Questions on Crepe Myrtles

[Paul W]

Been trimming some crepe's today which has prompted me to ask all the GURU crepe growers out there the following questions.

(1) Is there a way to get the flowers closer to the foliage as all mine are out on long shoots,or is this just the way they are.
(2) I have noticed there is a lot of really small branches that have died back other wise the tree's looks very healthy,or is the reason that they are not getting enough water.
(3) Do the mature trees shed a layer of bark and leave a new looking smooth bark underneath.

Would appreciate any feedback at all fella's, I have not included any pic's as they are just general questions relating to all my crepe's.
Paul

[kcpoole]

Been trimming some crepe's today which has prompted me to ask all the GURU crepe growers out there the following questions.

(1) Is there a way to get the flowers closer to the foliage as all mine are out on long shoots,or is this just the way they are.

Nope they only flower on the end opf the new growth.

(2) I have noticed there is a lot of really small branches that have died back other wise the tree's looks very healthy,or is the reason that they are not getting enough water.

I get die back on mine too, have no idea why

(3) Do the mature trees shed a layer of bark and leave a new looking smooth bark underneath.

Yep that is one of their Awesome features, The shedding bark!

[Brian]

they are only really grown as bonsai for the beautiful trunk and bark. The foliage and flowers are a secondary consideration.

[Beano]

If you grow it as a big bonsai with lots of ramification work your flowers won't look so weird. I think the flowers are ugly, unless you have the whole tree covered with them. I'm mainly into them for the autumn/winter colouring

[kcpoole]

If you grow it as a big bonsai with lots of ramification work your flowers won't look so weird. I think the flowers are ugly, unless you have the whole tree covered with them. I'm mainly into them for the autumn/winter colouring

I agree, the foliage colours up nicely in autumn.
The new foliage is a nice red colour as well

Ken

[hard1all]

1) some varieties may produce flowers on shorter shoots. Some varieties of Wisteria do so as well.
2) they can ramify as well as elms and they love water. (Many trees that cope without water, respond brilliantly when water is made available to them)
3) they shed the soft bark from about age 5 onwards.

[Paul W]

Thanks guys
So it seems that my crepes all seem normal .
Bloody hot aye Ken, in Sydney, 39 out on my back deck and the thermometer is in the shade

[GavinG]

Do a search, but you can get flowers closer to the trunk by pinching twice, early in the season, then leaving it to grow until the flow heads form. They're still a way out, but not as bad. The effect of a massive head of crepe myrtle flowers can be quite stunning, if you've got a thick, sinuous, interesting trunk holding it up.

Gavin

[astroboy76]

i have a dwarf purple crepe. it flowers very close to the branches. grows slower so try buy advanced stock. ray nesci often has them. they ramify easily. and flower on short branches.