Question From:
pamela forehan in kings park, melborne VIC
Nature of problem:
my little gem magnolia has produced a brown deformed flower. same colour as back of leaf. what has caused this ?
Type of Plant (if known):
magnolia little gem
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
plant has been in the ground 7 months. it has just produced it’s first flower. brown and deformed.
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
clay/loam with a couple of buckets of compost added when planted.
How often do you water the plant:
twice a week in the warmer months & when it’s looking a bit dry in winter.
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
this time of the year about 6-8 hours. it’s facing north but shaded by a large hibiscus, at the hottest part of the day.
What type of plant is it:
magnolia, little gem
How long since you planted it:
7 mths ago.
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
yes twice. sept & january with camellia food.
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
in the ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
i sprayed leaves with a fungicide as directed by my local nursery.
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
nothing much else to say. just very disappointed,after seeing the beautiful flowers on my daughter’s plant.
Answer: Hi Pamela, This is not a catastrophic event. Without photos of the plant & the dead flower, I can’t help much, however. Sort of like telling the doctor in his surgery that your daughter at home is sick. The things that the doctor needs to see for diagnosis are not there for him. I suggest that you dig some shallow holes in the soil around the plant to see if it is really dry. If it is, use some Seasol Super Soil Wetter. I am not greatly worried by what you have told me: stop fertilising and using toxic sprays, but keep up the watering and see how it goes. Don
