How to Make My Magnolia Tree Break Bud

Magnoila trees look splendid in bloom.

Magnolia trees are a common sight in the South. Magnolias include both evergreen and deciduous forms, and are known for their large, fragrant blooms in the spring and summer. Many species of magnolia are native to the U.S., especially the southern states. There are over 80 varieties of magnolia trees and shrubs, and they come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Proper care will ensure your magnolia tree blooms when it should.

Things You'll Need

• Blankets
• Soil test
• 5-10-10 or 0-10-10 fertilizer
• Pine mulch

Instructions

1. Plant your magnolia tree in full to partial sun to be sure it gets enough light. Most magnolia trees need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day to bloom.

2. Check the magnolia for frost damage. If the winter was colder than usual or if there was a late spring freeze, the buds may have been damaged. Wait until next year for blooms, and protect your magnolia by wrapping blankets around it to keep the buds from damage in temperatures below freezing.

3. Perform an at-home soil test to see what sort of fertilizer you need, and to check if your soil is too alkaline. Too much nitrogen can keep the magnolia from flowering. In early spring, apply a 5-10-10 or 0-10-10 fertilizer to the magnolia to ensure proper development of buds. Add pine mulch to the base of the magnolia if the soil is above a pH of 5.0. Add a layer 2 to 3 inches thick at a diameter of 6 to 8 feet.

Tips & Warnings

• Healthy magnolia trees will break bud and bloom on their own.

References

• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Magnolia; Debbie Shaughnessy, et al.; May 1999
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Magnolias; Gary W. Knox; June 1993
• University of Illinois Extension: Saucer Magnolia