magnolia health - Ask Extension
A contractor planted a dwarf magnolia in our yard in November. It looked fine for a few months but now has browning, curling leaves, some of which are...
Knowledgebase
magnolia health #746643
Asked April 27, 2021, 6:01 PM EDT
A contractor planted a dwarf magnolia in our yard in November. It looked fine for a few months but now has browning, curling leaves, some of which are falling off. Do you have any advice for making this a healthier plant?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for the helpful image.
The rootball has dried excessively. Perhaps it's sheltered by the roof overhang, or you haven't watered it.
Even if it had rained this month, the tree is so close to the house the overhang would have prevented any, if at all, moisture falling on the rootzone.
The rootball has dried excessively. Perhaps it's sheltered by the roof overhang, or you haven't watered it.
Even if it had rained this month, the tree is so close to the house the overhang would have prevented any, if at all, moisture falling on the rootzone.
Here's what to do next:
- Even though the brown leaves look bad, don't remove them if they still have any green on them.
- Check the moisture content of the original rootball daily.
- - If it's dry, or dryish, set a drizzling hose directly on it for 20 minutes each day.
- - But if the rootball is wet, skip one day.
- - Continue through the summer, then gradually back off when the fall rains begin.
- Do NOT fertilize at all this year.
A bonus suggestion:
See the shoot at the left of the trunk coming from the ground? You need to remove it.
To do so, pull the soil away until you find its source, then pull it down so that it comes off cleanly, without a stub.
Next, replace the soil, then watch for more of such unwanted underground stems; remove them as soon as you see them.
Enjoy our garden and landscape!
