Saucer Magnolia Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting instructions

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on November 17, 2022

There are cases in which a Saucer Magnolia Tree will survive in areas that receive some light shade. However, full sunlight will allow this plant to exhibit its best growth. The soil in your planting location should be deep, relatively moist, and somewhat acidic. To plant your Saucer Magnolia, begin by digging a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and about twice as wide. Water this plant while you backfill the hole, then cover the planting area with a layer of organic mulch.

Watering and nutrients

Your Saucer Magnolia Tree will need water on a consistent basis during its first year of growth. After that, this plant’s water needs will decline significantly. Typically, the only time that you’ll need to give water to an established Saucer Magnolia Tree is during the hottest months of summer, during which time you may need to water once or twice per week. It’s best to feed your Saucer Magnolia Tree with a balanced slow-release fertilizer once annually during the late winter or early spring.

Pollination

Saucer Magnolia trees, and other magnolia varieties, have a different pollination process than most other flowering plants. The magnolia genus evolved before many of the most common flying pollinator insects, like bees, butterflies and flies, which means that these plants cannot rely on them to conduct pollination. Instead, certain types of crawling beetles are responsible for conducting the pollen transfer for a magnolia tree. Also, since the Saucer Magnolia Tree is a self-fertile variety, a single plant is capable of pollinating itself successfully.

Pruning

You should avoid pruning your Saucer Magnolia Tree during the spring season. Pruning in early spring will likely cause you to remove the season’s flower buds, which appear on old wood. Spring pruning can also cause your Saucer Magnolia Tree to bleed a lot of sap. Plan your pruning for a time later in the growing season, such as late summer or fall, after your tree has finished flowering. At that time, you should perform light pruning to remove any dead, damaged or diseased parts of the plant.

Pests, diseases and animals

The sad reality of growing a Saucer Magnolia Tree is that this plant will likely encounter some form of infection or infestation during its life. The reason for this is that there are many pests and diseases that commonly afflict this plant. Scale insects and sap suckers are some of the most prevalent insects to harm a Saucer Magnolia. Additionally, diseases including blight, black mildew, dieback, canker and various forms of leaf spot may also be a threat to your Saucer Magnolia Tree.

Achieving maximum results

Along with the risk of pest infestations and diseases, cold weather is also a significant threat to your Saucer Magnolia Tree. Since this plant blooms early in the season with large petals, it is vulnerable to late winter storms and frost, which can damage the flowers and cause many of them to die before they have the chance to open in some cases. As such, it is often wisest to give your Saucer Magnolia some protection from cold and harsh winds to preserve the integrity of the blooms.

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