you can keep your crepe myrtle blooming almost all summer? Since crepes bloom on new growth, by carefully pruning off the spent blossom stems after the first bloom round, the plant will produce new side shoots below the original blossom stem and then produce additional blossoms. After each bloom set has been trimmed, a shot of nitrogen (by whatever discipline you follow be that organic or chemical) around the drip line will aid the plant in making new foliage and blooms.
This process by its very nature works best on shorter varieties where you can easily reach the spent blossoms and in no way, shape or fashion am I recommending that you hang off the side of a lightweight 20' ladder to do the trimming for taller varieties of crepes. A bucket truck perhaps but not a ladder (don't ask how I know that cause my lips are sealed on the issue and my doctor follows strict patient confidentiality rules).
Trimming consists of pruning with hand nippers only back to the first or second set of leaves below the spent bloom tips and does not infer massive trimming by mechanical means or taking more than a few inches from each tip. Certainly, general shearing or topping of any crepe myrtle is highly discouraged.
Just a tip from me to you,
Steve
Crepe Myrtles: Did you know that...
Soooooo, when do you get your cast off? chuckle
As noted above, I'm mum on the subject... ;o)
When I saw this I cracked up...our shortest crepe myrtle is 15' high, the other is over 20'. :~) But we did just plant two more--Nachez--that are only babies right now. This is good to know for next year, once they've become established.
OK guys - its not funny. My crepes give me a real hard time - I think they are dwarf variety. I will try deep toot fertilization next spring summer. Wish I had the 20 footers you have.
Any additional tips appreciated.
Jam
Do they get enough sun, Jamper?
Some of the newer reds dont grow worth a hoot. The older var of pink and white take maybe 3-4yrs before roots get a good hold esp in partial shade and then they never look back. We have probs with mold n scale on em where its shady down south, but they love full sun and neglect the best.
Has anyone tried the new black leafed varieties yet? With those hot red blossoms, they're bound to be a stunner when they're mature..
Steve
They get a lot of sun and I am thinking the problem maybe with the NPK or PH type stuff.
Do you have a name for the black leafed variety or where to get them from?
Jamper, the name of the black leafed cm escapes me at the moment but I've seen them at the big box stores as well as several nurseries.
Steve
They are called "Black Diamond".
Got 2 that bloom red. New, only 18" tall, got @ HD