Crape Myrtle

[Deadwood]

Ive had this tree in the ground for about 4 years now and it has failed to really thrive....but has flowered and remained alive. I would really like to see it become a nice bonsai someday. I brought it with me from north Cali. Do you guys see potential, it is she a lost cause. The cut at the base wher a branch was broken by my children...i do think it could be carved out. PS....should it remain in the ground?

 

[ZenZilla]

I think it has potential we brought one back from Va. Beach that's in the ground too.
Namaste

 

[jk_lewis]

It's too tall and thin to the "V" branching, and the leaves are too large for a smaller bonsai, so I think I would leave it in the ground and look for one of the smaller leafed crape myrtle -- perhaps one of the newer ones with the lovely orange bark.

If you do continue thinking of it as a bonsai, you will need to chop it about 4-6 inches above the base and start over. When it goes in the pot, plant it a bit deeper so those fat roots merely become the swelling at the bottom of the tree. They're not very attractive as is.

But all in all, you can do better.

 

[Dan W.]

Great signature!

 

[Deadwood]

I really dislike this tree in general.....Ive had it this long hoping for it to anchor the corner of my yard...i may just chop it and plant it deeper..i hate to throw any living plant. im not necessarily looking for a C.m. speciman....i just happened to have this already..this nasty thing..lol

 

[GrimLore]

I really dislike this tree in general.....Ive had it this long hoping for it to anchor the corner of my yard...i may just chop it and plant it deeper..i hate to throw any living plant. im not necessarily looking for a C.m. speciman....i just happened to have this already..this nasty thing..lol

Chop it and put it in a good size pot a little deeper - no need to toss it really and given time it could be real nice.

Grimmy

 

[Deadwood]

I gave it about 5" of trunk, cleaned up the tangled mess of roots, and put it back in the ground...the roots were a serious mess...just a lot of girdling. I washed a lot of potting soil away....after 4-5 years!! That explained why she wouldn't grow and thrive. I guess we will see what happens.

 

[drew33998]

Is it in full sun? If not plant it in full sun. Some cultivars grow faster than others. Muskogee grows super fast here in Fl, however the problem is the larger foliage. Grafting smaller cultivars onto the larger varieties is also an option. I have about two dozen crepes as landscaping, all different cultivars for the most part. Some grow strong others haven't put on hardly any girth in several years.