exposed root Crape Myrtle

[JudyB]

I'm a little late finishing up my wiring this year, especially as the winter may end earlier than normal. But the Crape's don't pop leaves till late so I do them last anyway. This is my exposed root. It'll get a new pot when it's time, much shallower, and glazed. I'll also lower the tree about an inch into the soil, it's just a touch too high I think.
enjoy...

 

[tmmason10]

You've been busy eh Judy? Everything is looking really nice, thanks for posting.

 

[JudyB]

Update in it's new pot. I simplified the roots, and planted it a bit lower. Works better with less confusion. Will be working on branch structure this year, and will probably cut the too heavy left apex branch back some.
Got a ways to go....

 

[Randy]

The change in the roots look much more pleasing to the eye. I really like that blue as well!

 

[JudyB]

another year along

Here is the tree now, after repotting and a snip job.
I lowered it again, JKL once told me that I'd be happier with it that way, and of course he was right. This may be the spot it stays in, I still think it's a quirky thing, but it's the interest of the tree. Branching is coming along..

Oh, and this one was the one that had that wilt problem last year, (probably got dry), but the roots were solid and healthy today when I repotted, so no permanent damage.

 

[tmmason10]

Looks good Judy!

 

[PaulH]

Nice. Looks like a Spooky Old Tree.

 

[jk_lewis]

Yup. Now I'm happy.

 

[JudyB]

Yup. Now I'm happy.

me too. thanks for the push oh so long ago.

 

[NewWorldBonsai]

Looking good! Lots of character in that little tree. I'm glad you decided to expose the roots.

Have you considered repotting it in a circular or oval pot? I wonder how it would look it planted it at the left edge of the pot.

 

[catfish chapstick]

nice, i like the pot color. i bet that looks good in combination with the leaves.

 

[JudyB]

Looking good! Lots of character in that little tree. I'm glad you decided to expose the roots.

Have you considered repotting it in a circular or oval pot? I wonder how it would look it planted it at the left edge of the pot.

Actually it's been a 3 year process lowering this one... It's roots were even more exposed than you see them now. But it just looked sloppy, and awkward. I can't plant at the left edge, as the majority of the roots trail to that side. But it's an interesting idea. I may look for another slightly deeper pot at some point for this tree, it did dry out last year once. I think it may be the kind of pot/glaze that makes it dry out faster. I do like this color and shape though...

@catfish, yes, it does, especially when they first start to open, as they're red tipped chartruse green. I'll post when it does that for you.

 

[JudyB]

Fall color on this tree is so funny, it always turns from inside out, new growth way later than older growth. But brilliant yellow against green is nice.
enjoy.

 

[jk_lewis]

The solution to that, of course, is to not let the tree stay so bushy late in the summer. If you allow it to bloom, cut back right afterward. I seldom allow my little ones to bloom, so they're cut back all summer long.

 

[JudyB]

I used to cut this back after blooming, but I've decided I need to let it run for a few seasons, to develop it more fully. I'll be doing some selections this winter, and will let it run again next year. Primary branching is about a season away from where I'd like it to be.
Thanks, I'm sure that once I do prune more often during the growing season, that will solve the differences.

 

[jk_lewis]

I used to cut this back after blooming, but I've decided I need to let it run for a few seasons, to develop it more fully. I'll be doing some selections this winter, and will let it run again next year. Primary branching is about a season away from where I'd like it to be.

You will get it more quickly if you prune regularly -- AND you will have to do less wiring.

 

[JudyB]

You will get it more quickly if you prune regularly -- AND you will have to do less wiring.

Even if thickness in the primary branching is what I'm after?

 

[jk_lewis]

Even if thickness in the primary branching is what I'm after?

Yup. Thickness doesn't come with the length -- especially with crape myrtles. It comes after the creation of side branches. The branch always gets a bit thicker with each branch crated. You get more branches with pruning. You get longer internodes and fewer branches with lengthening.

Long branches with crape myrtle seem especially likely to have branch tip dieback, too.

 

[JudyB]

Interesting tip, thank you - I'll adjust my technique with CM's.