I planted my Teddy Bear 2 months ago in a well drained bed, morning sun & full sun till late day. It's mulched also. I think I'm keeping it moist but not too wet.

It consistently has had many partially brown, brittle leaves. The brown varies from spots to almost the entire leaf. The flowers also turn brown quickly.

What am I doing wrong? Too wet, too dry?

Answer #1 · Brooks Wilson's Answer · Hi Violet,

I've seen this condition before.

Too much water could be the case. When planting the tree did you make sure to not put soil on top of the root ball when planting? Putting soil on top of the root ball can cause the ground around the root ball to hold too much water thus drowning the new root system and causing root rot. Make sure the mulch is no deeper than two to 3 inches. Too much water results in browning at the edges of the leaves and/or spots on the leaves. The flowers wouldn't last as long either.

It might just be transplant shock. If the tree was balled in burlap or root bound in a container this would increase the level of transplant shock. When the root ball is root bound in a container it won't hold and absorb water and nutrients very well. Root bound is when most or all of the soil in the pot is gone. This will weaken the tree. If the tree was balled in burlap that means it was grown in the ground and then dug and balled in burlap. Usually the roots are damaged during this process and the tree can suffer from weakness.

Magnolias are known to lose leaves all throughout the year, especially heavy after blooming.

Here's what you can do:

1- Remove all of the affected leaves

2- Feed the tree with a slow release fertilizer such as Dynamite 14-14-14. Apply the fertilizer to the top of the root ball and just around it.

3- Just in case the tree is experiencing a fungus problem you may want to take precaution and spray the tree with Neem Oil or Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide. Neem Oil is organic and kills insects as well.

If you do all of the above and the problem continues let us know here on Gardenality and we'll advise you further.

Hope this helps you.

Brooks Wilson))

Answer #2 · Brent Wilson's Answer · The flowers on magnolia trees don't last long, maybe a day or two once they're fully open. Newly planted magnolias may drop most or all of their old leaves (last years leaves) after transplanting. As long as the newer growth looks fine, and if the tree is putting out new growth, the tree should be okay.)