2022 discount rack contest: 19mateo83’s Black Diamond Crepe Myrtle

[19Mateo83]

I bought this little tree early this spring, roughly the same time I bought my AP that’s also in the contest. It is the Black Diamond brands “lavender and lace”. I figured what the heck…. Originally this tree was $29.99 at lowes. It was on the markdown rack for $15. I was happy purchasing it for that since there was 5 trunks in the pot. When I went to check out the cashier rang it up for $5, so essentially this is a $1 tree. I think that’s about as discount as you can get. The other 4 got potted up separately also. This one did get root work and has a fairly radial root system and all roots pointing down were trimmed off.
here it is after separation from the clump and root work April 7th

 

[19Mateo83]

I set it aside and kinda forgot about it for a few months. Here it is on June 8th when I decided to remember I had this and did a trunk chop. Probably not my greatest idea but it WAS only a dollar

 

[19Mateo83]

Here it is today, July 5th. I removed a handlebar branch and picked off some small white insect egg looking things filled with magenta goo… I don’t know what they were but they are dead now.

Before

After

 

[Kullas]

Looks good. They grow fast.

 

[19Mateo83]

August update, thickening happening and wounds healing

 

[19Mateo83]

This crepe played dead all year but has put off a couple leaves in the last month. I will update pictures this weekend.

 

[brentwood]

Here it is today, July 5th. I removed a handlebar branch and picked off some small white insect egg looking things filled with magenta goo… I don’t know what they were but they are dead now.....

That's funny, my quince is loaded with those little bastages - they ignore all the other plants in that area. I keep washing them off, squishing, spraying with Neem - keep coming back for more...

B

 

[19Mateo83]

I’m calling this one dead.

 

[19Mateo83]

To my great surprise, there’s new growth on this little Myrtle. I guess Ian Malcom was right.