Magnolia

[mousychicken23]

Hi

I have a quick question about my magnolia tree. I bought it last year but at the moment it just looks like a small stick in a pot. Shouldn't it have buds or something? I moved it into a bigger pot because it was in a tiny thing. Is it dead???

Thanks
mousychicken

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by mousychicken23

Hi

I have a quick question about my magnolia tree. I bought it last year but at the moment it just looks like a small stick in a pot. Shouldn't it have buds or something? I moved it into a bigger pot because it was in a tiny thing. Is it dead???
Thanks mousychicken

Yes, some buds would be expected - but it's probably worth hanging on to it for a couple of months before attempting surgery.

Potting on too early is a frequent mistake that people make with young plants. A plant can only grow in proportion to its roots and unless the root system has become well established in a small pot, it is no better off in a larger one. In fact the larger pot presents a possibilty of waterlogging and consequent rot, or at least encouraging the plant to invest in root growth without proportional top growth.

As a rule of thumb for all woody plants, if the root network has not created a web around 90% of the compost it has not outgrown its container.

CM

[tufftie]

You should be seeing buds by now..the only thing i can add, other than above, is very carefully make a tiny scratch and see if there's life under the bark.? (just under it though and a really really tiny scratch)

[mousychicken23]

I did scratch it a tiny bit but it was brown and not green .However there are some teeny weeny little buds. Maybe i did move it too early... but the pot was absolutely tiny for a tree. Anyway I will hang on to it and just see if it grows.

Thanks for your help

- mousychicken

[hank]

I'd leave it and see what happens!!
Unfortunately magnolias don't transplant well. Best of luck !

[mousychicken23]

I am not the best gardener in the world... my bonsai only lasted a few days

hmm... I always seem to pick the most complicated plants, hopefully the strawberries i am growing will last a bit longer
- mousychicken

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by mousychicken23

I am not the best gardener in the world... my bonsai only lasted a few days

hmm... I always seem to pick the most complicated plants, hopefully the strawberries i am growing will last a bit longer
- mousychicken

Plants that benefit wildlife are often the easiest to grow - have a look at the Top 5 shrubs thread for suggestions about some very easy and inexpensive plants.

And bonsai is very difficult, requires lots of attention, don't judge what you can achieve on the basis of that.

CM