Crape Myrtle
 

I have a beautiful crape myrtle tree that didn't bloom this year. It was pruned in March by landscapers who trimmed our shrubs and did spring clean up. I'm wondering if they didn't prune it correctly. Any ideas

Crape Myrtle
 

It's impossible for a landscaper to ruin a Crape Myrtle. In Memphis we usually do the prune in Feb. In Florida March may be a little late however.

I would just Google it. You'll find lot's of info I'm sure.

Did it bloom by this time in prior years? I notice a neighbors that has bloomed profusely in prior years is just starting to bloom.

Some crepe myrtles bloom later. Mine never bloomed until July last year, but it is blooming profusely now. Give it a shot of fertilizer

To answer DownEaster, yes, it bloomed the first two years it was planted. I noticed the tips of branches have dead buds on them. I love that tree and not one bloom!!!!

That may be the problem. These trees bloom on new wood. The best way to prune/trim them is to cut the branches back by about a third of their length in the winter when the tree is dormant. The branches should not be cut all the way back to a main trunk. This is called crape murder, and produces a tree with weak structure. Cutting the branches by a third will produce a nicely shaped tree that blooms regularly.

Hope this helps.

Mike, thanks, would it helped if I pruned the dead buds off now or is it too late

Give it some time and it may still bloom. One of ours bloomed earlier this month and the other one is just starting to put out blooms. Both were trimmed at the same time.

I think it's too late. Try to prune it after the leaves fall off in the winter.

One more question - do these trees need a lot of water - meaning watering every day. I haven't read this anywhere but my husband thinks its from lack of water. When it was first planted two years ago, I recall the landscaper saying it needed regular watering but I suspect it was because it was newly planted but once established, the irrigation water would suffice. I know they like sun; what about water? Thanks

Try sticking a wooden dowel rod down into the soil in a few spots around your crepe myrtle and see how wet or dry the ground is below.... that will give you some idea of where you need to go in watering your tree.
I don't think there are many trees that can take daily watering... and 'watering' is a relative term anyway. I lived in a townhouse association that watered so much, they literally drowned over 60 large evergreen trees in short order.
There is a cool garden blog from Southern Living..... titled "The Grumpy Gardener" ( you can Google it)
It's done with humor and expert advice and has a whole section on crepe myrtles that might help! :wave:

From Floridata.com


Crape myrtle likes moist soil, where it will grow exceedingly fast, but it tolerates dry conditions once established. It has been standard practice to cut trees back to large branches or even the trunk in winter. This distorts the appearance of the tree tremendously. Such massacre results in thin, arching stems and completely destroys the architectural beauty of the free growing crape myrtle. Pruning is recommended only to remove overly dense branches and crossing limbs. Cutting off old flower heads in summer can promote a second and third round of flowering, though. Over fertilizing creates abundant foliage at the expense of blooms. Crape myrtles are a magnet for aphids, upon whose excrement sooty mold grows. This can give the leaves a gray, sooty coating that is not harmful, but is unsightly. Control aphids with a soapy water solution. (Crapes are actually used around commercial nurseries to attract aphids away from other plants!)
Light: Good sun.
Moisture: Moist, well drained soil.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7-9. In general, trees are extremely vigorous and hardy. Newer varieties are extending the range - check with your local garden center for crapes that survive in colder zones.
Propagation: By cuttings from medium wood in early fall or hard wood in winter. Also by seed. Easy to root.

I appreciate this "myrtle" discussion. Mine didn't bloom this year either. Dead blooms/open buds at ends. Otherwise looks very healthy. 3 years old. I didn't prune mine at all in the winter of 2010. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Despite what Floridata says, I always pruned about 1/3 of each branch every winter when the tree is dormant. I always got blooms. Blooms appear on new wood only, so cutting back the branches promotes new growth and blooms.

No it does not need daily water. Regular irrigation is fine

The Twice on Tuesday seminar from the Fla Extention Univ is on Crepe Mertyls
FLORIDA GARDENS – TWICE ON TUESDAY
June 28, 2011
TITLE: Crape Myrtles and Hot Flowers
WHEN: Twice on Tuesday, June 28
• Tickets are free and must be picked up at the respective
Center where the talk is being held.
• Tickets will be available at the Savannah Center and the Sea
Breeze Rec Center, two weeks prior to the talks on June 7.
• Tickets are available Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 to 4:00, until
sold out.
• Appropriate ticket and Villages ID must be presented at the
door.
WHERE: 9:00 AM Savannah Center
1:00 PM Sea Breeze Recreation Center
WHO: Brooke Moffis
Urban Horticulture Agent & Master Gardener Coordinator
WHY: With many so many colors and cultivars to choose from,
selecting the right crape myrtle for your space is the most
important consideration. Crape myrtles varieties are available
from dwarf shrubs to large upright or spreading trees and its
long blooming period rewards us with its showy flowers for
months. Pruning the spent flower buds can produce another
bloom in the fall. Many types have bark that exfoliates to
expose a beautifully colored inner bark for winter interest. Did
you say you wanted some great summer color for your garden?
The session will also touch on those plants that will last in the
summer heat and still bring lots of brilliant color to the
landscape.
For Village Residents only For Village Residents only

Thanks, aln... oh, I wish I could go. I am really looking forward to learning about lawns and landscaping in the Florida climate.

Help with Crape Myrtle
 

Did you have some one fertilize them this year??

I live in VA and have several myrtles. I trim them back in February. I cut all the willowy branches off and all the suckers at the bottom of the trunk. They bloom every year beginning the end of June beginning of July.

not supposed to really need fertilizer
 

per Sumter County extension. I also went to the Twice on Tuesday presentation on Crape Myrtles, which is where I got this info.

Is now the proper time to cut back the branches 1/3? Do you cut them any special place on the branch?

Pruning stimulates growth. Don't do it now, wait until Feb so the new tender growth would not get freezer burn.