Magnolia "Little Gem" not growing - Jo, Sydney

Hi People,

 

                 I planted a Magnolia Little Gem a couple of years ago on our footpath - sun all day, watered about once a week.  It has flowered about 5 times, and seems healthy, but just doesn't  seem to grow much at all.   There may not be a huge depth of soil where we are (we're in Sydney, on the lower Nth Shore and we are on sandstone).  What should I do to help it to grow - or do I just wait. Regards Jo, Sydney. 

 Answer

 

 Hi Jo,

 

          Little Gem is a good choice,  they have a nice shape and are normally reasonably hardy.   They are a dwarf tree, only growing to 3.5 mtrs approx.  So, if your plant has reached this size, that is as big as they grow.   Little Gem Magnolias like a well drained, organic type soil ,which has a pH of around 5 to 5.5 .    From what you have told us I would suggest that you need to improve the soil and also the pH.   You can test it with a pH kit from your local nursery, and try fertilising in spring with some Azalea and Camellia fertiliser (this will help lower pH).  Firstly deal with drainage and dry spots,  I would use some Liquid Clay Breaker as there may be a hard layer under the plant,  also use some liquid wetting agent to overcome dry spots.   You may have to apply the above a number of times.   Next, improve soil fertility. I would use some sheep manure as a mulch around the base of the plant (just like is used around Roses) . By nature it is easy to spread and a good soil improver, without being too powerful.     Next use a seaweed based soil conditioner like Seasol, this will help the roots grow.    You can use all these products again elsewhere in the garden.  

 

Ps... you should also increase your watering a to three times a week to get the plant moving.

After a few weeks you should see improvement in the plant.    If you want an easy way to fertilise the easy way, use a slow release fertiliser such as Nutricote or Osmocote, these are designed to fertilise a bit at a time over a number of months. 

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