New Crape Myrtle

mr_burninator

I just bought a crape myrtle today and i was wondering if it's still early enough in summer to repot it and do a trunk chop and a little root reduction. I'm planning on potting it back in the same container but i figured since about 80% or more of the buds have not flowered yet there would still be plenty of energy left in the roots to backbud. Also i think there's still enough time before winter for the new growth to harden off. Here's a pic of my newest addition.

Attached Images

crape myrtle3.jpg (45.7 KB, 144 views)

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

Advertisement

mr_burninator

sorry about the quality of the pics. anyway this is a little closer to the trunk. again any advice on whether i should just wait until a more appropriate time or whether i can get a jump start on a good form. also any tips at all about crape myrtles is appreciated.... for example i hear that they can be succeptible to a mildew. alright well here's what i'm looking at doing. i'm thinking trunk chop at the red line which will make the main right branch the new leader. The arrow points to a branch that starts just under where i would chop so that it would fill out the left or be a back branch and start on the outside of a curve. Also maybe further down the road after it recovers i would chop at one of the blue lines to create some movement back toward the base of the trunk. It doesn't look super special at this point but for the price it was worth getting just for the experience. Any suggestions or advice would be wonderful.

Attached Images

crape myrtle4.jpg (61.9 KB, 129 views)

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

TreeBay

Chop away! There is no taper or movement in that straight piece, so be done with it. This is a shrub and it shouldn't give you any problems, especially if you leave a small branch (there appear to be several) on the opposite side of the cut.

After this, I would not cut it again until that wound had almost healed.

Regards,

Matt

__________________

Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today!

bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!

mr_burninator

Thanks Matt.... looks like i'm taking a trip this weekend to pick up some wound sealant. Maybe i'll actually be able to show some self control and escape without buying another tree.

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

Ralph

I have not used crape myrtle yet for Bonsai (Ron had a nice picture of one on the forum about a month ago). But I own several in my landscape. I am currently treating one for powedery mildew, I will let you know what used once I have successfully cured it. Young myrtle like yours have the bark that you see, in time it will eventually lose all of it's bark, and have a smooth like wood appearance that is very attractive. While it is young, is your best chance to put bends into what will be your future trunk. Dont forget to use raffia for support and reduce cracking. Do a google images search on crapes to get inspiration if there are not a lot in your neighborhoods.
Crapes sucker a lot both from the roots, and all over the trunk, use this to your advantage, after you get used to the growth habit, you will see what I mean, you will be able to get branches just about anywhere you need them.
Good luck! Keeps us posted, this species should be used in bonsai more often.

__________________
Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

Bone-sigh

I'm glad this topic on crapes came up. I have been searching for good crape myrtle material myself. But, I am not that familiar with the different cultivars. Does anyone know of a good one for bonsai. Maybe a dwarf variation? Any help would be great.

__________________
"If God meant for us to run around naked, we would have been born that way!"

----a Quote from my uncle's fridge