HI guys
I have two crepe myrtle trees in my front yard and am wondering why they look like this? Any ideas? Too much water or mineral deficiency? the leaves turn brown and dry from about half way. they still seem to be flowering, although not as much as i would hope.
Thanks in advance
connie
It looks a little bit like a fertilizer/chemical burn from the ground up. But also, isn't it autumn there? They would be doing that soon anyway.
Hey plantfreak (cool name:))
I don't think fertilizer burn cause i haven't fertilised it yet.. and yeah it's autumn soon so it should look like that - but it's looked like that for a long time already...
I'll keep investigating - cheers!
Connie
Connie, it looks like your crapemyrtle may have aphids. They can be a real problem.
http://gardening.yardener.com/YardenersPlantHelper/LandscapePlantFiles/FilesAboutShrubs/ShrubFiles/CrepeMyrtle/ProblemsofCrepeMyrtle
Hey guys
The aphids suggestion is a very good one. Within the same garden i have many roses and over 10 different hibiscus. When we bought our house the aphids were really going at these plants..I've so far been managing this pest and i think i'm finally getting them under control. But your suggestion makes me think it may be that i've only made the aphids move from roses and hibiscus to the crepe myrtles...
It's 9pm here so i'll have to check for aphids tomorrow.. i kinda hope it is the little buggers, then i'll know how to get rid of them at least!
Connie
They can be quite sneaky, Connie, especially up in a tree where you don't often get a good look. I hope that is all that is wrong with your crapemyrtles.
They may have aphids but aphids don't cause that kind of damage. It really does look like either an environmental or soil issue.
