Magnolias not likely to root in this way. Try searching "magnolia cuttings" or "magnolia propagation" for related discussion.

you will get much better information.. when searching for propagation information... if you take your common name to google.. and find the latin name

who knew a saucer magnolia was called a tulip tree .. lol ...

ken

https://www.google.com/search?q=Magnolia+x+soulangeana&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=Magnolia+x+soulangeana+propagation&*

btw.. i might go as far to say.. that a vast majority of trees .. will not root ... but i might get checked on that ....

ken

How about, "a vast majority need some quasi scientific equipment to be rooted"?

When you say 'a long sucker cutting' do you mean a sucker growing from the base of the tree at or just below soil level? If so did it have any part of a root attached? If not, cuttings would be very, very hard to root. And even with easily rooted species a couple of weeks is far too soon to expect anything. Top growth is no indication of root growth.

yes toro ... greenhouse.. chemicals.. misting.. watering.. heat tables.. doctoral degree .. lol ..... etc ....

ken

Timothy Wood, HERE is a great youtube video showing commercial production of softwood cuttings, in this case elm. Unfortunately, quality demonstrations about propagation of trees from cuttings are nearly impossible to find on the internet. There are some "old wives tales" about rooting tree cuttings in water which are mostly nonsense. Your magnolia can be rooted in NC in late June/early July. We usually cut the leaves of magnolia in half to save on space in the prop bed. Since you likely do not have a greenhouse you can make a cold frame and put a sash over it, do not locate in direct sun. Fill it up with cuttings, mist by hand a couple of times a day and keep sash closed 'till they root. One final note, when you take your leafy cuttings they are very perishable, place them in a plastic bag and in a cooler. Stick them within an hour or two after you take them.

Im confused and not understanding what kind of tree we are talking about?

Japanese Maple, Magnolia, or Tulipifera Liriodendron?

'Japanese tulip tree" usually refers to a type of magnolia, many species of which originate in the Orient. Liriodendron is usually referred to as a 'tulip poplar'. Japanese maples are never (to my knowledge) assigned anything like a 'tulip' appellation :-)

As these are common names and can vary widely by locale, all sorts of mistaken identities can arise. That's why a botanical name is encouraged to be used whenever possible.

I have never heard the term 'Japanese Tulip Tree'. Learn something new everyday. What is its botanical name?

Magnolia x soulangeana, M. lilliflora or any other magnolia that tends to take on tulip shaped flowers.

The suckers easily propagate in soil.

==>>>http://www.weekendgardener.net/tree-information/grow.saucer.magnolia.htm

Rooting hormone isn't necessary. You may also want to reduce the amount of foliage on the cutting (if you are anywhere near me it shouldn't have any). So, if it has flowers, remove them completely so it can focus on growing roots instead of seeds.

Like Japanese maples, magnolias are notoriously difficult to propagate from cuttings - a very high failure rate. Also the wrong time of year. You will get better results (if any) from softwood cuttings, taken after the flowers have just gone over or late spring/early summer.

Thanks everyone.