Star Magnolia needs help.!!!

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Marley Farley, Oct 23, 2005.

  1. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    :( Hi all,
    I have a Magnolia Stellata, it is about 11.1/2 yrs old. I t is in a bed with perennials & bulbs. Anyway it has started to look a bit sick & I am not getting many flowers these last few years, Any ideas anyone, I feed it early autumn then in Spring after flowering. One of you has to come up with answer & I hope it isn't replace it..!!! :confused:

    [ 23. October 2005, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: Marley Farley ]
     
    Marley Farley, Oct 23, 2005
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  2. Paladin

    Paladin Gardening...A work of Heart

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    Marley,just called a pal who is v.keen on them and he suggested there might be a problem with compacted soil.
     
    Paladin, Oct 23, 2005
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  3. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] Never thought of that Palladin, it doesn't really get more than a tickle on the top few inches I suppose, thinking about it. I will go out & aerate the soil around it, give it a feed & mulch & see if it helps, tomorrow. Thanks very much for asking your friend Palladin. [​IMG]
     
    Marley Farley, Oct 23, 2005
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  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Marley, just off the top of my head so to speak, are you on alkaline soil, I'm not really sure without checking but I think they like it on the acid side. Could be wrong though. [​IMG]
     
    pete, Oct 23, 2005
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  5. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] I do have alkaline soil. When I planted . I dug a hole about twice the size put in a peat mixture then planted & back filled with this, as was recomended at the time. It has been very happy until the last few years. We have super soil which I mulch regularly & feed, but it could be that the peat mixture is used up now I suppose & it is drawing nutrients from lower down now. What do you think I should do?? :confused:
     
    Marley Farley, Oct 23, 2005
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  6. Fran

    Fran Gardener

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    How about when aerating it add some ericaceous compost - and give it a feed with some miracacid? Just a guess but it works with my camelia.
     
    Fran, Oct 23, 2005
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  7. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] Yes, could give that a try Fran. Thanks
     
    Marley Farley, Oct 23, 2005
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  8. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Sequestrine, works but its best to wait till next spring now. You can buy sulphur chips that you hoe in around the plant, which over a period of time make the soil more acid, but its a long job.
     
    pete, Oct 23, 2005
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  9. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] Sorry for not replying sooner Pete, seems I missed this one. I gave it a sequestrian feed last year for sure but not sure about this spring though. Have marked the calender to do it in the spring. I did it early last time, should I wait until it has/if it, flowerers this spring. Have aerated the soil around it as paladin sugested, & fed with some Miracid as Fran suggested, thought I would do that again, I don't know if it will help, but I feel evrything can only be a bonus. What do you think? :confused:
     
    Marley Farley, Oct 28, 2005
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  10. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I dont think sequestrine does any damage to any plant if applied correctly and according to the instructions, so I would use it anyway flowers or no flowers next spring. I think its getting a bit late for most feeds etc. now but it cant hurt to feed if you want to, its not as if its in a pot.
     
    pete, Oct 28, 2005
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  11. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] Thank's Pete, will do in the spring.
     
    Marley Farley, Oct 28, 2005
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