Your neighbors at TreeNewal are here to help you. Gardening enthusiasts, have you ever wondered how to revive a crepe myrtle in your garden? Yet, some people dont even know that its a bad thing. If you notice this, you should take steps to ensure that the tree is getting enough water and nutrients to stay healthy. Thanks for the advice! Plesae let us know what went wrong? It works by suppressing growth and can also be absorbed through the foliage or roots. Another creator of honeydew is the Crepe Myrtle bark scale (or CMBS). Look for brown, wilted, yellowing or missing leaves to determine if the crape myrtle is dead. The first step is to identify the cause of the distress. Remove a leaf bud and cut it in half. Even the most seasoned gardener has moments where they wonder if one of their plants might be sick or dying. Train the Rescued Shoots. To prevent the plant from dying, it must be watered once a week. Another reason for drastic trimming is the desire to prune a Crape Myrtle to fit in a particular space. The crape myrtle is an excellent choice for gardeners in search of a hardy and colorful flowering shrub. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. How, When, Where, and Why to Prune Your Crape Myrtles. Sadly, it is not. With these steps, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful garden. Check that the top of the root ball is even with surrounding soil, and remove the pot. 6. Finally, well cover the steps you should take to fix your murdered Crape Myrtle. The first thing to do is to punish yourself appropriately. Crape myrtle flowers can last for up to three months, and while it's true that crape murder does result in larger (but fewer) flowers, the thin branches that result from improper pruning cannot support them. Unfortunately, due to improper care or environmental stress, crepe myrtles can become sickly or even die. Be sure to use the fertilizer or other nutrients according to the instructions on the product label. Here's why some plants flower during warm winter days. More than likely, it suffered cold damage during the winter. Crepe Myrtles are also relatively disease resistant. During the fall and winter months, water once every two weeks. Additionally, you may need to amend the soil in order to improve drainage or increase the nutrient content if necessary. This fertilizer provides a balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are essential nutrients for Crepe Myrtles. When you make purchases through links on our site, we earn a small commission. Twilight crape myrtle has moderate water requirements depending on the prevailing weather conditions, growth stage, and season. It is also important to choose a spot that is not overly shaded by other plants, buildings, or other structures. Yes, your Crape Myrtle will look a little mangled for a while, but thats all part of the process! I was having a hard time figuring out what to do but now I know. This will help encourage new growth in the right direction. When that plant makes its comeback, new growth will come from the ground leaving behind seemingly dead tops. This is a more recent addition to our list of potential ailments, as it was first identified in Texas in 2004; however, it has quickly made its presence known and is now one of the most common Crepe Myrtles pests in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In addition, gardeners should take a look at the bark of the tree. It is also important to remove the dead tree to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for pests. The first step to reviving a crepe myrtle is to look for signs of disease or pests. Pest Infestation: Pests can be attracted to crepe myrtles that are lacking essential nutrients. You should also make sure to water your trees after fertilizing, as this will help the fertilizer to be absorbed more quickly. Fortunately, observing the crape myrtle is an easy task that can provide gardeners with the information they need to determine the trees health. It's already looking so much healthier! Still, its important to be careful when applying herbicides. Sooty mold is a fungus that covers the leaves and looks like you dumped the contents of your fireplace onto your Crepe Myrtle. Additionally, be sure to water your crape myrtle regularly to ensure it is receiving the necessary moisture it needs to thrive. By taking the time to inspect your crape myrtle and its surrounding environment, you can quickly determine if it has been given any fertilizer or other nutrients recently. Finally, you should consider using a mulch around the crepe myrtle to help retain moisture and discourage weed growth. All of these treatments should be done with caution, as aggressive pruning and other treatments can create more damage than good if not done correctly. And yes, you can fix it but you must follow Grumpys infallible instructions to the letter. Branches removed should be removed back to the larger branch or trunk, leaving no stump. Eventually, your crepe myrtle will look beautiful again. Caring for Crepe Myrtle Download Article 1 Mulch around the base of the tree. In most cases, the answer is yes. Additionally, you can use an organic fertilizer such as compost or manure to provide additional nutrients. For example, if you notice that the leaves on a particular plant are wilting or turning yellow, it could be a sign of distress. If youve established that your Crape Myrtle is suffering from a potentially fatal condition, youre probably wondering how do I save my Crape Myrtle from dying? The good news is there are some things you can do to improve your plants chances of survival. There are plenty of reasons your tree might not be blooming or growing right now. The goal is to keep the new growth neat and maintained. However, they are not invincible. If youre wondering what a diseased Crape Myrtle looks like, it really depends on whats ailing it. Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil. It had gotten too big for me to reach myself, so I asked for some light thinning and shaping to get it ready for spring. There are some common issues with Crepe Myrtle trees to be on the lookout for: Physical Damage, Late Leafing or No Blooms: Due to their thin bark, Crepe Myrtles are susceptible to damage by landscaping equipment. It can tolerate a range of soil types, from sand to clay. 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. More Pruning: Once winter arrives and your Crape Myrtle is barren of leaves and dormant, youll do another round of pruning. Fertilizing your Crepe Myrtles is an important part of the care process, and choosing the right fertilizer can make all the difference. First, you should inspect the plant to see if there are any signs of nutrient deficiencies. For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. A Crape Myrtle killed by cold and frost damage will not leaf out, and the limbs will be very brittle. 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. Sometimes it's possible to revive a seemingly dead plant by pruning it and giving it some extra TLC. To start, look for any new growth on the branches of the tree. This article will explain what we mean by Crape Murder, discuss why people may commit this atrocity, and whether it can be repaired. If you dont then proper pruning can enhance the circulation and open the tree up to more sunlight. This practice, which cuts back all large structural branches of a tree is extremely damaging and weakens trees in the long run. Dont go overboard with pruning until you know the extent of the damage. If the infection is minor, you may be able to treat it with an appropriate fungicide or insecticide. So, many people dont understand why its such a bad thing to lop the tops off their trees. Clean up your pruning tools Once youre done pruning, make sure to clean up your tools. This will provide your crape myrtle with the essential nutrients it needs to remain healthy and vibrant. For more information about the lifespan of crepe myrtles, click here. An all-purpose fertilizer should give your crepe myrtle the nutrients it needs to grow at a healthy rate. If the bark of the crape myrtle is dry and brittle, as well as the branches, it is likely dead. Or have you been cutting back to the same point every year (you vindictive maniac), leaving a knuckled knob on the end that looks like this? Crapes come in various mature sizes, from dwarf miniatures to massive 30-foot trees. Crepe myrtle is affectionately called the lilac of the south by Southern gardeners and is valued for its long blooming season and low maintenance. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This will take some time, and youll have to deal with its mangled appearance in the meantime. When pruning back the entire plant, make sure to leave at least 3-4 buds on each stem. If the tree is healthy, it will begin to produce buds, have smooth, healthy bark, and new leaves will appear throughout the spring and summer months. What other treatments may be necessary to revive a crepe myrtle? Look for signs of discoloration, wilting, curling, or drooping. If not, you might need to call for backup. The crape myrtle is a popular flowering shrub, but recently many gardeners have noticed that their crape myrtles are exhibiting signs of distress. So, why do people continue to chop down these lovely trees despite all the information out there advising a less is more approach to pruning Crape Myrtles? For example, your Crape may start developing leaf discoloration or a dark coating all over the leaves. Help trees and shrubs recover from storm damage by applying a slow release or organic fertilizer in spring (March-April). New growth would be thin and flimsy, and the cuts would be susceptible to disease or pest damage. It's most destructive pest is probably the gardener or landscaper who, through unawareness (forgivable) or plain old habit (not so forgivable), continues the destructive pruning technique of crape murder. A naturally growing, correctly pruned crape myrtle has a beautiful vase-shaped form with gently arching branches and lovely cinnamon- and silver-grey mottled bark. You should fertilize your trees at least three times a year: once in early spring, once again in mid-summer, and then again in late summer or early fall. Additionally, check for signs of fungal growth or other issues that may be affecting the health of the plant. The best time to prune a crepe myrtle is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. In this article, well discuss how to tell if your Crape Myrtle is suffering from something more severe than minor health issues. Leaves. Once you have identified the cause, you can take steps to address it. Healthy soil should be loose, dark, and free of weeds. Then, when the plant goes dormant during the winter months, choose three to five strong and healthy branches that are spaced apart well enough to become your new trunks. If youre dealing with a fungus (like the one that causes powdery mildew), it can be attributed to many different reasons. Fungus can also grow on honeydew secretions that pests leave behind. Here are the basics: Stand back and look at the tree. A well pruned crape myrtle should not look like it has been "pruned" at all. Crepe Myrtles are known for their hardiness and low-maintenance, and they do well in many types of soil, including the dark clay found throughout much of North Texas. With a few simple steps, you can bring your crepe myrtle back to life and enjoy its beauty for years to come. "The extra moisture is why my pots get nice and mossy." Prune to the desired shape - Depending on the type of pruning you're doing, you can prune the crepe myrtle to the desired shape. Are they cut clean like those above? Make sure to use sharp pruning shears and cut just above a leaf node or bud. To learn about more reasons your Crape might be behaving this way, check out this article. What are some recommended fertilizers for crepe myrtles? I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. Thank you for your feedback! Fertilizing your crepe myrtle is an important part of keeping it healthy and vibrant. They can cover whole sections of the trunk or branches, giving the tree a scaly look. Abbie is a plant-loving freelance writer from Florida. Keep an eye on your Crape Myrtle for signs of distress to help prevent bigger problems. Soil Crepe myrtle is not too demanding regarding soil pH, but it prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil over alkaline soil. Some will die back at the top. Dont expect any. In the next section, well dive into how to help a murdered Crape and how to correctly prune from here on out. Once the insect infestation is handled, the sooty mold can be washed off, or it will eventually fall away on its own. Congratulations! Is there any way to fix what I did?. You'll receive two emails a month packed with resources to help your trees thrive. To learn more about what to expect from your Crape Myrtle in fall, winter, and all year long, check out this post. Like other sap-sucking insects, they do not fully digest their food and leave behind a sticky liquid called honeydew. If there are knobs, cut them off now. The next step is to examine the soil around the plant. Pruning a crepe myrtle is an important part of caring for this beautiful landscape tree. Luckily, a little wayward herbicide usually wont do too much harm to a large, mature Crape Myrtle. Unveiling the Beauty of Delta Moonlight Crape Myrtle: A Perfect Addition to Your Garden, Unlock the Secrets of Planting Crape Myrtle at the Right Time, The Ultimate Guide to Shaping Your Crape Myrtle: Tips and Tricks for a Beautiful Tree, The Stunning Carolina Beauty Crape Myrtle: A Must-Have in Your Garden, The Enchanting Beauty of the Purple Magic Crape Myrtle Tree: A Guide to Growing and Caring for this Stunning Ornamental. Water once every two weeks and frost damage will not leaf out, and free of.. 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