Slender Crepe Myrtle

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Patmet
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Slender Crepe Myrtle

Post by Patmet »

I bought this Crepe Myrtle from a fellow bonsai enthusiast in Perth at the beginning of 2022. She said she had it for around 15 years, and that she was inspired by a trip to China to create this in more of a penjing style.

Upon coming down to Albany from Perth the climate difference caused it to go into dormancy earlier, and also come out of dormancy early the following winter/spring. It has adjusted now.

I repot it back into the same pot that winter 2022 and root pruned. I left doing anything to the top of the tree until the following winter while it recovered and adjusted to the move.

The following winter 2023 I did a hard cut back to start reigning things back in as it had got very leggy and top heavy. I also commissioned Bad Swan Ceramics to make a smaller custom pot that would do the slender and elegant design more justice.

So back to starting the refinement process again now. It's doing well this growing season and I've been able to make some good progress.
Screenshot_20231219_105635_Gallery.jpg
Jan 2022 as was when purchased
Screenshot_20231219_105916_Gallery.jpg
Winter 2022 just before repotting
Screenshot_20231219_105934_Gallery.jpg
Winter 2022 repotting. Had great roots developed by previous owner.
Screenshot_20231219_110935_Gallery.jpg
A bit of the autumn colour 2023
Screenshot_20231219_111104_Gallery.jpg
Before cutting back winter 2023
Screenshot_20231219_111120_Gallery.jpg
After re-working winter 2023
Screenshot_20231219_111758_Gallery.jpg
Into custom pot
Screenshot_20231219_111747_Gallery.jpg
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GavinG
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Re: Slender Crepe Myrtle

Post by GavinG »

So. Flowers yet? (They're budding up here, and we're behind almost anywhere else in Australia...)

Gavin
Patmet
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Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 392
Joined: March 31st, 2019, 8:21 am
Favorite Species: WA natives
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Bonsai Club: Albany Bonsai Collective, Bonsai Society of Western Australia
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Re: Slender Crepe Myrtle

Post by Patmet »

GavinG wrote: December 21st, 2023, 7:18 pm So. Flowers yet? (They're budding up here, and we're behind almost anywhere else in Australia...)

Gavin
Nope, hasn't flowered since I have had it. I have been pruning it a lot this growing season so that's probably a good reason.
Patmet
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 392
Joined: March 31st, 2019, 8:21 am
Favorite Species: WA natives
Bonsai Age: 5
Bonsai Club: Albany Bonsai Collective, Bonsai Society of Western Australia
Location: Albany, Western Australia
Has thanked: 459 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

Re: Slender Crepe Myrtle

Post by Patmet »

Just did the winter prune on this. Branch structure is improving a little each year.
20240623_132233_1.jpg
20240623_160144_1.jpg
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fae
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Re: Slender Crepe Myrtle

Post by fae »

Looks good, like the slender trunks.
Fiona
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