Dwarf Crepe myrtle

Elmer · Post by **Elmer** » July 8th, 2018, 4:15 pm

Recently acquired this from a friend, not sure what if anything I should change. 8yrs old.

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shibui · Post by **shibui** » July 8th, 2018, 6:59 pm

That is a nice little trunk. Plenty of interesting bends and good taper.
A couple of the branches seem to be very straight. I guess someone has let them grow fast, probably in a single year. Bonsai always seem to look better when all the parts are similar so I would be trying to get plenty of bends into the branches so they reflect the trunk. You'll have to have a look and see if you think you could put appropriate bends into them with wire but sometimes it is better to cut them short and grow new branches from the new shoots that will form after pruning. Fortunately crepe myrtle shoots extremely well after pruning.

Boics · Post by **Boics** » July 8th, 2018, 7:38 pm

As always Shibui is correct.
Great trunk, time to restart all the branching.
Whilst you could persevere with some of the bits and pieces it's not worth it.
Chop em all back just before bud burst I reckon.
See what pops up in terms buds, pick a trunk line and start the process.
Keep us posted, I see a great future here.
P.s. I've been defoliating my CMs up to 3 times a season.
Helps immensely with ramification.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » July 8th, 2018, 8:02 pm

Aah, a tree with great bones.
The advice given is all good and correct, but I just want to see it in a year or three.
Please.

robb63 · Post by **robb63** » July 8th, 2018, 8:15 pm

Hi Elmer
Agree with what's been said. However!!!
Mate there's one thing you could definitely change on this CM.
That would be its address. My place is available to accommodate that change

I have looked long n hard for a CM trunk like that to collect in Sydney without luck yet. That's a beauty.
I would be doing as Boics suggests with branches or at least removing/regrowing long strait bits.
Then I would pop that puppy in the ground a few years if it were mine.

melbrackstone · Post by **melbrackstone** » July 8th, 2018, 8:41 pm

I agree with everyone else, that's a beaut trunkline, and will give you plenty to go on with. TBH I prefer the side views to the front and back, but that's just me. Wait til you see some buds, then you should be able to choose some good spots to prune those straight bits away. I waited a couple of years with mine, before I finally saw the light, so I'm having to grow a good deal of it back again, but they are pretty good at reshooting on branches, (not necessarily so much on the trunk, I've found.)

If you want flowers you will need to get all your pruning done by the end of October, (generally,) then if you let it grow it should produce flower buds.

Good get, well done!

Elmer · Post by **Elmer** » July 9th, 2018, 10:41 am

Shibui, I don't think my wiring skills are up to the challenge especially with such snappy wood. My friend got it two years ago when it had been freshly dug from the ground and he wanted it to gain strength. I took a lot off recently but with your input think I will go harder on the branches. Thanks

Boics, thanks for the tip re defoliation.

Robb63, no chance mate, I have always loved CM and this was a score even to my untrained eye. I really like the current trunk size would ground growing again throw the proportions out?

Ryceman3 · Post by **Ryceman3** » July 9th, 2018, 11:42 am

Elmer wrote: I really like the current trunk size would ground growing again throw the proportions out?

Yep. If you’re happy with the trunk girth no need to ground grow from here. I think it looks fine proportionally, time to look at the branching I think. There’s plenty to like in this tree.

GavinG · Post by **GavinG** » July 9th, 2018, 3:11 pm

For me, the lowest left branch is parallel and close to the big branch/trunk thing that is more important. I think it needs to go. Don't be afraid to cut hard - the general rule is, if it's straight/dull/irritating, get rid of it. Sooner the better.

Please keep posting. Down here where it's cooler I can prune back twice before I let it run for flowering - that seems to be a good compromise between good flowers and keeping some kind of form to the tree.

Gavin

Elmer · Post by **Elmer** » November 23rd, 2018, 2:54 pm

Following the good advice received a few months ago I gave this a hard cut back, having just trimmed for a second time this spring I thought I would share some updated pics.

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Watto · Post by **Watto** » November 23rd, 2018, 3:31 pm

Thanks for the update, it is appreciated.
There has been a lot of good advice given for CM's and now that is there for everyone to consume.
If I may put my next order in, a photo during flowering please.

Deleros · Post by **Deleros** » November 23rd, 2018, 5:52 pm

There is something I still don't like from this tree, and it's the first/second branches position.
Both of them grow up from the central trunk at the same direction, this is something you barely will find in nature. Of course you can have living examples, but they will be the rare ones..

The first/segon branches mostly grow to opposite sides one from the other.
By extension, if you have a look at your tree from the top, two consecutive branches must never be more proximate than 20'-30' dispersion.

What I would do: cut one of them and promote a vertical separation between the first and third (now second) branch on the right..

As I see you have moved down the rear branch, I would use it as ichi. If you prefer to use the frontal one because trunk is wider, that's fine also. But you need to grow it large to make it wider and more similar to initial part of the branch.

At same time, you may wire the selected branch to have a natural movement. Down branches usually grow in horizontal, grow down, and grow up at the end. This is because of the weight of the branch.

Regards!

instagram: Deleros Bonsai
Visit me at: El Jardí Petit

Elmer · Post by **Elmer** » November 24th, 2018, 8:23 am

Thanks for your input Deleros, that first branch is an issue still. I was thinking of air layering it but really don't know why as I have no room for the trees I already have let alone another, it will get the chop soon enough I think

Max · Post by **Max** » November 24th, 2018, 10:42 am

i thought removing the second branch would be the better option, creating negative space

MJL · Post by **MJL** » November 25th, 2018, 7:55 am

Starting with a few caveats:-
1. I am reasonably hungover from a poker night which is effecting my ability to think clearly but I need something to take my mind off my headache....
2. I am not sure I think clearly in a normal state ....
3. I feel uncomfortable offering advice on trees that are better than anything I own but .... refer point 1.

On this tree - great bones but these photos below explain what jumps out at me - headache and all.

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I think whatever that branch is ... I think it is the lowest branch but I get confused by photo angles ... it may be worth sending that branch on an excursion to the green bin....

Also - I think you have already removed the straights bits of the branches ... and if so, we’ll done.

Anyway ... I won’t be offended if my thoughts are ignored - whatever you do - you have a fantastic foundation and I look foreword to future updates.

Bonsai teaches me patience.

AusBonsai