Is this tree a magnolia?

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I live in zone 7b. This tree looks like a dwarf magnolia. It is about 8-9 feet tall. I tried to propagate it a few times, but all were failed. Can anyone help to identify this beautiful tree and how to propagate it?
Thanks,
Tuan

IMG_3569.JPG
 

Meadowlark

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That is a beautiful specimen...possibly Catawba rhododendron. They propagate well from cuttings.
 

oneeye

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You can propagate using seeds but it's slow and will take a couple of years to stabilize. Cuttings would be your best bet for propagation. The best time to take a cutting is in the Spring. When the plant has fresh vigor and puts out new leaves in the Spring is the best time for taking cuttings off rhododendron or azalea.

  1. Select a healthy rhododendron plant
  2. Take a 6-inch cutting from a side shoot in spring or early summer.
  3. Remove the bottom leaves
  4. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone
  5. Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix
  6. Insert the cutting 1–2 inches deep
  7. Cover the pot with plastic wrap or place it in a mini greenhouse to create humidity
  8. Place the pot in a warm, shady spot
  9. Water regularly and monitor the soil moisture
  10. After about four weeks, the cutting should have roots and can be transplanted
How to root rhododendron cuttings in water
Take a cutting: In the summer, take a non-woody side shoot from a one-year-old rhododendron.

Prepare the cutting: Make a right-angled cut below a leaf node, and remove a strip of bark from above the cut.
Submerge the cutting: Place the cutting in water so that at least one leaf node is submerged.

Change the water: Regularly change the water to promote healthy roots.

Provide light and warmth: Place the cutting in an area with bright, indirect light and a warmer temperature.

Wait for roots: Roots should appear in 3–4 weeks, but it can take longer.

I use pure RO "reverse osmosis" or fresh rainwater for all my cuttings.

Good luck friend and if you need any help just let me know I will be glad to help if I can.

Transplant: When the roots are 1–2 inches long, transplant the cutting into a pot.
 
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Thanks for identifying this beautiful tree. I thought it was a small magnolia tree because it was not a shrub. From Wikipedia, Rhododendron is a genus of shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10–100 cm (4–40 in) tall, and the largest, R. protistum var. giganteum, reported to 30 m (100 ft) tall.

This Rhododendron had a lot of flowers without seeds. Last spring, I tried to propagate from cuttings but failed. I very much followed the above steps 1-9. The only difference was in step 5. Instead of using well-draining potting mix, I used sand and kept it very wet. The first two or three weeks they looked green. Fourth week and beyond, the half-cut three leaves from each cutting felt. No roots were developed.
 

Anniekay

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Thanks for identifying this beautiful tree. I thought it was a small magnolia tree because it was not a shrub. From Wikipedia, Rhododendron is a genus of shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10–100 cm (4–40 in) tall, and the largest, R. protistum var. giganteum, reported to 30 m (100 ft) tall.

This Rhododendron had a lot of flowers without seeds. Last spring, I tried to propagate from cuttings but failed. I very much followed the above steps 1-9. The only difference was in step 5. Instead of using well-draining potting mix, I used sand and kept it very wet. The first two or three weeks they looked green. Fourth week and beyond, the half-cut three leaves from each cutting felt. No roots were developed.
Take cuttings in fall and mix perlite and potting soil or vermiculite and potting soil half and half. Take 8- 10" cutting from non- blooming stems, remove all but top leaves, dip the stems in a rooting hormone, make a hole with a pencil and put them down deep and on the edge of a deep pot. Keep moist but not soggy and by the next summer or fall you should have well rooted cuttings
 

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Rhododendrons love a very acidic soil so avoid watering it with well or city water since it will likely raise the soils pH and then you have problems. Right now it looks like the bush is thriving. Very pretty.
 

Oliver Buckle

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Before I scrolled down I looked at it and actually said out loud "No it's a rhododendron" :)
Generally good advice above, the only thing I would add is before dipping in the rooting powder dip the cutting in water, it makes the powder stick better. Good luck.
 

Esther Knapicius

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Yep, like all said its a rhododendron.

while on the subject you should look up magnolia tree, there are so many types, none grow into shrub forms like a rhododendron. They are considered a tree shape, with a primary trunk etc. some have flowers as large as a platter. I happen to have 4 of them.
 

Oliver Buckle

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Yep, like all said its a rhododendron.

while on the subject you should look up magnolia tree, there are so many types, none grow into shrub forms like a rhododendron. They are considered a tree shape, with a primary trunk etc. some have flowers as large as a platter. I happen to have 4 of them.
If you ever make it to England Old Comp gardens near Sevenoaks is worth a visit. They have a few magnolias, with a particularly good, large, old one next to the house. We also go for the salvias, William Dyson, the chap that used to live there bred them and they have some lovely examples.
Sorry, not lived there, he was the curator of the gardens.
 

Esther Knapicius

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If you ever make it to England Old Comp gardens near Sevenoaks is worth a visit. They have a few magnolias, with a particularly good, large, old one next to the house. We also go for the salvias, William Dyson, the chap that used to live there bred them and they have some lovely examples.
Sorry, not lived there, he was the curator of the gardens.
run across several really neat ones here. remember we have LongWood Gardens 20 mins from me.
 

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