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Jun 13, 2016 7:26 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Carol H. Sandt
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Annuals Roses Peonies Region: Pennsylvania Region: Mid-Atlantic Hostas
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I have been reading that grafted roses and tree peonies should be planted so that the graft union is located below ground level so the host plant does not take over. Is this principle true of grafted magnolia trees too?

Should the graft union of my Magnolia Daybreak (planted spring, 2015) be below ground level? I could easily raise the soil level to bury the graft union.
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Jun 13, 2016 8:03 AM CST
Name: Sue
Ontario, Canada (Zone 4b)
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I'm not a magnolia expert but in most cases with woody plants the graft union is above the soil surface - one clue is the depth at which it was planted in the pot, assuming it was in a container.
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Jun 14, 2016 5:12 PM CST
Name: John
Scott County, KY (Zone 5b)
You can't have too many viburnums..
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No, emphatically!

In fact, most woody plants - grafted or not - should be planted so that their root flare (sometimes called basal flare) is at the soil surface. That is the point at the base of the trunk where you find roots branching off.

Do not rely on former planting depth in a container, or rootball, or otherwise. Too often in the production process, plants are either initially planted too deep or gain soil above the root flare by cultivation or other means. As young vigorous plants, this often has little effect. After transplantation to a permanent garden home, then trouble can begin. More woody plants die from this reason than almost any other, and mostly because of ignorance (simple lack of knowing, information) on the part of the consumer who has trusted that the professional will sell them a quality plant, or install said plant properly.

SO: check your Daybreak, and better - show us a picture of the soil line at the base of your plant. If you don't see the root flare evident, dig back some of the soil until you find the top of a root branching off - and take a picture of THAT. That is what should be up at the soil line - not burial of the graft union, unless you want to hasten the burial of your magnolia.
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Jun 15, 2016 8:28 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Carol H. Sandt
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Annuals Roses Peonies Region: Pennsylvania Region: Mid-Atlantic Hostas
Growing under artificial light Foliage Fan Daylilies Butterflies Bookworm Aroids
ViburnumValley said:No, emphatically!

SO: check your Daybreak, and better - show us a picture of the soil line at the base of your plant. If you don't see the root flare evident, dig back some of the soil until you find the top of a root branching off - and take a picture of THAT. That is what should be up at the soil line - not burial of the graft union, unless you want to hasten the burial of your magnolia.


Current root flare photo, as requested; no need for change, right?

Thumb of 2016-06-15/csandt/b8b05a


Entire plant:

Thumb of 2016-06-15/csandt/a66609

@ViburnumValley
Last edited by csandt Jun 15, 2016 9:39 AM Icon for preview
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Jun 19, 2016 10:20 AM CST
Name: John
Scott County, KY (Zone 5b)
You can't have too many viburnums..
Region: United States of America Region: Kentucky Farmer Cat Lover Birds Bee Lover
Butterflies Enjoys or suffers hot summers Enjoys or suffers cold winters Dog Lover Hummingbirder Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
No need for covering, other than keeping mulch around it for moisture retention.

The growth shown looks exceptionally healthy, so that's good. The graft and root flare shown look substandard, but with vigor the pruning cut in the image should close rapidly and provide a stable trunk for the plant.

You should regale us with future images of this plant as it continues to grow and flower.
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