MY MAGNOLIA TREE
"I have a magnolia tree (bought it on its trellis 2 yrs. ago)It flowers wonderfully, I water it regularly. The flowers last only 2 or 3 days, then turn brown, is this normal? It has grown quite a bit, and I seem to have many more blossoms. (I tried outdoor plant food, was this okay?) I'd like for the flowers to last longer. I live in Va. where they seem to be abundant. (new area for me, and new gardening experience!)
Muchas Gracias, Sonia"
The 2-3 day lifespan of your magnolia blossoms is perfectly normal, and there's not anything you can do make the individual blooms last longer. If you fertilize with a high-phosphorous fertilizer (something with a big middle number like 5-10-5 or 10-30-10) you might promote more blooms, but it won't aid in the longevity of the blossoms. You only need to fertilize once per year with a slow-release pelletized fertilizer.
