Question
QUESTION: Hi Tom - I have a beautiful Michelia yunnanensis (scented pearl) plant that started blooming and opening into beautiful white flowers just over four days ago. Thing is, the white petals are dropping off really quickly - they last maybe one day after they've opened, then they drop.

I've never owned a michelia before - is this instant shedding of petals normal? They are in a very wind-protected position; I even took the plant inside last night to see if I could salvage some petals, but there was still a little mound of white this morning. The person at the garden yard had told me the flowers last a long time so I'm quite worried. Is it some kind of stress reaction perhaps?



ANSWER: Hi Dom,
Thanx for your question.  Where are you located?  This plant has been reclassified as Magnolia dianica and it comes from tropical/subtropical areas of China.  It is relatively new to the U.S. from what I have read because I had never heard of it before.  It seems somewhat popular in Australia.  It likes diffused not direct sunlight and requires slightly acidic, moist soil.  It will probably tolerate cold down to about 20癋/-7癈.  Dropping flower petals can be due to lack of nutrition or too much water.  Have you noticed if there are any insect pests?  The magnolia family seems to be relatively disease and pest resistant.  Let me know where you're from because this is a shrub/tree that usually blooms in the spring in the northern hemisphere so if it's blooming for you now, are you in Australia or South Africa or New Zealand?
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom, thanks for your response :)  Yes I'm in Australia and it's mid-spring at the moment.  Unfortunately, it's been very windy / rainy for the last week as opposed to the previous sun-drenched and warm week. I have not noticed any pests.

Answer
Hi Dom,
Thanx for the additional information.  I would imagine that all the rain and wind has aided in your plant's lack of performance.  As I noted above, the plants are best blooming in the spring and once normal warmth and sunlight return, I believe your plants will recover.  We don't have a whole lot of information on this plant up here.  At least, I don't.  I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.
thx,
Tom