Re: drought and Magnolia

I wondered about that too but I thought the removal of the ivy competition for nutrients and water might help it. It does have a 4 foot high picket fence along its south side and is surrounded by lilacs except on its north side. Though the soil is bare of mulch, it is still covered for the most part with ferns, hosta, and Lily of the Valley. 
Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- From: "james singer" <islandjim1@verizon.net> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] drought and Magnolia
Did you mulch it after you ripped out the ivy? If not, could be its feeder roots are getting too hot and dry. 

On Aug 4, 2007, at 10:46 AM, Kitty wrote:
It has been 90s all week and will be all next week, possible rain tomorrow, but there just hasn't been enough. We had a very difficult dry spell early on from which I think I am now seeing the results on my once beautiful Leonard Messel Magnolia. (15 yrs old, about 15-20 ft tall)
A month ago I thought I had a dying limb and cut it off, which actually enhanced its structure so I didn't worry. But now it has dropped nearly all its leaves. However, it is developing next year's flower buds. It is in full sun and had been underplanted with thick ivy which I removed in March.
Do you suppose this is just a reaction to lack of water? and that it will bounce back next year? Any thoughts? 

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
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Island Jim
Southwest Florida
27.1 N, 82.4 W
Hardiness Zone 10
Heat Zone 10
Sunset Zone 25
Minimum 30 F [-1 C]
Maximum 100 F [38 C]

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