Most magnolia species form leaf and flower buds for the following year as early as November. With some magnolias, the flowers open first, followed by the strong green leaves. With late-flowering varieties it is usually the other way around. Flower buds are often located terminally, sometimes in the leaf axils.
Why don't magnolia buds open?
Magnolia buds usually form in November and open before the leaves. They are surrounded by a protective cover. If they don't sprout, it could be due to stress, location, incorrect pruning or lack of fertilization. Give the plant time, patience and optimal conditions.
Buds protect themselves from frost
Magnolia buds are surrounded by a firm, velvety or hairy covering that is intended to protect their contents from frost and other weather-related inconveniences. Only shortly before flowering do they break open and literally seem to explode. Many types of magnolias only have a short flowering period of a maximum of two weeks, although with the early flowering varieties the magic can quickly be over due to late night frosts. For this reason, good winter protection should also be provided for buds that are just breaking open, so that these promising signs of spring do not freeze to death prematurely.
What to do if the buds don't want to open?
Sometimes, however, a magnolia does not form flower buds orthe existing ones simply fall off. There are various reasons for this, although such behavior is not uncommon, especially with newly planted or transplanted magnolias. Such magnolias first have to become at home in the new location and develop roots. To do this, they need all their energy and initially neglect flowering. If you have a young magnolia that doesn't want to bloom: don't despair! Some specimens take years until they are mature enough to produce flowers. By the way, especially with star magnolias, the seed capsules should not be confused with the buds. So if the buds seem a bit strangely shaped, they are probably fruit heads with seeds.
Blooming magnolias only in good locations
The failure to form flower buds can also be due to the wrong location or the fact that you are keeping your magnolia in a pot. Magnolias need a sunny spot with humus-rich, acidic soil - as well as enough space to grow. If magnolias are pruned too often or at the wrong time, they often tend to bloom too slowly. You can stimulate the formation of buds by regularly applying fertilizer, with rhododendron fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon) being particularly suitable.
Tips & Tricks
If you have an indoor magnolia that is lazy to bloom: Put it outdoors, either in fresh soil and in a sufficiently large pot or straight into the garden. Magnolias that are kept indoors only bloom in very rare cases.