Yellow Butterfly Magnolia?

I recieved a Yellow Butterfly Magnolia for a gift 3yrs. ago. It is planted in a full sunny location, watered as needed. I noticed several homes in the surrounding towns with these and all had loads of lovely blossoms but the trees themselves looked tiny compared to mine. Mine has been growing and filling out nicely over the last three years but has not given a single bloom. I live in North Central Ma., what can I do to encourage blooms next spring? The tree is solo in it's location as it will hopefully someday be a show stopper in my front yard ,so it is not competing with any other growth.

Yellow Butterfly Magnolia?
Many Magnolias take time to bloom....it is not unusual for a tree to take 3-5 years....some in the Magnoliaceae Family can take from 7-10 years after planting to bloom.





In Nurseries they force the plants to bloom thru manipulations with Over Fertilization....Large dose of Plant Hormones.....this produces quick flowers at the nursery to temp you to buy...but all it is doing is stressing the plant into flower production.





Let nature take its time, and it shall reward you in Bounty!
Reply:Is sounds beautiful, and healthy. I suspect that it has gotten plenty of nitrogen but may be lacking a bit of phosphorus. Try this:


"...make holes around the drip line of the tree, 6 inches apart and 8 to 12 inches deep (a crowbar works great), and add super phosphate (0-20-0) and your recommended micronutrients according to the directions on the bags."





Phosphorus = potassium when looking for what you need at the store. N-P-K, it is the P.


I sure hope this will make all the difference in the world for ya! I love a magnolia tree.


Happy Gardening.