Magnolias Need Special Locations and Management

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?

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.

            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.

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.