The crepe myrtle family (Lagerstroemia indica) includes small to medium-sized trees that produce beautiful midsummer pink, red, purple and white flowers. Most varieties grow to 5 to 8 meters, with some smaller ones growing to 1 to 2 meters. Typically, the plant does best in warm, humid climates, with some varieties able to withstand severe frosts. Crepe myrtle is bought and planted as a sapling rather than from seed.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Plant the Crespo Myrtle
Step 1. Plant crepe myrtle in the dormant season
Early spring is generally considered the best time, but it is also possible to plant the tree during autumn or winter, as long as you live in a region where winters are mild and the ground does not freeze.
Step 2. Choose a sunny location
Crepe myrtle needs full sun to thrive, so the location you choose needs to receive an average of six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
Step 3. Cultivate the soil
These trees grow best in loose, well-drained soil. Prepare an area of about 1 square meter. Loosen the soil in that area by working it with a rake or shovel.
Step 4. Modify the terrain
If you have heavy soil, it is advisable to mix some peat moss or garden sand into the soil to improve its drainage properties. You can also mix in some compost or a slow-release fertilizer, but if you do, you need to make sure you mix the additive thoroughly throughout the plant bed. Uneven pockets of nutrients in the soil can cause roots to develop poorly.
Step 5. Test the soil pH
Crepe myrtle thrives in neutral to mildly acidic soils, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.3. If you need to lower the pH, mix in additional organic matter such as compost or manure. If you need to raise the pH, mix in agricultural lime.
Step 6. Dig a large hole and put the root ball inside
The hole should be about twice as wide as the root ball, but it should be about the same depth as the nursery pot containing the plant. Avoid planting the root ball deeper, as the soil around the root ball must remain oxygenated. For best results, the root ball should be about level with the ground.
Step 7. Fill the hole with dirt
Lightly compact the soil around the base of the tree. The soil must be heavy and compacted enough to help hold the sapling in place, but it should still be loose enough to allow the roots to have room to grow.
Method 2 of 2: Curing the Crespo Myrtle
Step 1. Add mulch around the tree trunk
Apply about 7.5 to 12.5 cm of wood mulch around the tree to help retain moisture and to discourage the development of nutrient-draining weeds. Keep some free space between the tree trunk and the mulch to prevent the trunk from rotting.
Re-apply at least 2 inches of mulch every spring
Step 2. Water as needed
The tree should be completely soaked immediately after planting. The crepe myrtle sapling should be watered at least once a week during dormancy and five times a week during the hot season. This water regime should continue for the first two months. Thereafter, water only during dry spells.
Step 3. Apply fertilizer once a year
Use a slow release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and apply it in early spring once the leaves develop. A second fertilization is optional and can be done two months after the first, using the same type of fertilizer.
Step 4. Prune the tree in late winter
As the plant blooms on new development, pruning the plant during the winter, before new growth begins, will ensure that the summer bloom is not negatively affected. Only a light pruning is needed.
- Remove suckers (shoots growing at the base of the tree), developing twigs, intertwined branches, and those growing inward toward the center of the plant.
- Eliminate side branches along the bottom of the tree up to 1, 20 - 1, 50, exposing the trunk.
- Cut off dead or dying flowers throughout the growing season to encourage a second bloom.
Step 5. Watch out for common diseases
Crepe myrtle is commonly affected by several diseases.
- Black mold appears as a sooty black coating on the leaves of the tree. It grows on the little sticky drops left by aphids and similar pests. Get rid of the aphids with insecticidal soap, and the mold should go away.
- Powdery mildew is a fungus that develops on the leaves and flower buds. It can be prevented and treated by spraying the tree with a fungicide.
- Septoria manifests itself in the form of dark spots on the leaves of the tree. Affected leaves turn yellow and fall off. Septoria is another fungus and can be treated with a fungicide.
