How to Properly Fertilize Your Crape Myrtles
- Choose Your Fertilizer We at The Crape Myrtle Company like to keep things simple. The less complicated, the better! ...
- Fertilize in Spring Begin fertilizing in Spring with the fertilizer of your choice (liquid, slow release or granules), when the first leaves start to appear. ...
- When to Discontinue Fertilization and Regular Watering
When do I fertilize crape myrtles, and with what?
When do I fertilize crape myrtles, and with what? Answer: Apply a high-nitrogen or all-nitrogen lawn-type fertilizer in early spring, to stimulate new growth, and again in late spring, to keep them actively growing into the summer. Flower sprays are produced on the current season’s new growth.
How do I choose the best crepe myrtle fertilizer?
What’s the best fertilizer for Crepe Myrtles?
- What’s the best fertilizer for Crepe Myrtles? Crepe Myrtles does not need any special fertilizer to grow. ...
- How to properly fertilize your crepe myrtle? Crepe Myrtle can bloom on new growth. ...
- Are coffee grounds good for Crepe Myrtles?
How to prune crepe myrtles the right way?
- Crepe myrtles grow flower buds on new growth, so you should still get blossoms as long as you leave enough time in the growing season.
- If leaves haven’t yet or have just barely appeared, it should be safe to prune your plant. ...
- Pruning before leaves sprout on the tree is also helpful because you get a clearer view of which branches to cut.
How to prune your crape myrtle?
Tools Needed:
- Bypass Pruners for up to 5/8″ branch diameter
- Lopper Pruners for up to 1-1/2″ branch diameter
- Gardening Gloves recommended
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What kind of fertilizer is best for crape myrtles?
Use 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8, or 16-4-8 fertilizer. A granular product works well for crepe myrtle. Take care not to overfertilize. Too much food for crepe myrtles makes them grow more foliage and fewer flowers.
How can I make my crepe myrtle bloom more?
Crape myrtles need to have new growth each spring in order to produce summer flowers. These flowers come on current-season growth, so late winter/early spring fertilization can aid crape myrtle flowering in the summer. It is not too late to fertilize this year if you haven't yet. – Shade.
Is Epsom salt good for crape myrtle?
Crape Myrtles bloom with a dose of Epsom Salts. Two: In order for your Crape Myrtle to bloom you may want to try this cocktail (for the Crape Myrtles, not you) Mixone tablespoon of Epsom Salts into one gallon of water and pour around the roots of the plant. Repeat for the others, using one gallon per plant.
Is it too late to fertilize crepe myrtles?
During its first year, fertilize your crape myrtle three times: once during early spring, again in mid to late spring and one final time in late summer to promote blooming during the fall. After the first year, crape myrtles require fertilization only once a year during the spring and prior to blooming.
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
Leaving it alone will result in a pretty raggedy-looking tree, and it won't grow as quickly either. The new growth will emerge on its own from the fresh cuts, and if you trim at just the right point, you'll encourage way more blooms to appear.
What do you do when your crape myrtle doesn't bloom?
Crepe myrtle not blooming due to lack of sun The crepe myrtle requires significant sunshine in order to bloom. If you have a crepe myrtle not blooming, it may be planted in a bad place that lacks sunshine. Take a look around and see if something is blocking the sun from the tree.
How often do you fertilize crepe myrtles?
every two weeksEstablished, well rooted, Crape Myrtles are heavy feeders. Lightly fertilize every two weeks throughout the spring and summer months. This will promote optimal new growth. Remember, Crape Myrtles only bloom on new growth.
Why are the leaves on my crepe myrtle turning yellow?
The two main reasons a crepe myrtles leaves turn yellow in the summer are poor soil drainage and lack of water. Considering that the summer months can be tough on your plants, not giving a crepe myrtle plenty of hydration can lead to serious problems.
Is Osmocote good for crape myrtle?
Best Fertilizer for Crepe Myrtle However, if you are using a 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 solution, follow the same rate, but reduce the amount of fertilizer to half a pound. Opt for a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote, or any 10-10-10 all-purpose fertilizer containing trace minerals.
Can you overwater a crape myrtle?
Take special care not to overwater your Crape Myrtle, especially during the spring and summer months when the plant is actively growing. Overwatering your Crape can cause its flower production to be stunted or lead to root rot and other problems.
When should crepe myrtles be trimmed?
February is a good time to prune crape myrtles. It should be done before fresh growth appears in March. Its toughness makes crape myrtle a popular plant. They are fast-growing and highly adaptable.
Do you prune crape myrtle trees?
When should I prune? Crapemyrtle trees bloom on the new growth, so any pruning that is needed should be done prior to new growth beginning—for most of the south, this will be from mid February through mid March.
When should I fertilize myrtles?
Fertilize in Spring. Begin fertilizing in Spring with the fertilizer of your choice (liquid, slow release or granules), when the first leaves start to appear. Established, well rooted, Crape Myrtles are heavy feeders. Lightly fertilize every two weeks throughout the spring and summer months. This will promote optimal new growth.
How often should I water my crape myrtle?
This will ensure the young roots spread properly and become well established. Always water your Crape Myrtles after applying your fertilizer. Then water once a week, or more often if you live in a dry, arid climate. 3. When to Discontinue Fertilization and Regular Watering.
How long do crape myrtles bloom?
for detailed instructions. These are the simple Secrets for growing Crape Myrtles that bloom for 5 or even 6 months per year. Remember Crape Myrtles are different from any other woody perennial in that they bloom on NEW GROWTH MADE IN SPRING AND SUMMER.
What is the best fertilizer for soil?
The easiest to use and most well known fertilizer is Miracle Gro.
Do you have to prune a crape myrtle in winter?
It essentially toughens up the plant so it may withstand the drier, colder conditions of winter. It's during this winter dormancy that you'll want to prune your Crape Myrtle if you so desire. See our.
Do crape myrtles bloom all summer?
Everyone wants to get the most blooms from their Crape Myrtles. By following these simple instructions your Crape Myrtles will bloom all summer long and amaze your friends and family. One rule of thumb to always remember, Crape Myrtles Only Bloom on New Growth! So more new growth equals more blooms.
How to stimulate a new growth of a crape myrtle?
For an extra boost, you can water your newly planted crape myrtle with a solution of Root Stimulator, which stimulates early root formation and stronger root development. Root Stimulator reduces plant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants. During the First Active Growing Season.
What is the best soil for crape myrtle?
Crape myrtle grow best in an acid to slightly acid soil ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil, or whether or not it's suitable for growing crape myrtle, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area.
How to raise pH in soil?
To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.
What is the pH of a crap myrtle?
Crape myrtle grow best in an acid to slightly acid soil ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 on the pH scale.
Can crape myrtle be grown in containers?
When growing in the ground, crape myrtle shrubs and trees are exceptionally easy to grow and care for. Crape myrtle growing in containers will require a little more attention to watering and more fertilizer. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know regarding feeding and watering Ligustrum plants...
Choosing the Best Fertilizer for Crepe Myrtles
When feeding crepe myrtles, I recommend starting with a tree and shrub formula with a balanced N-P-K ratio.
Best Fertilizers for Crepe Myrtles
Now on to the most important part. Following extensive research, my own experiences and knowledge, and receiving feedback from peers and other gardening experts, I present my list of picks for the 5 best fertilizers for Crepe Myrtles.
How to Fertilize Crepe Myrtles
According to the University of Georgia, newly planted crepe myrtles should be fed at a rate of 1 teaspoon per month for the first growing season. When planting, apply fertilizer around the perimeter of the root ball before covering it with soil and watering in.
When to Fertilize Crepe Myrtles
Young crepe myrtle trees should be fertilized at the time of planting and then several times throughout the first growing season — as often as once per month.
Verdict: Best Fertilizer for Crepe Myrtles
I’m a strong believer that fertilizer is a tool, not a miracle cure. So I encourage you to choose the best fertilizer for crepe myrtles based on the needs of your own landscape or garden as well as the size and health of your plants.
Crepe Myrtle Care
This species of Lagerstroemia is generally a lower maintenance selection. Though low maintenance, there are some things you can do to help get the best blooms from your crepe myrtle and ensure that your tree thrives. As always, it all starts with planning and selecting the right location.
Types of Lagerstroemia Indica
Lagerstroemia indica is just one plant of a genus containing 50 or so species. Straight species of L. indica are not sold in the nursery trade so you will always be buying a cultivar or hybrid, but unfortunately, they are not often marked well and the tag will just say "Crepe Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica.
Pruning
Pruning your crepe myrtle is a chore that needs to be done for a few reasons. Pruning can aid in bloom production and help beautify the plant by exposing the exfoliating bark, increasing seasonal interest, and establishing the best size and form by removing suckers and errant branches.
Common Pest and Plant Diseases
Luckily crepe myrtles don't deal with too many pest issues, but they are susceptible to powdery mildew, sooty mold, and other fungal infections. The best way to deal with these issues is, of course, prevention.
How much sun do crape myrtles need?
Crape myrtles need full sun -- eight hours or more of direct sun daily -- in order to thrive and bloom Crape myrtles will not be their best will less than eight hours of direct sun light. Gardeners should check the sun patterns in their yards before planting crape myrtles. Crape myrtles thrive in slightly acidic soils with a pH of about 6 to 6.5.
What pH do crape myrtles need?
Crape myrtles thrive in slightly acidic soils with a pH of about 6 to 6.5. If the pH level is off, the plant will not use fertilizer properly and the gardener will be left with substandard crape myrtles. You should take a soil sample to your local Extension office for testing if you don’t know your soil’s pH.
What causes black mold on crape myrtles?
Insect damage is a frequent problem on crape myrtles, and aphids cause much of that damage. Left unchecked, aphids will release bodily fluids onto the foliage, and the resulting honeydew can lead to sooty mold, a black discoloration that can occur in the summer and fall.
Can you plant crape myrtles with insecticides?
You can plant crape myrtle cultivars that are resistant to aphids or treat other cultivars with insecticides to reduce sooty mold. As always, follow label directions on all pesticides. By following the practices outlined here, your crape myrtles should perform their best this growing season and in years to come.
Do you have to prune a crape myrtle tree?
You should not cut off the top of your crape myrtle trees. This pruning method is so drastic it is often referred to as “crape murder.”. To maximize spring growth and summer bloom, ...
What nutrients do crepe myrtles need?
As a blooming tree, it needs micronutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. It is not possible to get healthy plants without adequate fertilizer. The beauty of Crepe Myrtles in summer is fantastic. In the South, this is the most distinguished flower that can grow nicely.
What to do when your tree is acidic?
For planting this tree, you have to choose well-draining loamy soil. The root becomes rotten when water is stagnant in the soil of the tree. Organic compost also helps us to maintain the acidic level.
What is the NPK ratio of a fertilizer?
The NPK ratio of this fertilizer is 10-15-9. It formulates with Copper, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc as essential elements for flowering trees. Depending on different release characteristics, it has five Nitrogen sources. You can select the nutrient with increasing size, number, and quantity of blooms.
