Flowering plants require a lot of light to bloom abundantly. This is because flowering and seed ripening requires a lot of energy.
QUICK ANSWER: Magnolia plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can also tolerate a lot more direct sun hours per day. In this case, you can get many flowers and vigorous growth.
Sunlight needs
Magnolias need at least six hours of direct sun daily for good flowering. The further north you go, the more sun it will require. For example, in 4 and 5 USDA hardiness zones, the sun exposure should be increased to 8 hours.
At the same time, a magnolia tree can tolerate full sun all day. This means you can plant it in an open place, and everything will be fine.
The exception is zones 9-10. Some magnolias still need protection from the mid-day scorching sun in those climates.
Read also: How To Grow Magnolias
Too much sun
There are cases where magnolia trees can suffer from excessive sun. The first of these is newly planted magnolias.
In the first year of life in a new location, the magnolia is just beginning to establish a root system. It often happens that the root system is not yet developed by mid-summer and cannot deliver enough water to the leaves.
As a result, the leaves may turn yellow or droop under the summer sun. Also, sometimes the leaf margin can get burnt.
To avoid sun damage:
- Plant or move magnolia exclusively in early spring or late winter. When doing this, be as gentle with the roots as possible.
- During the first growing season, shade the magnolia for the summer months. You can do this by using a garden umbrella.
- Check the moisture content of the soil regularly, and once it is 1-2 inches dry, water the magnolia with a gallon of water or a little more.
- Be sure to mulch it with organic mulch in a 2-3 inch layer, avoiding volcano mulching.
Sunlight deficiency
Full shade is where you don’t want to plant your magnolia in any way. In nature, these trees grow to a considerable size and are never placed in full shade.
You have to mimic the natural conditions to get abundant blooms and a beautiful crown.
If there is a lack of light, the magnolia can bloom very poorly or not at all. Also, its crown will be loose and less branched. Diseases and pests will affect such a tree much more often.
By lack of light, I do not only mean total shade but also insufficient sunlight hours. For example, if a magnolia gets 4 hours of light or less, this can be a problem.
Potted magnolias
As for potted magnolias, their relationship to the sun is a little different. You should not place them in full sun.
This is because the pot can get very hot and the soil will dry out quickly. The magnolia can suffer a lot as a result.
It is better to place the container in the semi-shade, for example, on the east side of the house. Four to eight hours of direct sunlight per day is optimal.
Also, ensure the pot is placed on the ground, not on concrete or tile. It mustn’t overheat. If possible, protect the container from direct sunlight.
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Can too much sun ‘burn’ the branches so they will not bloom again. ?
Too much sun is not capable of burning the branches so that they do not bloom. The branches are covered with bark that protects them from the sun, so you don’t have to worry about that.