AusBonsai

I have been very impressed with a few crepe myrtle's posted here recently - jealous as well I might add - so here is the only one I have. I have had it now for about 12 months so this is the history for year one of its journey with me. I was told it was dug from a garden a couple of years ago and the "digger" gave it to me last year.
In June 2014 I started the carving process, in August 2014 I potted it into a training pot and in January 2015 it rewarded me with flowers. It did flower for over a month before I gave it a good cut back.

That is awesome. 2 questions if you wouldn't mind answering.
If you dig them out the ground, how far down/up the trunk do you cut it?
How do you encourage new growth below the cut?


Thanks
James

Hi Watto, Nice trunk and root base, plenty of flowers too. I must say that I prefer the original front where you can make the most of the jin. Should Crepe Myrtle have dead wood? Mmmm! interesting question, there are many out there who will say no but I think if it works on a particular tree then why not! Why are you looking at a different front? The root spread and trunk look good as it is. Michael.

Hi James - these really back bud very well so the height you decide to cut, the tree will (probably) give some new shoots below that cut. I understand that this particular tree was damaged prior to digging so the new growth was already on the way.

ingwe11 wrote: If you dig them out the ground, how far down/up the trunk do you cut it?

Thanks
James

The length of trunk is as tall or as short as you need it. Decide what the trunk wioll be like one in a pot and developed and that will determine the length. ie
is there low branches to use?
Any Taper?
Nebari?

Leave it a few inches longer than the eventual trunk height so that you can cut back to the new growth and carve the cut site if needed

Ken

Hi Michael,
The "possible" new front came about because I think the taper is improved with that side, whereas the current front has a very wide base, but then goes straight up. It will all depend on how it looks in the winter and if I can make it look OK. As for dead wood on deciduous trees, well you see it a bit in nature on certain species, so its probably OK in some instances IMO. I have noticed that the wood of this particular tree is quite soft so it probably won't last long, but that might give an opportunity for a re-style?

Hi Watto,

I just love crapemyrtles!

But, I think you have to decide early on if you are going to have leaves and flowers

or

the magnificent, smooth, coloured trunk they get from about 5 years old onwards and the fantastic ramification these can achieve - every bit as good as elms.

so, shown in summer or winter?

if you are going for leaves and flowers you seem to be lucky in that yours is flowering on relatively short growth

that's my vote for this material

Hi Watto, After careful consideration I still prefer the original front. You will need to get a bit more shape into the branching and keep the height around where it is now. Give some thought to direction, especially with the driftwood taking front stage.I think you should aim for a fairly natural style, being broad rather than tall but that doesn't mean no wire or shape. Sorry I am finding it hard to describe exactly what I mean but you are on the right path here. Michael.

A great crepe mate! Loads of flowers.

Thanks Michael,
The winter look will probably give me a better idea. The leaves are starting to turn yellow now (its getting cooler down this way) so a good look is not far away. I might take another couple of photos when it has lost its leaves.

Hi Watto it is looking good. Mine is confused, flowering again in April (second flush) ridiculous.

Hi Hard1all

Although flowering is on the ends of the growth it is possible to get both flowers AND controlled growth on Crepe Myrtles provided that appropriate techniques are used. In short all pruning should stop by the first of December to allow the flowering shoots to develop.

Of course this will not force it to flower but if the wood is mature enough the tree should flower well.

Dennis Mc