saucer magnolia

Saucer magnolia should be watered during its active growing season, which begins in spring when new growth appears. Water the plant regularly every 7 to 10 days, depending on your local weather conditions. Be sure to check the soil moisture before watering as the soil should be allowed to partially dry out between waterings. The amount of water will vary depending on the size of the plant, and the size of the container it is in. For smaller pots, use approximately 2-3 gallons of water and for larger pots use 4-6 gallons of water. Water until the soil is saturated and water runs out of the drainage holes.

Saucer magnolias require full to partial sun exposure throughout the day for best growth and flowering. While they can thrive as long as they get 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, more light will result in more vigorous growth and bigger flowers. Magnolia soulangeanas planted in full sun tend to bloom sooner and more abundantly. Additionally, full sun exposure will cause the leaves of the plant to convert more energy from the sun into food, resulting in better overall health and a more robust flower production. When grown in shadier conditions, saucer magnolia plants tend to become leggy and bloom poorly.

Saucer magnolias should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just as the buds are beginning to swell. Start by removing any dead, diseased or crossing branches, as well as suckers from the ground. Remove any upright or vigorous shoots that are growing too close together. Generally, the key to good pruning is to remove no more than 1-third of the total branch material. Remove any small branches that are less than half an inch in diameter. Lastly, shorten any of the remaining large branches to shape the tree as desired. The cuts should be made just above a node or side branch, leaving a good callus to heal the wound.