We recently moved into a new house and this lovely bush was covered in pussy willow type catkins It has now started to burst into beautiful white flowers. No leaves as yet
That would be the "Star Magnolia" or Magnolia stellata. Here is an article with more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/caring-for-star-magnolia-trees.htm
www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/propagating-magnolia-trees.htm : "...after the buds set." I would like to know what that means. First, does it refer to flower buds? leaf buds? either? Second, what is "set"? By what do I recognize "set"?
Magnolia send flower buds in late winter and early spring. The article states that this process will be done in summer, so this would imply that it would be the leaf sets that you will be looking for. In this case, set, refers to the action of pushing out buds. This is the term for bud growth, "bud set".
As long as you do this right after you start seeing new growth in the Summer, then you will do just fine. The reason for this, is that Flowering hormones inhibit Rooting hormones, and vice versa.
Just take as many as you can without taking all terminal ends from the tree. You will need as many as you can manage to get one good rooted cutting. These don't root very reliably.
It always blooms beautifully every year,but this year only one Lovely bud came out a few weeks ago,but alas no more to appear.
There are a few reasons this may happen. Many times, the soil pH is off and may need to be corrected.
Here is an article that will go over some of the most common causes:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/magnolia-blooming-problems.htm
We live in North Texas and this bush makes beautiful white fluffy flowers two to three weeks out of every spring and then remains green for the rest of the summer. Do you have any idea what it is
This is Magnolia stellata, or the Star Magnolia. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/caring-for-star-magnolia-trees.htm
high. Can I prune back to the where the green stem is? I planted this last May when it was in flower. Everything seemed ok with it but it has been very wet over winter and I have clay soil. I thought it may flower but nothing has happened as yet. When looking mor closely I think the branches are dead ( no green showing)
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through.
Saturated soils will be a problem for many trees and plants. so amending clay soil for drainage is a must. By now, you are experiencing this, first hand. You may lose the tree, but it will give you an opportunity to fix the soil for the next planting.
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/magnolia-tree-care.htm
My magnolia is in a large pot I’ve had it 3 years and the first 2/ it had a lot of flowers on it . This year I’ve only had 2/ flowers . Please advise
It sounds like it is in need of feeding! This is especially true if the tree has not been fed since it was placed.
Trees in container feed very slowly, so slow release fertilizer is the way to go. I would apply this once per year.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/growing-trees-in-containers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/magnolia-blooming-problems.htm
I planted a magnolia tree in Clay soil, I added sand to the mixture because that is all I had? Will the tree be able to survive in this? (Louisiana)
It may survive, but it will not likely thrive.
If you have access to anything, or the ability to compost, then this may help.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/ultimate-beginners-guide-composting.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/category/composting/ingredients
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/magnolia-tree-care.htm