Magnolia stellata (common names: Star magnolia)

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  • Magnolia Stellata (Magnolia stellata)
    By The_Norf..

Magnolia stellata (aka Star magnolia)


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Members growing this plant

  • DaveDarwent

    Davedarwent

    joined 11 Nov, 2007

    40 plants

  • Sid

    Sid

    joined 29 Feb, 2008

    64 plants

  • gardener15

    Gardener15

    joined 15 May, 2007

    4 plants

  • majeekahead

    Majeekahead

    joined 18 Oct, 2007

    398 plants

Questions on Magnolia stellata

BumbleB

Bumbleb

21 Nov, 2007

3 replies

magnolia stellata

I bought this shrub many years ago but it grew very slowly. I moved it and it began to grow and grow. Last year I cut it back but it has now grown massive. Can I cut it right back ive heard it is not a good idea to prune too frequently
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Crazyzorse

Crazyzorse

26 Feb, 2008

1 reply

Aerial layering – when should I sever the cuttings from the parent plants?

Last year I tried aerial layering a Magnolia stellata. Amazingly, it worked! I unwrapped the cutting in late winter/early spring while the tree was still dormant and there were some lovelly thick white roots wound round the inside of the bag. However, after the cutting was severed and potted up, the buds shivelled and no leaves broke out in the spring. Can anyone tell me what went wrong? I'm trying again this year and I'm itching to unwrap the cutting, but I don't want it to die when I pot it up again. How can you tell when to sever it?
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liz

Liz

13 May, 2008

7 replies

growing site of magnolia stellata

my mag stell not very successful this year whats the best site? planted two years ago in shaded position had plenty of 'pussy willows' but not many flowers
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Smudge

Smudge

14 Jun, 2008

3 replies

My Magnolia Stellata appears to be dying

My Stellata appears to be dying. It had an abundance of flowers when I bought it but only a handful of leaves followed and the branches now appear to be dying. This was an expensive purchase and I am trying to preserve it, can you help?
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Comments on Magnolia stellata

maple

Maple

21 Nov, 2007

 

Hi Teresa I found you question in the plant section and tried to answer there.
http://www.growsonyou.com/plant/Magnolia_stellata

Don't know if it will help but the webpage in the reply might. Good luck

On question - magnolia stellata

AndrewR

Andrewr

21 Nov, 2007

 

Magnolia stellata is compact in youth but eventually will reach about 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Now you know what you're up against, you can make an informed decision as to what to do. In general, magnolias resent root disturbance but spring would be the best time if you have absolutely have to move it

On question - magnolia stellata

volunteer

Volunteer

22 Nov, 2007

 

Unfortunately, magnolias often regrow with very long straight growth that spoils the overall shape. Good luck.

On question - magnolia stellata

AndrewR

Andrewr

27 Feb, 2008

 

Magnolias absolutely HATE root disturbance. I would be inclined to use something biodegradable and plant that so the roots can grow through it. And do it just as growth is beginning for the new season

bonkersbon

Bonkersbon

13 May, 2008

 

Hi Liz cant think of an occassion when seen Magnolia growing in shade.Almost always in open aspect with as much sun as possible.Most appear to enjoy a spot on their own with no immediate competition not too fussy about soil types but need good drainage.

Sid

Sid

13 May, 2008

 

My Mag stell is in sun for most of the day, but I think they like to have shade at the roots - mine has a path built over the roots and seems to like it that way!

AndrewR

Andrewr

13 May, 2008

 

Magnolias really resent root disturbance. If you have to move it, early spring is your best chance of a successful transplanting

Wyeboy

Wyeboy

15 May, 2008

 

I would suggest moving it late Autumn ,If it has only been in situ. for 2 years you should be able to dig well away from the roots and get a good removal without too much disturbance, but be careful water well before starting and puddle in afterwards.

hedgehogg

Hedgehogg

15 May, 2008

 

I have a stellata which flowers. I have it in west facing sunny position sheltered from wind and planted in pot in ericaceous (acid) soil. I have heard they dont like cold winds and dont like to be east facing as they dont like sun to hit them in frost. And they like acid soil. Good luck with your stellata.

hedgehogg

Hedgehogg

16 May, 2008

 

just to say i looked up magnolias on bbc gardening and it says although most magnolias prefer slightly acidic soil stellata is ok in alkaline. However i have put mine in acid as thats what it said on pot and it seems to be happy.

bonkersbon

Bonkersbon

22 May, 2008

 

Think this a bit of a myth Hedgehog as used to live on edge of Chiltern hills in south UK and high in chalk - alkaline conditions and Magnolias far more common than here in north - acidic conitions.There is a climbing magnolia that can reach 40 feet or more and seen this growing out of chalk soil.

lindak

Lindak

14 Jun, 2008

 

I tried twice to grow this in my garden, and I thought that I did all the right things but they just died and I wondered if they didn't like the soil.

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

14 Jun, 2008

 

I'm afraid I didn't succeed with one, either. My soil is neutral loam. I think they prefer a more acid soil. I had one in Kent on clay and it flourished!

ColinP

Colinp

26 Jun, 2008

 

I found your question whilst searching for information about why my M.stellata has just decided to die. Mine is (was?) over 20 years old, growing in semishade in a fairly good, slightly alkaline, loam. It flowered well, as usual, this year - a bit of frost damage to the flowers but nothing untoward - then in early June it started to look sickly and now looks on its last legs. I suspect drought - we're on the NW coast and the spring was very dry - no real rain for six weeks. It apparently comes from a boggy area of Honshu so probably doesn't like drying out. Whether it will come back now it has started to rain in earnest? I've mulched it with garden compost. If it looks like recovering I'll post another message. We also have lost a Cornus capitata which often got drought stressed so lack of water must be a prime suspect.

Members' notes...

DaveDarwent

Top Border

Sid

Gorgeous pure white flowers with slender petals. Looks great against a dark green background.

gardener15

Bought as a young plant, only three feet high. Placed in light shade seems to like it, but only planted in October.

majeekahead

bought from michael april 2008 - lovely little baby currently in a pot in greenhouse.

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