Advice for sick Kay Parris Magnolia plant?

The plant is stressed, no doubt. Remember plants get plenty of TLC in the nursery, and you’ve dropped in into hot sun without protection. I agree, they don’t like wind, & they don’t like wet feet either. It’s been pretty warm too this last fortnight don’t forget, I’d up the irrigation for at least a week to see if it improves. I hate losing expensive plants…

We have two Kay Parrises in large pots – not in an ideal position (some afternoon sun/winds), and while they have a few windburn patches on some leaves, they’re glossy and thriving, growing faster than I would expect from magnolias. (We also have a hedge of port wines on the eastern side of the house that are pretty slow-growing).

What was the root ball like at planting? Was it pot bound at all? Did you tease the roots out? If not, the roots may just be growing round in circles rather than expanding out for nutrient uptake. The plant won’t have any specific problems, just generally sickly as yours looks.

Magnolias tend to like sunny but sheltered spots away from the afternoon sun and hot winds. They can suffer from wind burn, which looks rather like what you have in the photo. I have my two, a Vulcan and a Port Wine, in a well sheltered corner of the yard that gets the morning sun but is protected from the wind.

Is the second one closer to the house or more protected from the wind? You could try replanting the ailing one somewhere more sheltered.