Why won't my Southern Magnolia bloom?

I have a healthy Southern Magnolia that is probably at least 12 years old (I have lived here 8 years and it was about 6 feet tall when I moved here). There is a "twin" of my tree down the street that I suspect was planted at the same time which has bloomed for the past 2 years. My tree is in mostly sun; I fertilize it with Holly Tone; there are azaleas around it that bloom. Each year there is a lot of healthy new growth but no blooms. Am I just being impatient? Maybe it takes decades for these things to bloom? It is just that my neighbor's tree is so pretty and no larger.

This message was edited May 22, 2006 1:27 PM

Seed grown southern magnolias do seem to take a little while to start blooming. However, I do have a dwarf form called "Little Gem" that is starting to bloom now and it is only 4ft tall.

I have a "sweetbay" magnolia planted a few feet from this one which I planted 2004 and has bloomed each subsequent year. The flowers smell like soap. And I have a saucer magnolia too that has bloomed since it was tiny. I don't know where my southern magnolia came from but suspect it was a nursery plant, planted by the previous homeowners. Well, I'll just have to be patient; I do have quite a few other trees and shrubs to enjoy in the meantime.

This may be out in left-field but don't they use the same chemical as found in apples to get pineapples to bloom? I've heard of slicing an apple in half and something in the apple promotes blooming? Someone correct me!

Here's a picture I took today of the blossom on my "Little Gem".

P_p, like stated above, a seedling Mag. grandiflora will bloom in its own time. Mine took about 15 years and the first couple of blooms were in the very top of the tree. Patience, patience. It will be rewarded.

Gorgeous bloom, escambiaguy.

I never heard of any bloom-inducing hormone; I guess that would benefit someone in the flower industry but now that I know I am not doing anything wrong with my tree I will let nature take its course.

The great thing about gardening is that something new is always peaking; as for me, my blueberries are almost ripe! And catalpas in the neighborhood are about to bloom. I will just enjoy my glossy magnolia leaves this year and await whatever comes.

Passiflora, you can pick up a 'Little Gem' at almost any nursery or Home Depot. Then you'll have blooms right away, and they are down at face level -- easy to catch a whiff of their strong, lemony scent. It's probably my overall favorite plant - you could never have too many!

Thanks; will look for one!