very alkaline soil (lots of chalk or limestone), you shouldn't need to worry about this.
esthomizzy
Original Author
21 years ago
It's growing in a pot so I don't want it to be outed of nutrients at this time of year which might mean it won't be at it's best in order to flower next year. I planted it last autumn but it didn't flower in the spring and had lots of dying leaves and generally looked very unhappy and I thought it was because I'd been missold a large magnolia when I wanted one suitable for a large planter. But over the year it's dying leaves have fallen away and are now replaced by healthy ones. So perhaps it didn't react too well to being transplanted in the first place. The rotted manure I use comes in a bag from the garden centre I take it a bit of that would be ok?
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Frost and rain will turn petals into brown-edged offerings but the later ones should be fine. The main issue I have with M x soulangeana is - the hungry roots. However, the area below does make a good habitat for bulbs that like dry conditions and good drainage. Personally, I always craved a M campbellii: I love the one in the Botanical Gardens which drifts down a wide bank. It takes a long time to walk past it so my present garden is not quite right. x soulangeana 'Lennei' and the other goblet-flowered ones aren't too dominant, though, but they need room to disappear after they've finished showing off for the year (with the occasional late flower over the summer). I've seen there is a Magnolia 'Little Gem' which may be suitable also for tub culture. The bit that has me fascinated is how Magnolia will respond to root training as it grows on and needs renewal. The ground-grown ones seem quite blase about having chunks chopped through so it will probably be fine.
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esthomizzy
Original Author
21 years ago
It's growing in a pot so I don't want it to be outed of nutrients at this time of year which might mean it won't be at it's best in order to flower next year. I planted it last autumn but it didn't flower in the spring and had lots of dying leaves and generally looked very unhappy and I thought it was because I'd been missold a large magnolia when I wanted one suitable for a large planter. But over the year it's dying leaves have fallen away and are now replaced by healthy ones. So perhaps it didn't react too well to being transplanted in the first place. The rotted manure I use comes in a bag from the garden centre I take it a bit of that would be ok?
shrubs_n_bulbs
21 years ago
A pot? I missed that reason to fertilise :)

You can pop some of the manure on top now if you like, but plan on using some fertiliser next year. Its hard to maintain a good eco-system in a pot that would fertilise "naturally" simply by adding organic material. You can use a time-release fertiliser mixed into the soil every spring, or a soluble fertiliser when you water, whichever you prefer. You can use an ericaceous fertiliser but don't use the ones that have a big nitrogen number. Pick one with all three numbers about equal.
esthomizzy
Original Author
21 years ago
Great thanks I will do :)

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