Saturday, May 22, 2010

I have a magnolia "Betty", I need some growing details.?

Magnolia "Betty" is from a group of hybrids referred to as the "Little Girl Series". They include: Ann, Betty, Jane, Judy, Pinkie, Randy, Ricki, and Susan. They are the result of crossing Magnolia liliflora 'Nigra' (Lily Magnolia) with Magnolia stellata ' Rosea' (Star Magnolia). They where attempting to produce a Magnolia that flowers later than the Star Magnolia to avoid frost damage to the flowers. They tend to grow erect and shrubby to 10-20'. They flower before they leaf out. Sometimes they will sporadically flower again in summer. They are best grown in zones 4 to 6b. Foliage tends to become tattered and they are prone to powdery mildew. They also tend to produce water sprouts when they are stressed. Not all Magnolias are evergreen. 'Betty' is deciduous.





You generally do not prune Magnolia. Dead or broken branches can be pruned at any time. Prune lightly if you do need to prune/shape. Prune branches 1/2" or less. Heavy pruning can stress the tree and produce a profusion of water sprout growths.

I have a magnolia "Betty", I need some growing details.?
Magnolias like full sun and acidic soil, they are evergreens. They can be grown in pots, but prefer to be in the ground. Epsom salts sprinkled around the drip line is a great, inexpensive fertilizer.


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