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Magnolia

Lisarc26Lisarc26 Posts: 33
in Plants
Hello Everyone,  I'd appreciate some advice please...
I bought a young Magnolia plant/tree in the spring, and it had been growing pretty well since I bought it around April/May, and was getting quite full with lovely green leaves.. However, since around July I've noticed it starting to look sick... grey scales on the leaves and some dark spots. I immediately tried fungus spray, and later I tried bug spray. But neither seems to have solved the problem! I asked a  local garden centre, and they also said its probably some sort of bug/insect attack, and I should try Rose Clear...
I just wondered if anyone else had any other ideas ideas or insight? Thanks in advance! 

Posts

  • Lisarc26Lisarc26 Posts: 33

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is it in a pot? What care has it had?
    There's absolutely no point in spraying a plant of you don't what the problem is. That can do more harm than good.
    It's possibly just shutting down for the season.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lisarc26Lisarc26 Posts: 33
    Yes, its in a pot. I was waiting for the autumn to plant it in the ground.
  • Lisarc26Lisarc26 Posts: 33
    Its had ericaceous compost added to the pot since I bought it, and fortnightly plant feed.
  • DaveGreigDaveGreig Posts: 189
    Plants at point of sale have been reared to look their best at that point. If they aren’t progressed into a better growing situation shortly after, they’ll go downhill very soon.
    If your magnolia has been in the same pot you bought it from the supplier in all summer then that’s your problem. It’s almost certainly pot bound, stressed and impoverished. Get it in the ground ASAP and don’t let it dry out. It’ll lose its leaves and hopefully revive next year. It might sulk for a bit though. It’s ok to plant potted plants out at any time, there’s no need to wait.

  • Lisarc26Lisarc26 Posts: 33
    edited August 2023
    OK, noted! Thank you for the advice Dave. Much appreciated. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - if it's been in the same pot, and only in compost, that's no use long term. 
    Prepare a good planting hole, and get it in there. A sprinkle of bone meal will help with the root system, and make sure it's watered well until you have cooler temps and appropriate weather for keeping it moist. It can be planted at any time, but it's better to avoid planting shrubs and trees through summer because of the problem of watering. In wetter parts of the country, that doesn't matter. I can plant shrubs and trees at almost any time of year for example.  :)
    It isn't a good idea to keep feeding any plant so much, especially shrubs. Feeding is only needed for herbaceous plants and climbers that produce a lot of flowers,  or annuals etc. Feed the soil by adding organic matter, and especially in late winter to help preserve moisture if you have lighter soil. This is where your location and conditions have a big impact on how your plants grow  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lisarc26Lisarc26 Posts: 33
    Thanks Fairygirl... this is very helpful! Yes, I was trying to avoid planting it in the ground during the summer, as London always seems to end up with a hosepipe ban during summer! So I was trying to keep it in the pot until summer passes, so I can move it around the garden out of full sun exposure if the temperatures became too scorching!
    But I will take the advice and plant it in the ground ASAP! (Haha..😄)
    Thank you!

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