🔵 Crape Myrtle, #2340

Lagersroemia indica, Crepe Myrtle Dwarf Pink bought at SBBK 2023 Green Elephant auction for $25.

The Crepe Myrtle is a subtropical deciduous tree with beautiful pink, white or purple flowers and smooth beige dappled peeling bark.

Critique/Plan: the central trunk is too straight without much interest. May force a more dramatic angle (using raffia) or chopping above a lower branch in the same direction.

After losing all foliage this winter, by late Mar 2024 it is awake—having lowered flag-pole branch

Sep 23, 2023 acquired

Watering

During the growth period the Crepe Myrtle needs a lot of water and must not dry out. Try to provide sufficient humidity. Water less in winter during dormancy.

Fertilizing

Use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. You can also apply a solid organic fertilizer.

Pruning/Wiring

Prune the tree at the end of the summer season. This will encourage bud production for the following year. Wiring is possible but precautions should be taken not to damage the beautiful bark of the Crepe Myrtle. Wrap Paper or tape around the wire before winding it around the branches and remove the wire in time. Whenever possible, use guy-wires instead.

Repotting

Repot the Crepe Myrtle every two or three years. Use a soil mix containing two-fifths organic ingredients. You can also add some organic fertilizer to the soil to promote healthy growth.