Sorry Forum Members, ..... ... While I originally asked a general question re: "Magnolia Pruning", I realize that in order to get some help, I should've been more botanically specific. The Magnolia I eventually want to "train" is a 6ft.-8ft. Magnolia X acuminata 'Butterflies'. I have no idea how old this tree is, but I would guess that it is blooming-size, or, near blooming size. It's containerized, and the container looks to be at least 10 gallons. Single trunk, about 1-1/2 " diameter, branches all growing within the top half of the tree. This tree has many well spaced branches, but the internodal distances on most of these branches is quite long, with few, or, no twigs, and this cuts down on the potential flowering points. If I'm "reading" the tree correctly, most of the flower buds for next year will be concentrated only at the terminal ends of the branches. I would like to prune back some of these branches to induce back-budding, and, to encourage twigginess. If all goes as planned, this should give me an increased in number of flowering points. I also want to trim some branches to give a little better look to the tree. I figured that I should do this while the tree is still young. Anyway, I know that Mag's. shouldn't be pruned, but there has to be some way to get these trees to break some dormant buds along bare sections of branches. Will pinching out the terminals - after flowering - get some back-budding action going? Thanks for any help with these questions. Frank

If I had Monarch caterpillars, I'd be cutting the milkweed back to feed them. Cut it above a node and it will put out new growth. If you do it early enough, it will flower later in the summer. I've already pruned my common milkweed, that is after it flowered, I love the scent and the butterflies and other pollinators love the nectar. Hint: You can also do searches for information. For example, pruning, milkweed. Here is a link that might be useful: Search on

I don't think you need to bother doing that with SAC unless it is very young. The ones that benefit the most from this are those which have few vines or are thin and scraggly.

Ok Rob, Heres what I'd do.... The side shoots that you mention are also called suckers. I would pinch the tips of those first. In the winter when they're dormant you can dig those out and pot them up with out damage to either the parent or the baby. Next, how do you want to shape your tree? I try to train my trees to be just that, trees. One single trunk and more tree like. Some people like their figs more bushy with little or no trunk and just multiple smaller trunks. If you want a tree pinch the lower branch tips and start shaping your trees to what ever shape you want. It does sound like your chances of getting figs on this year are minimal. Good luck and I hope this was helpful. -Little John