Magnolia Tree

Hi
I bought this lovely Magnolia tree from a local highly reputable garden centre some 20 years ago when it was just a foot high, it has only produced one flower in all of that time, could you tell me what I am doing wrong, please
Trish

 

I take it it's the evergreen m. grandiflora type? Mine has produced half a dozen I've seen in the same time frame, I've probably missed loads more as they blend in

 

You're not doing anything wrong, Trish! They're notoriously slow to start flowering. If you've got access to bonfire/ wood ash, try spreading some around to the same width as the top growth. Failing that, tomato food or any proprietary high-potash fertiliser...e.g. NPK 3:3:18

 

I bought a magnolia the size of a little twig and made the mistake of planting it into a half barrel instead of growing it on...in stages. Every year I'd become excited when it began to bud, thinking they were flowers! (They were leaves, of course)

It's about four years old(?) and about 2.5 feet high, so still quite small.
However... ta daaa!! Three flowers so far, gorgeous, star shaped, perfume filled heaven! I water it well and feed ocasionally, especially as the last couple of years have had very dry Springs.
I think it's a matter of patience, crossing of fingers and feed/watering regime.

Good luck with yours, weedaway. It looks a fine specimen.

ps I talk to it too, barmy biddy that i am...I think I threatened it a bit too.

 

I was at a garden centre yesterday where they had new grown baby Magnolias in flower already, have I chosen the wrong Magnolia variety.

 

I assume you're magnolia is a grafted plant of a named variety.
It looks in the picture to be in the shade of other trees and bushes, I think M. grandiflora needs full sun.
It would be the one I would grow if I had the space.

I have a small seed grown Magnolia that had it's first flower last year, its roughly 35years old