Over 100 dissimilar coinage of magnolia trees or bush live , and even more bit of ornamental cultivars . Overall , these plants are not " heavy feeders"–plants that maturate well only if given very rich stain with large , unceasing supplies of nutrient . To lessen the motivation or interest of have to fertilize magnolia trees , establish them in idealistic growing conditions . magnolia grow best in a moist , well - draining soil that is plenteous in organic issue and does not have an alkaline pH.

Soil Test

Hubert Conlon of the University of Tennessee Extension Service urges you to conduct a soil test . Plants necessitate nearly 20 nutrient , and sleep with which ones are uncommitted to the magnolia tree in your garden allow for you to objectively decide whether to fertilise or not . A small sample of soil is demand and analyse by extension Robert William Service position or a private laboratory , and a results sheet is provided to you revealing all qualities and nutritionary components of your ground .

Symptoms of Nutrient-Deficient Soil

Several thing can occur on magnolia trees that may argue a lack of nutrient in the soil . A want of prime yield in saltation is one factor , especially if the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is receiving ample sun photo . The color of leaves is important , too . Stunted growth and yellow leave in natural spring or summer can indicate a lack of nitrogen , Mg , atomic number 26 or other suggestion mineral . lot of leave , no bloom and very dark green leaves may indicate an over - abundance of nitrogen . The grime test provides the necessary insight to determine if any supplemental impregnation is required to chastise the situation .

Types of Fertilizer

synthetical ( homo - made ) fertiliser merchandise are either slow - release granule or in water - soluble form ( gunpowder or liquid state ) . tone slow - release granules are the best choice as they disgrace tardily , supply nutrients to the magnolia tree ’s roots over the entire grow season . Based on your soil analysis resultant , choose a slow - release fertiliser that repair for any deficiency . Typically , any all - purpose formula suffices , such as 10 - 10 - 10 with micro - food . Since magnolia trees also grow sound in acidic soils , often an acid - forming plant food is used . Such products lower the soil pH while providing food and should be investigated for usage if your soil is achromatic to alkaline in pH. If your soil already is in the pH range of 5.0 to 6.5 , an acid - forming fertiliser is n’t warranted .

Timing

The honest time to apply synthetic slow - freeing fertilizers for magnolia Tree is from late fall ( after foliage fall ) through to other saltation , according to the University of Tennessee Extension . John Marlar of the Mr. Grow website recommends fertilizing in early give . count on the quality of your soil and the dose recommendations on the plant food product recording label , you may fertilize doubly annually – in other spring and again in fall after the dusk frosts have pass off and the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is no longer growing .

The Role of Mulch

hold an organic mulch over the root zone of magnolia trees provides many benefits , include supplying suggestion food as the mulch decomposes . The mulch mimics the raw forest base condition where magnolia are native so that the soil is forever being establish up and refill with lots of decay organic thing . Mulch alone can prolong the health of a magnolia tree diagram if there are no major nutritional deficiency in the garden soil . Create a mulch blanket about 3 inches deep and protract it out 3 feet or more past the reach of the tree ’s branches . If you select to use synthetic fertiliser granules , just scatter it atop the mulch as rain will move the food down into the soil .

References

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