My little magnolia tree budded for the first time in two years residence at this house in Parksville, B.C. I have been feeding it and watering it because I think it was on its last legs when we moved in in the midst of a very hot and dry summer. The problem is that the buds showed up in October/November and this is definitely not the time for a magnolia tree to bud on Vancouver Island. There were only three buds: one dropped off and I lopped off the other two. Then I got to thinking that maybe these large buds would have lasted through the winter into the spring and that I had murdered the first buds on this tree. They were about five to six inches long and about an inch to two inches in diameter. This tree has large, long, leathery, light green leaves and has a trunk diameter of only two to three inches. Did I do the right thing or should I have left the buds on the tree. I just didn't want it wasting its energy producing flowers with the frost on its way [which arrived this week, by the way] Bob
Deciduous Magnolias are heavily budded here in the Lower Mainland, I have been talking many clients out of pruning at this time and generally I like to schedule for late Spring after blooming has ceased.
bud murderer! Oh dear, I wish I had asked the forum before getting out the shears. Looks like I have destroyed the first blooming of the little tree--is there any chance it might set some new buds or is that it for next year. Regardless, I am pleased to see it set out some buds and if I have to wait another year, so be it. Looks like it is regaining some of its health. Bob
Another thing to consider is that once we can see the tree without leaves we also better see the vegetative buds on the terminal ends. These should never be pruned off but pinched off by hand if we feel the absolute need to force lower growth on the tree. The flower buds of the Deciduous Magnolias are our present from the tree to us. If the plants have to be pruned then do it after they bloom as we may not see another bloom for a while with some of the Deciduous Magnolias. The act of flowering in these trees actually does not require lots of internal nutrition in the plant to bloom, unlike some Spring bulbs of which if we pinch off the flower spike before it develops the bulb should get larger. Standard practice in Holland with Tulips and Hyacinths. The Magnolia will actually require more energy from reserves to leaf out after it blooms however. Yes, when in doubt ask as there are several people in this forum from various locations that know the do's and don'ts of pruning these trees. Some people never prune them unless they have to. Jim
