Q. I have two dwarf magnolia trees in my courtyard in
front of the house. They started dropping leaves and they’re kind of scarecrow
looking. What do I do?
front of the house. They started dropping leaves and they’re kind of scarecrow
looking. What do I do?
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| The Mojave Desert is not the easiest place to grow magnolias. Magnolias, Southern Magnolias in particular, will have difficulty growing in a desert climate. |
A. Let’s get something out of the way early. This is not
magnolia country so they will require extra care and attention here. I hate to
sound like a broken record, but it is either water or soil improvement or both.
magnolia country so they will require extra care and attention here. I hate to
sound like a broken record, but it is either water or soil improvement or both.
Is it
planted in rock? That’s a mistake if they are. These are not desert plants so
they will not like rock. The soil around them should be covered with a 4-inch
layer of woodchips instead.
planted in rock? That’s a mistake if they are. These are not desert plants so
they will not like rock. The soil around them should be covered with a 4-inch
layer of woodchips instead.
 |
| Find the perfect spot, like planted in a lawn, and they may flourish for a few years. But don’t plant them in a desert landscape. |
How many
emitters do they have? They will need at least four if they are four or five
feet tall. These will be placed in a square pattern about 18 inches from the
trunk. This will be enough until they get about 10 feet tall and then you will
probably have to bump it up to about six or eight emitters spaced evenly under
the tree canopy.
Making
sure these trees get more water will stimulate more leaf development and a
denser canopy. The water should be on long enough for it to drain to about
18-24 inches deep after each watering. Use a steel rod like a 3-foot long rebar
to judge the depth of irrigation.
sure these trees get more water will stimulate more leaf development and a
denser canopy. The water should be on long enough for it to drain to about
18-24 inches deep after each watering. Use a steel rod like a 3-foot long rebar
to judge the depth of irrigation.