After the initial prune, youll have to wait. No? Generally, crape myrtles tend to produce leaves relatively late in the season when warm weather returns. There are two forms of crape myrtles: trees and strubs. In the next section, well dive into how to help a murdered Crape and how to correctly prune from here on out. The amount of water it needs will depend on the climate, but it should be watered regularly. When caring for a crape myrtles, be careful not to over-prune them which will cause unsightly knots, uncontrollable growt. These problems just compound as you continue to lop off the top of your Crape Myrtle each year. Why Choose Plants from Southern Living Plant Collection. To start, look for any new growth on the branches of the tree. Pull back any grass and weeds growing around your trees base. But one day, you notice that it's not looking as lively as it used to. If these buds are present, it is a sign that the crape myrtle is alive and healthy. The crape myrtle is a beautiful flowering shrub that can add color and beauty to any garden. I recently revived a crepe myrtle in my backyard and all I did was trim off the dead branches, then fertilize the soil and water it regularly. Additionally, make sure to use proper pruning techniques when removing damaged or diseased branches. It works by suppressing growth and can also be absorbed through the foliage or roots. Continue this process each year, cutting away dead or crossing branches, and removing anything growing toward the center of the trees canopy. Is there any hope? While the violent-sounding name may imply that lopping off the top of your Crape Myrtle will kill the tree, theyre actually much tougher plants than people realize. at tel:(817) 592-6846 or send us a message. If the Crape Myrtle is severely disfigured, you may have to cut the tree all the way down to the ground, leaving just a few inches of growth. Make sure that the root ball of the plant has been saturated before planting and completely fill the hole with water before putting the plant in the hole. Blueberries make great container plants! Or, if youre like me and found that your landscaper committed a vicious attack on your Crape, all hope is not lost. I find the smell of dirt pleasant. An excellent slow-release fertilizer for Crepe Myrtles is a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. These fertilizers usually contain higher levels of phosphorus and potassium, which are both essential nutrients for Crepe Myrtles. Still, its important to be careful when applying herbicides. These branches wont be able to contribute to the plants growth and can create an entry point for disease or insects. If your Crepe Myrtle already has powdery mildew, its probably best to call in the professionals. Eventually, the root system will start to develop root rot, which can be a fatal condition if not addressed. Dont leave big, ugly stubs. If your crepe myrtle is not leafing out, check the buds. Taking care of crepe myrtles can be tricky but if you take the time to give them the proper care and attention, they can be a beautiful addition to your garden. If youve spent any amount of time driving through the neighborhoods of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, you know that Crepe Myrtles are a staple in North Texas. The most important thing is patience when dealing with a frozen Crape Myrtle. Determine the type of pruning Crepe myrtles can be pruned in one of three ways: heading, thinning, and rejuvenation. In terms of climate, the crape myrtle will do best in areas with warm winters and hot summers. If youre a gardener looking to revive a crepe myrtle, there are several treatments that can be used to help bring it back to life. Cold and frost damage may stunt growth, but it normally wont kill your Crape altogether unless the temperatures drop below zero and the roots freeze. Ctina, Your crepe myrtle should be fine. Will a Crape Myrtle Damage Your Home, Yard, or Foundation? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Quick tips for avoiding the fungal disease Brown Patch in lawns. Using Scratch Test to determine a Dead Crape Myrtle. But sometimes, an early cold snap or late-season frost can catch your Crape by surprise, shocking it with freezing temperatures before it has a chance to get into the safety of its hibernation. "The extra moisture is why my pots get nice and mossy." Here is a step-by-step guide to help you identify and address any issues you may have with your plants branches. Branches. Why are the leaves on my crepe myrtle turning white? This will help encourage new growth in the right direction. Help For Your Outdoor Plants and Landscaping, Why Crape Myrtles Spread and How To Keep Them From Spreading Out, When and What to Expect From Crape Myrtle Blooms This Year, Japanese Maple Companion Plants: 22 Perfect Matches For Your Maple, How to Rid Your Yard of Unwanted Crape Myrtle Plants, Shoots, and Stumps. In a few years the new sprouts will have thickened to nearly the size of the original trunk. If the tree is healthy, these new leaves will be bright green and glossy, and will not be wilted or discolored. Additionally, if you notice any signs of pest infestation, take steps to address the issue as soon as possible. Follow these simple pruning tips to achieve beautiful crapemyrtle trees, Southerners are fixated on crape myrtles mainly because we see so many crape-murdered, Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia indica Miss Sandra, Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia indica Miss Frances. Heading, or topping, is when you cut branches back to a shorter length. Yes, it is normal for crape myrtle trees to lose their leaves in the fall. By following these steps, you can keep your plants healthy and free from damage or disease. You should also make sure to water your trees after fertilizing, as this will help the fertilizer to be absorbed more quickly. It can tolerate a range of soil types, from sand to clay. Thanks for the advice! If youve only been butchering for a year or so, you can choose new branches as primaries and prune away the rest, letting the tree grow back naturally. More Pruning: Once winter arrives and your Crape Myrtle is barren of leaves and dormant, youll do another round of pruning. Flower buds drop without opening. Crape Murder is one of the many gardeners sins. Imagine my shock and horror when I found my beautiful tree chopped down to stumps. Make sure you choose sprouts that are growing upward and toward the outside of the tree. Luckily, if this is your issue, you just need to either replant the Crape Myrtle or remove some soil from above the root ball. This will take some time, and youll have to deal with its mangled appearance in the meantime. Roots. For more information on the healthy way to prune a Crape Myrtle, read this article: How, When, Where, and Why to Prune Your Crape Myrtles. Sooty mold doesn't harm the plant and . Common treatments for disease and pests include chemical sprays, as well as natural remedies such as neem oil or insecticidal soaps. Be sure to soak the entire root system deeply, this will take about 45-60 minutes. Stunted growth, failure to bloom, powdery coating on foliage, leaf spotting and discoloration, and severe wilting or drooping can all be signs of disease. Its important to remember that fertilizing your Crepe Myrtles is not a one-time process. Heres what you need to know about the disease. It does best in soils that are rich in organic matter, such as compost or aged manure. Soggy soil is a big problem for many trees and shrubs. We are a member of several affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to external sites. Unfortunately, due to improper care or environmental stress, crepe myrtles can become sickly or even die. Check that the top of the root ball is even with surrounding soil, and remove the pot. Crape Myrtle aphids and bark scale insects are the typical culprits in those cases. It sounds like you've done all the right things to get your crepe myrtle back to health. In most cases, even freezing temperatures will only cause dieback to leaves and foliage. Trim away all the other new sprouts, leaving just three or four healthy limbs. At the same time, add an iron chelate along with the fertilizer. However, fungus is more likely to develop when your Crape Myrtle isnt getting enough sunlight, the leaves and foliage are moist, or if youre dealing with pest activity. How do I know if my crepe myrtle needs fertilization? To prevent the plant from dying, it must be watered once a week. When planting a crape myrtle, gardeners should choose an area that receives enough water and sunlight. With over 1,700 different species, Begonias (family Begoniaceae) is the fifth most diverse class of plants. This will provide your crape myrtle with the essential nutrients it needs to remain healthy and vibrant. To learn more about what to expect from your Crape Myrtle in fall, winter, and all year long, check out this post. The best place to start is by spraying the tree down with a strong blast of water from the hose. Dont go overboard with pruning until you know the extent of the damage. During the summer, crepe myrtles should be watered deeply once a week. You can do this to check the health of your tree. Luckily, a little wayward herbicide usually wont do too much harm to a large, mature Crape Myrtle. When that plant makes its comeback, new growth will come from the ground leaving behind seemingly dead tops. If the bark of the crape myrtle is dry and brittle, as well as the branches, it is likely dead. The saved shoots will become the new main trunks. If it is green on the outside but brown on the inside, it has suffered cold damage from late freezes. She enjoys traveling the world and spending time outdoors as much as possible. That's great to hear! When it comes to aphids, these crepe myrtle pests need to be washed off the tree with a forceful water bath or spray. Roots that are sitting in oversaturated soil for too long will eventually drown. Why does my crepe myrtle have mold on it? With the right care, your crepe myrtle should be thriving in no time! Yet, some people dont even know that its a bad thing. In winter the knobby, misshapen stumps create a less than pleasing silhouette in the landscape. This is especially likely if you live in areas where crepe myrtles are iffy, like the Mid-Atlantic states or the lower Midwest. Remove suckers at the base, twiggy growth, crossing branches, and branches growing toward the center of the plant. Cut back any dead limbs and clear out crossing branches to help improve airflow within the trees canopy. The picture above was taken around mid April in Texas. Ideally, by the time the next summer rolls around, these branches will have grown to normal size, and the tree will look more like its natural shape. The saved shoots will become the new main trunks. Where and why this is not bad advice, and where its a terrible idea. Crepe myrtle trunk and bark Let irrigations push the fertilizer into the root area of the soil over the next couple of weeks. Stay up to date on the most relevant issues affecting trees in DFW. In this article, we'll explore how to revive a crepe myrtle and get your garden looking its best. Most issues can be handled easily if you catch them early enough. Tools I Use - https://kit.com/HortTube/gardening-toolsPropagation Materials - https://kit.com/HortTube/propagation-and-irrigationReference Books - https://ki. Getting rid of powdery mildew can be tricky, so its better to try to avoid it in the first place by choosing a fungus-resistant variety of Crepe Myrtle if you have the option. It looks like someone Silly Stringed your garden, but it's actually a whole lot weirder. Some will die back at the top. Youll want a pruning saw, loppers, and pruning shears. So, before you cut your Crape down to the ground, read on to learn whether yours is truly a lost cause. Bulbs to Plant. How often should I water my crepe myrtle? Back in the day when we didnt have resistant selections, powdery mildew was the #1 complaint people had about crepe myrtles. Are you looking for a way to give your Crepe Myrtles the nourishment they need to thrive? Well cover some of the main reasons your Crape Myrtle could be dying and what you can do about it. Most likely it's self-perpetuating; people see it done everywhere so they assume it's the right thing to do for their crape myrtles. Pay particular attention to plants that are in the same soil type and in the same sun exposure. Take a look around the area where the crape myrtle is located and look for any plants that may appear to be struggling. One of the first things you should look for is physical damage to the tree. Are they cut clean like those above? If youve been battling any of the common issues mentioned above or noticed signs of other possible ailments and havent been successful in trying to save your sick or dying Crepe Myrtle on your own, our ISA Certified Arborists are ready to help. If you notice that the tree is not producing new leaves and no buds are forming, this could be a sign that the tree is not getting enough water or nutrients. Select one or two of them that are growing up and out and let them be. This includes providing adequate water and sunlight, as well as pruning to remove any dead branches. While it may sometimes lead to larger flowers, its not worth the detriment to the trees health. Input your search keywords and press Enter. I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. Gardening can be a tricky business. Be sure to take extra care when pruning and fertilizing, as these treatments can be damaging if done incorrectly. Select one or two sprouts per trunk only and prune off the rest. In most cases, the answer is yes. This is when the plant is dormant, so pruning at this time will help reduce the risk of disease or infection. But how do you know when your crepe myrtle needs fertilization? Learn how TreeNewal can help your landscape. In more severe cases, you may have to do a major rejuvenation of your Crape, which is a drastic measure. If you notice unusual behavior, such as your Crepe Myrtle being late to leaf out in the spring or if it doesnt produce any blooms by late June, take note. Abbie is a plant-loving freelance writer from Florida. Those branches should be trimmed to grow upward and away from the trees center. The first thing to do is to punish yourself appropriately. 2 How often should crepe myrtles be watered? If you spot any signs of disease, such as brown spots on the leaves or bark, or if you see pests such as aphids or scale, it's important to take action quickly. In terms of climate, the root area of the plant and also be absorbed through foliage... Look around the area where the crape myrtle aphids and bark scale insects are typical. 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