Another "Blooming" Magnolia........

I'd need a "bucket truck" to take pics up where the big blossoms are!.....Looks like a bumper crop of M. macrophylla seed is in the offing........

conifer50

I have been censored completely I guess

What I wrote was that I had to add to my "please conifer50, collect these seeds for me" list--first was Viburnum alnifolium, now Magnolia macrophylla

This message was edited Jun 13, 2006 12:15 AM

My my my, cat got your tongue Kevin?

OK I'll speak for Kevin. That is a beautiful monster Magnolia bloom on what looks like a monster Magnolia tree. Nice, Conifer50.

Add me to the list of pitilous, ingrate seed beggers. In fact, organize your list alphabetically so that I'm ahead of Kevin.

Scott

Please add me to your list of "seed beggars".

Coleen

Quote of the day.............."Seed for All"............only your patience is required!!!

conifer50

Kevin, how would I do with growing this plant where I live?

You should be ok Equil. Gene Coffman has one that's fairly old up in Dubuque Iowa. Morton Arboretum has a 1975 model there. Provenance no doubt will play a role. I doubt the Morton would miss a seed pod or two. I have one small plant that overwintered fine, and it gets good protection from wind. M. tripetala and M. hypoleuca are definitely hardy here and have the same monster leaf look.

I've got two M. tripetala here that were a gift out front flanking either side of my driveway so that as they mature they will be seen. Gosh, I love those trees and hope mine make it.

These particular Magnolia are fantastic looking in my opinion. I'm not all that familiar with M. hypoleuca so I need to go look that one up.

conifer50, please add me to your list of "seed beggers" if possible. I wanted some seed before but didn't want to ask if I didn't have a chance in H E double hockey sticks of getting it to survive this far north.

Equil, they will make it through Illinois winter temperatures, but perhaps not through ice storms, serious winds, or the kind of drought we had last year. I lost some really nice bigleaf and umbrella magnolias last summer because I couldn't pour enough water on them along with trying to keep all of our newer trees alive. Plant one, but be prepared to water it. As it grows bigger and bigger, that can be a challenge.

Guy S.

I planted each one on either side of the driveway close to the dul de sac in that lower lying area. I was sort of counting on the hydrology of the area kicking in for me. We'll see. I'm going to protect those two with insulated tree shelters for the next 3-4 years. I really don't want to lose those.

The drought last year was hideous but it was the worst in 100 years so here's hoping we don't have a repeat any time soon or our losses will be far greater than that which we have already experienced.

......Thought this made an interesting pic!!!

conifer50

There are many tripetala growing in zone 4a Minnesota. I have not noticed any storm problems up here, but they're definitely susceptible to frost cracking or sunscald. I never actually investigated to see which, but my guess is frost cracking. And although they seem vigorous enough, healing takes a very long long time up here.

Rick

Connie50!

That photo is remarkable!!! The sweetbay outside my window is visited every year by that very same type of insect. Often, they congregate in small groupings. Just noticed the first one for this year this afternoon. Anyone know what it is?

Scott

I love your bug conifer50 even if it doesn't have a voracious appetite for Japanese Beetles. Great photo.

I have some bugs that hang out on my young trees, I call them hiding bugs. They are always clinging to the stem. If I walk to the left side of the tree, the bug goes to the right side. If I walk to the right side, the bug goes to the left side. I have noticed them on my osage orange and also several young oaks. Any ideas?

I didn't know they ate Japanese Beetles, better & better! We call them stink bugs down here.

escambiaguy, It's hard to say. Quite a few bugs will do that. Any more details about it's size, shape, colors, etc. you can share?

They are black and more longish than roundish. They are quick moving and will fly if they have to. I will have to see if I can find one to get a picture of.