Star Magnolia

the owner got this tree from golden state bonsai collection north auction in 2003. it came from nursery stock. we cut the top off in 2005. and then grow new branches on this tree. it is repotted every year. it is very strong. in a few years we plan to show it.
this was fall work in 2008
November 22, 2008


after removing leaves


some area we have a lot of buds. they were thinned out


after cut back. lower right branch is still too small. it is not cut back.

Boon,

What is the size of the tree and what caused the brown leaves.
I am working on a Magnolia Stellata that I bought last year but I think it has a long way to go.
I particularly like the trunk of the one you have.

Dave Martin wrote:Boon,

What is the size of the tree and what caused the brown leaves.
I am working on a Magnolia Stellata that I bought last year but I think it has a long way to go.
I particularly like the trunk of the one you have.

Dave,
it is 10" tall (from the base to the top)
brown leaves are normal in fall the picture was taken in November. they are ready to drop. i pulled the rest off.
thanks,
here is the picture today

I have had a Magnolia stellata for a number of years with only one flower bud a few years ago...any recommendations for fertilizing or pruning?

beautiful. Once the branches start to thicken up and cut back again to ramify, I'm sure it will be awesome =D

John Quinn wrote:I have had a Magnolia stellata for a number of years with only one flower bud a few years ago...any recommendations for fertilizing or pruning?

John,
This tree has several flower buds each year. we intentionally keep 1 or 2 to enjoy. it is still a year or two away from showing. Magnolia bonsai usually do not carry as many flower as the tree in the ground.
We use non organic soil and no dust. Once the leave hardened off start to fertilize. We use fertilizer cakes on top of the soil till Fall(add and change several times). the liquid is used twice a month or more. so fertilize moderate to heavy. The goal for flowering tree like this is not trying to keep small leave. we never defoliate it.
I prune it only once May or June to2-4 leaves. and then let it grow till fall. flower buds will develop at the end of the branches. if the tree is prune after July, it is less likely to bloom.
Enjoy

sixhunter wrote:beautiful, once d branches start to thicken up and cut back agn to ramify, im sure it will b awesome =D

Thank you, sixhunter

Thanks, Boon.

I saw one of these at a local nursery with a nice base, but it would need to be chopped. Its also in a massive pot so would require plenty of root reduction. How much punishment can Star Magnolias take? Can they withstand a heavy chop leaving few branches, if any?

John Quinn wrote:Thanks, Boon.

John,
you're welcome

nip wrote:I saw one of these at a local nursery with a nice base, but it would need to be chopped. Its also in a massive pot so would require plenty of root reduction. How much punishment can Star Magnolias take? Can they withstand a heavy chop leaving few branches, if any?

yes, you can cut off quite a bit. We cut about 60% off the first time and then do more a year later.
So, plan to do it in 2-3 stages over 2-3 years. We bare root this tree when we repot. i think it is one of the easy tree to grow. have fun

Very good Job and great nebari, it like it!

Best regards,
Yannick

Boon you have inspired me to look for a Magnolia

Kind regards
Peter

ybonsai wrote:Very good Job and great nebari, it like it!

Best regards,
Yannick

Thank you, Yannick

landerloos wrote:Boon you have inspired me to look for a Magnolia

Kind regards
Peter

Peter,
this is my student's tree. i am looking for one for myself too. it is easy to grow.

I bought one of these 2as yrs ago and chopped it immediately and removed burlap sack and clay it was in. Strange roots indeed. It had quite a lot of flower buds on it. I removed them before they could open hoping to get some back budding. I was unhappy this spring with my previous soil mix so I depots into some surface and made some cuts between the large roots so I could ground layer it. It seems very tough though I think I pushed the boundaries. I have been waiting for a second push of new leaves and although late in the season I am getting them now. Will wait til next fall to get check status of ground layer. It is not extremely vigorous but hopefully next spring will see lots of new growth