AusBonsai

crepe myrtle flowers tend to extend quite far from the tree and am wondering if there is a technique for keeping them more compact--Ive tried pruning in pretty close but seems to also stop or at least reduce flowering-----
thanks in advance

I'd be interested in any answers to this too

I do not believe you can ever reduce the size of flowers.
CM always flower in the end of new growth and as such as Bonsai are not usually grown to flower

Ken

Paclobutrazol (usually sold under the name "Bonza Bud") is used for the purposes of chemical induction for compact growth of foliage. Whether this effect extends to flowering I don"t know. I have some but have not yet used it.

Regards

John

Jester wrote:Paclobutrazol (usually sold under the name "Bonza Bud") is used for the purposes of chemical induction for compact growth of foliage. Whether this effect extends to flowering I don"t know. I have some but have not yet used it.

Regards

John

that will be an interesting test, Lut us know

Ken

As far as I know flowers and fruit are two things that can't be reduced in size, thats why we use a crabapple instead of an apple etc. Choose varieties that have small flowers and fruit to obtain a better scale in the finished design.
Crepe myrtle flowers on the end of new shoots in summer, so you have to be aware that late spring pruning will either reduce or totally remove the flowering wood. Usually the crepe myrtle is left to over grow its design for the pleasure of the flowers.
I like them as bonsai, nice colour and texture of the bark.

Andrew

thanks blokes