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What’s wrong with my magnolia?

RobmarstonRobmarston Posts: 338
in Problem solving
I have a magnolia Stellata I bought last year. I planted it in April but changed my mind and moved it in June. It settled in well and this year flowered profusely. However, the leaves coming through are extremely small. It has plenty of them but they’re at least half the size they should be. What is wrong and what can I do to rectify this? Pictures attached. 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Thirst?   Last summer was hot and dry and this April and May have been hot and dry too so I would start by giving it a bucket of water, poured on slowly, once a day and then once every other day.  If you have hard tap water add some sequestered or chelated iron as magnolias prefer acid to neutral soil and don't take kindly to calcium.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • RobmarstonRobmarston Posts: 338
    I was wondering about that. I’ve just given it a soak and a mulch but I guess I’ll keep watering it. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Worth a try.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Yes, my Stellata (in a large container) looked exactly the same - it flowered but then the late frosts caught the emerging leaves and I don't think it's rained here since then.  There were also a few ants crawling around so looked for and found a few aphids.  I'm giving it 2 bucketfuls every 3 days and the newly unfurling leaves now look very healthy, with lots of new buds appearing on the branches, even very low down.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • RobmarstonRobmarston Posts: 338
    Thanks Bob. Glad to know I’m not alone and there’s hope! 
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