Fertilizers for Crape Myrtles
- Understand Crape Myrtle's Basic Needs. Once established, crape myrtle is hardy, drought tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases. ...
- Use All-Purpose Garden Fertilizer. Crape myrtles require large amounts of nitrogen to foster growth and produce the greatest number of flowers.
- Plan Your Fertilizing Schedule. ...
- Avoid Using Too Much Fertilizer. ...
What do you feed crepe myrtles?
When established, crape myrtle are not heavy feeders. However, they will benefit from fertilization at any time during their life. Fertilize them in early spring with a slow-release shrub & tree food, preferably one that contains Sulfur and/or Iron. Alternatively, you can feed with a natural organic plant food.
What is the best fertilizer for crape myrtle?
You’ll want to start feeding with a general-purpose, well-balanced garden fertilizer. Use 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8, or 16-4-8 fertilizer. A granular product works well for crape myrtle. Take care not to overfertilize. Too much food for crape myrtles makes them grow more foliage and less flowers. It’s better to use too little than too much.
Is Crape Myrtle easy to grow and care for?
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... How To Fertilize Crape Myrtle In the Ground
How do you take care of a crepe myrtle tree?
With very little maintenance, crape myrtles will provide brilliant color for many years. You will need to start by siting them in sunny spots in well cultivated soil and then fertilizing crape myrtle shrubs appropriately.
What is best fertilizer for crepe myrtles?
Fertilizers including 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 will work fine and are ideal for crape myrtles, but don't go overboard. Overfertilizing trees will cause excess growth and reduce the number of blooms on each tree.
Can I use Miracle Grow on crepe myrtles?
Using these types of fertilizers will cover your bases if the soil in your area is deficient in a certain element or trace mineral. The easiest to use and most well known fertilizer is Miracle Gro. However, if you have many Crape Myrtles you wish to fertilize, using Miracle Gro can become expensive.
How can I make my crepe myrtle bloom more?
To make your crepe myrtle bloom, apply a high-phosphorus, low-nitrogen fertilizer in a slow-release formula in early spring. Alternatively, fertilize regularly throughout the growing season. Younger trees need monthly feeding, while more established trees benefit from being fertilized every two weeks.
Why is my crepe myrtle tree not blooming?
Not enough sunshine will curtail blooms on a crape myrtle. Being in a place where the tree does not get significant sunshine is a recipe for a non blooming tree. Make sure that the tree is not planted in an under-story position as the shade from larger trees and shrubs will block the needed sunshine to the tree.
Are coffee grounds good for crepe myrtles?
The answer is yes! Coffee grounds make an excellent ground mulch, especially for acid-loving plants.
Why are the leaves on my crepe myrtle turning yellow?
Most commonly, drought or a lack of moisture will cause crepe myrtles leaves to yellow and prematurely fall. What is this? Your plant might also have a bacterial disease or fungus, which will also start as yellowing foliage. This is also known as 'leaf scorch' and tends to affect crepe myrtles during the summertime.
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.
Should you cut dead blooms off crepe myrtle?
Many varieties of crape myrtles can be encouraged to bloom a second time, but timing is important. Deadheading crape myrtles (removing dead or dying flowers) encourages new sprouts and blooms, but if you deadhead too late in the season, the tender new growth that is produced can be damaged by cold weather.
How often do you water a crape myrtle tree?
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. Water new plants regularly for about two months, and water during drought for better blooms and healthier plants.
What month do crepe myrtles bloom?
Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety. You may sometimes see crape myrtles not blooming well.
How long do crepe myrtles live?
Crape myrtles are beautiful flowering trees that are native to eastern Asia but can be found in many parts of the United States. They can grow up to 20-25 feet tall and have a lifespan of about 20 years. These plants are typically seen as ornamental, but they also have other uses.
How do you take care of a crape myrtle tree?
How to Care for Crape MyrtleFind Full Sunlight. Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive. ... Use Suitable Soil. ... Fertilize Lightly. ... Treat Fungus Before It Starts. ... Prune Sparingly in Winter or Early Spring. ... Expose the Trunk for More Beauty. ... Deadhead for Even More Flowers.
How much fertilizer does a crepe myrtle need?
If using an 8-8-8- or 10-10-10 fertilizer, use one pound of fertilizer for every 100 square feet of the planting bed for small shrubs and dwarf varieties. For large crape myrtle trees and shrubs, increase the amount of fertilizer and use a pound of fertilizer per inch of the tree's diameter.
What causes sticky leaves on crepe myrtle?
They're also shiny and sticky. What causes that? Answer: That's the honeydew secretion from crape myrtle aphids. You'll see them congregated on the plants' leaves and new growth, generally from mid-summer on.
How do you take care of a crape myrtle tree?
How to Care for Crape MyrtleFind Full Sunlight. Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive. ... Use Suitable Soil. ... Fertilize Lightly. ... Treat Fungus Before It Starts. ... Prune Sparingly in Winter or Early Spring. ... Expose the Trunk for More Beauty. ... Deadhead for Even More Flowers.
Are crape myrtles acid loving plants?
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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...
What is a crape myrtle?
Last Update May 29, 2021 by Autem Decker Leave a Comment. Crape myrtles are beautiful ornamental flowering trees that come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They are across the board sun-loving plants and also pretty drought-tolerant ones. If you water and fertilize them properly, they will bloom your home way too beautifully than you imagined. ...
How big do crape myrtles get?
The most beautiful thing about crape myrtles is that they come in all shapes and sizes. From tiny shrubs that get only three to two feet tall and wide to medium-size varieties. And then it has all the way to tree size varieties that reach 25 feet in height.
When do crape myrtles bloom?
The primary feature of crape myrtle is its beautiful flowers which happen in late spring and usually about the first half of the summer. However, you also get some residual flowers right through the end of summer. The small growing dwarf varieties make excellent foundation plants in front of your windows.
Where to put fertilizer tip?
The fertilizers are perfectly measured and formed into spikes. You will have to put the tip near the plant where the active roots are growing. This special procedure will save you from the waste of fertilizer and ensure the proper growth of your plant.
Is crape myrtle hardy?
Crape myrtles are hardy in zone seven to nine, absolutely worth a try in ten A and six B. In areas like six-eight , the winters are harsh, and these trees get completely killed back to the ground. Many people put straw around their base in the wintertime and get killed down top that straw level and suddenly come back in the summer.
Does Carl Pool crape myrtle plant food have phosphoric acid?
Carl Pool crape myrtle plant food is formulated with plenty of phosphoric acids.
Do crape myrtles need fertilizer?
Most people don’t know that the crape myrtles need slow-releasing fertilizers that last for a long time. They need fertilizer specially made for them only. Here we have gone through the whole bunch of fertilizer for crape myrtle available in the market and picked out the best of them for you.
