My garden experenced a deep freeze for one week early this year. All the dead smaller branches of my M. alba were totally pruned off. The new leaf buds are growing.

One thing for sure that this plant is very-very hard for rooting. However, you can use another small Magnolia to do approaching graft in June. I often make a few grafts every year.

I have had Michelia Alba, and Michelia Champak for the past 3 yrs and planted them in the ground. I protect them during the winter by covering the ground and wrapping the plant nicley with plastic sheet, I saw the Alba bloom the year I bought and only couple of flowers and it hasn't bloomed since then, please tell me what I need to do for it to bloom. I also have Michelia Figo in the ground and it blooms regularly and especially this year I had very good blooms. Please help me with the other two.

Jyothi, It is hard to know the real cause of the problem. If your plant looks good in proper sunny location, then fertilizer is important. Find one would promote blooms and follow the direction. Remember that the soil in Texas can be on alkali side which will lock up certain plant nutrients. Investigate the cause then make a calculated improvement.

Thanks longriver. Once I get up the courage I will try pruning a bit. I have no experience at all with grafting. Maybe this is a good time as the spring growth takes place?

The nursery owner told me this plant is 8 yrs old and from a cutting taken from a private gardener. He claims it is from a plant from China, rather than N. American stock. He wanted to sell me some smaller plants taken from this larger specimen (also from cuttings) but finally was willing to part with the large "mother plant." It is now on a second blooming with several buds on each branch terminus.

Jyothi, my plant is indoors so I think my situation is a bit different.

Longriver, thank you very much, I think fertilizing is the problem with those plants last 2yrs I was out of country during May-Aug so I think I was not fertilizing with the correct fertilizers. I read about those plants on the forums and others suggestions and articles on Alba's this year I am going to fertilize it properly and see if it will bloom for me.

Charlottelily, I didn't see any pictures of your alba's please post them if you can.

I'll try again:

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Fantastic plant. It can not be better. You are a Master gardener!

Oh I cannot take any credit as I've only had it for 4 months. This was the nursery owner's own plant - he had it hidden away in his office, but showed it to me after we had a long conversation about m. alba. It was so much nicer than the other specimens he had for sale.
My challenge is to keep it healthy. I already felt so bad when I went on 11-day holiday and it dropped some leaves.

Wow charlottelily, I am beginning to get a little jealous about your plant and flowers. Sorry, just kidding, but I love to the see such plants in bloom. In my culture these plants are called heavenly plants and the flowers are mostly used for offering to the lord. Ofcourse we wear them in our hair also. These,Jasmines, and some of the fragrant flowers are called heavenly flowers. I have a great respect and adore these plants and flowers.