Slender Crepe Myrtle

[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.

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Jan 2022 as was when purchased

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Winter 2022 just before repotting

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Winter 2022 repotting. Had great roots developed by previous owner.

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A bit of the autumn colour 2023

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Before cutting back winter 2023

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After re-working winter 2023

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Into custom pot

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[GavinG]

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

Gavin

[Patmet]

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]

Just did the winter prune on this. Branch structure is improving a little each year.

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[fae]

Looks good, like the slender trunks.
Fiona