Flowering Crepe

[emi93m]

Hi guys thought i would post a couple pics of my Crepe Mertyle i was dying to see what colours the flowers were going to be and i guess this morning to my delite it answered my question. My plan is towards the end of winter when the leaves are all gone to wire and shape this tree does anyone have any ideas on what colour pot / and glazed or unglazed would be suitable for this tree with pink flowers.

Cheers Mick

[Trent McKenzie]

I would go with a pink, dark red or cream glazed pot

[kcpoole]

Are you going to let it flower as a Bonsai?

Crepe Myrtle only flower on the ends of the new growth, so to have it flower as bonsai means that you must effectively not prune it for the 3 months or so before flowering times. As this means thru summer, the new growth extends so fast that any styling / shaping of the tree will be lost until you cut back hard after flowering, but then you are losing any chance of gaining fine ramification.
they will look "leggy" and generally unapealing as Bonsia

The same applies to any tree that flowers on the end of new gorwth, eg Jacarandah.

Bonsai means styled tree in a pot, and if you let a tree go all thru summer so you get flowers, then it does not really stay as bonsai

Crepe myrtle should be appreciated ro their lovely bark, smooth trunks, and small leaves. As Bonsai the flowers do not count I reckon.

Ken

[GavinG]

It can be done, but the tree needs to be large (60-120cms) and the trunk thick and well curved. With a lot of ramification, each flowering shoot doesn't grow too long, so some proportion can be maintained. It's difficult to do well, but start it off in the ground, and get a thick, well-tapered trunk with good movement. Mine's not presentable yet.

Gavin

[Trent McKenzie]

I second that it could work letting it go to flower but yes it would need to be a larger specimen and cut back hard after flowering, definatly let it thicken in the ground or grow box if that's a possibility for you.