Advice for new crapemyrtles please

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IslandGurl San Diego, CA(Zone 10b) Dec 15, 2006

I just received 5 baby crapemyrtle trees from the Arbor Day Society, and I want to get them off to a good start. They are very young, each one maybe only about a foot or less in height, with a very small root system. I was wondering if I could start them in containers and then transplant them after they get much bigger. The instructions that came with them says to plant them right away, in a protected area of the yard, and then transplant them in a year or two.

Also, any advice on the best kind of soil to start them in??? I'm so excited about these trees, I want to do the absolute right thing to get them started.

I'm in San Diego, CA...and in my area the minimum temp is between 35-40.

Thank you for any help!

kim

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starlight1153 Seale, AL(Zone 8b) Dec 15, 2006

Kim.... Yes you can grow your Crepes in a container. I have several in 2 and 3 gallon containers myself. Unless your into mixing your own soil, I would recommend going to Lowe's or such and getting some of the Jungle Soil for trees and shrubs, not the flower one, or any bagged soil for trees and shrubs that of good quality.

If your trees you got are rootbound, gently pry them apart as much as you can when putting into the pot. I always put some Osmocote on the top around mine.

If your tree seedlings are a good size, make sure you use a 3 to 5 gallon pot for sure and make sure it has good d rainage holes. They need water but not wet feet. And even in the winter you wil need to water them occasionally if you don't get regular rain.

Good Luck with your new babies. If you don't prune them and let them grow naturally they make really beautiful trees, especially when the bark peels on older trees.

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escambiaguy Atmore, AL(Zone 8b) Dec 15, 2006

I agree with everything starlight said, crape myrtles are pretty tough. I wouldn't leave them in pots longer than one growing season though. You'll be surprised at how fast they grow once they get established.

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IslandGurl San Diego, CA(Zone 10b) Dec 16, 2006

Oh starlight and escambiaguy...thank you both so much for the information! I'm so excited to get these trees and be able to start them from the small size that they are, I have no idea what colors their blooms will be so that's a surprise for next year maybe.

Thanks again!!!

kim

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