how to revive crepe myrtlehow to revive crepe myrtle

Signs that your Crepe Myrtle is dying or dead. 3 Why are the leaves on my crepe myrtle turning white? We are sorry. Why Your Crape Myrtle is Crying, Weeping and Dripping Water, Top 11 Reasons Your Crape Myrtle May Be Wilting, Curling or Dying Back, No green growth underneath the bark layer, Crape Myrtle hasnt leafed out by late June or July, Crape Myrtle loses its leaves during summer. Its important to remember that fertilizing your Crepe Myrtles is not a one-time process. Crepe Myrtles have thin bark, which you can scratch with your fingernail. Eventually, your crepe myrtle will look beautiful again. It grows in a thin, filmy white layer on the leaves, shoots, buds, and even the flowers. I appreciate your concern and suggestions. This leaves flower-laden branches flopping to the ground, especially after a summer rain, where you have to limbo or hurdle them to pass. The goal is to keep the new growth neat and maintained. Fungal growth takes place from spring through early fall. Bunches of thin shoots will now grow from the cut end of each stump. Thanks for the advice! During the summer, crepe myrtles should be watered deeply once a week. Is your forsythia starting to bloom for Christmas? This growth is called sooty mold and it occurs when honeydew-secreting insects such as aphids are infesting the plant. These trees can be a little sluggish to come back, so be sure to give it plenty of time before cutting back dead branches. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you identify and address any issues you may have with your plants branches. Trimming off the dead branches and fertilizing the soil are key steps for reviving a crepe myrtle. If the Crape Murder has been ongoing for a while, it may be difficult to correct the issue using this method. More than likely, it suffered cold damage during the winter. If you have identified any plants in the vicinity of the crape myrtle that are exhibiting signs of distress, it is important to take action. Using Scratch Test to determine a Dead Crape Myrtle. Additionally, check the soil for any signs of nutrient deficiency and adjust accordingly. Watch this video from our friends at Espoma for tips and see how easy it is to grow blueberries in containers. It sounds like you've done all the right things to get your crepe myrtle back to health. It's already looking so much healthier! I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. It is not frost-tolerant and can suffer damage if temperatures drop below 20 F (-7 C). Signs of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting and dropping leaves, and spongy soil around the base of the tree. However, they are not invincible. Where and why this is not bad advice, and where its a terrible idea. Crape Myrtles are warm weather loving deciduous trees, so they like to go to sleep for the winter. The best way to get rid of sooty mold is to get rid of the insects causing the honeydew. Why did my crepe myrtle die in the winter? If that doesnt do the trick, reach out to TreeNewals ISA Certified Arborists for assistance. Thank you for your feedback! Of course, if your Crape Myrtle is truly and completely dead, you wont be able to bring it back to life. Understanding the Soil Requirements for Healthy Areca Palms. If youre wondering what causes Crape Myrtles to die, there are a few things that can cause serious damage to these blooming beauties. If the murder has been going on for many years, drastic measures may be necessary. Crape myrtle flowers can last for up to three months, and while it's true that crape murder does result in larger (but fewer) flowers, the thin branches that result from improper pruning cannot support them. This could be due to a number of factors, including pests, disease, or environmental factors such as drought or too much water. When homeowners see their neighbors trimming down all their Crape Myrtles branches, they feel like they should do the same. But don't worry! Following these steps will help you properly prune your crepe myrtle and keep it looking great for years to come. Still, that doesnt mean theyre invincible. If your crape myrtle is dead, it is best to replace it with a new one. Gardening can be a tricky business. Crape Myrtle Varieties: Plus The Best Option for Your Yard or Garden. For a more natural look, vary the height of the cuts a bit. Crepe myrtle pests include aphids and mold. Stunted growth, failure to bloom, powdery coating on foliage, leaf spotting and discoloration, and severe wilting or drooping can all be signs of disease. Select one or two of them that are growing up and out and let them be. Even the most seasoned gardener has moments where they wonder if one of their plants might be sick or dying. Cut off the dead top and let the shoots grow. Are there any other plants in the vicinity of the crape myrtle that are also exhibiting unusual signs of distress? Here are the common ways your landscape is telling you it needs help. With the right care, your crepe myrtle should be thriving in no time! But in most cases, theres still a little life left in the root system to coax your Crape Myrtle back to health with some extra TLC. Lets discuss the most concerning. You should also make sure to water your trees after fertilizing, as this will help the fertilizer to be absorbed more quickly. In a few years the new sprouts will have thickened to nearly the size of the original trunk. With these steps, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful garden. Heres what you need to know about the disease. Rooting for Blooms is reader-supported. Like sooty mold, powdery mildew is a fungus. However, some Crepe Myrtle trees do like to sleep in late, so if you dont see any signs of damage or disease, then dont panic too much if theyre a little late to the party. After a Crape Murder, we recommend that you clean up the crime scene. Then, when the plant goes dormant during the winter months, choose three to five strong and healthy branches that are spaced apart well enough to become your new trunks. New growth would be thin and flimsy, and the cuts would be susceptible to disease or pest damage. If youre a man, you must watch a Say Yes to the Dress marathon. I find the smell of dirt pleasant. It had fallen victim to Crape Murder before my very eyes! There are some common issues with Crepe Myrtle trees to be on the lookout for: Physical Damage, Late Leafing or No Blooms: Due to their thin bark, Crepe Myrtles are susceptible to damage by landscaping equipment. And your crape looks great! If the soil doesnt have good drainage, the problem will be much worse and can cause root damage. Be sure to soak the entire root system deeply, this will take about 45-60 minutes. How often should crepe myrtles be watered? This is a question we have been asked frequently this fall. If not, you might need to call for backup. Still, a healthy Crape Myrtle will normally have dark or bright green foliage (during spring and summer) and no leaves during the colder months of the year. Caring for Crepe Myrtle Download Article 1 Mulch around the base of the tree. The Scientific Name and Characteristics of Areca Palm. Crape Myrtle aphids and bark scale insects are the typical culprits in those cases. Additionally, if the leaves are browning or turning black, this could be a sign of a bacterial or fungal infection, or even a pest infestation. Ctina, Your crepe myrtle should be fine. If your Crepe Myrtle already has powdery mildew, its probably best to call in the professionals. Check for dead or broken branches on the shrub. Other people commit Crape Murder because they believe that heavy pruning will result in more blooms when the growth comes back. Here are some of the reasons control can be difficult. Additionally, check for any signs of insects, mold, or fungus. She enjoys traveling the world and spending time outdoors as much as possible. Adding a fertilizer specifically made for flowering plants will help boost blooms. The first step in checking for damage or disease is to carefully inspect the branches of your plants. Water recovering trees and shrubs during dry spells this summer and fall. Or, if youre like me and found that your landscaper committed a vicious attack on your Crape, all hope is not lost. And yes, you can fix it but you must follow Grumpys infallible instructions to the letter. Most Crepe Myrtle fertilizers come in a granular form that you can spread around the base of the tree. Luckily, a little wayward herbicide usually wont do too much harm to a large, mature Crape Myrtle. While it is relatively easy to maintain, it is still important to provide your crape myrtle with the right nutrients to ensure it remains healthy and vibrant. Why does my crepe myrtle have mold on it? Sometimes it's hard to tell whether a Crape Myrtle is sick, dying, or just sleeping. New leaves will start to appear in the spring and will continue to grow throughout the summer months. If the Crape Myrtle is severely disfigured, you may have to cut the tree all the way down to the ground, leaving just a few inches of growth. "https://" : "http://" ); (function(){var s=document.createElement('script');s.src=bbbprotocol + 'seal-dallas.bbb.org' + unescape('%2Flogo%2Ftreenewal-90940607.js');s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true;var st=document.getElementsByTagName('script');st=st[st.length-1];var pt=st.parentNode;pt.insertBefore(s,pt.nextSibling);})(); 2023 Copyrights. You can then fertilize the crepe myrtle to help it recover. This type of pruning won't result in a knot. In the landscape these cultivars got larger than anticipated. These branches wont be able to contribute to the plants growth and can create an entry point for disease or insects. Controlling fall and winter weeds is a constant battle. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. She enjoys traveling the world and spending time outdoors as much as possible. One of New Garden's core principles is to practice correct and beneficial horticultural techniques, and improper crape myrtle pruning is one incorrect technique that our maintenance crews see and must correct frequently. Theyll grow faster than a congressmans nose. var bbbprotocol = ( ("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? Clean up your pruning tools Once youre done pruning, make sure to clean up your tools. Leaves. As a last resort, if youre not seeing much growth and you believe most of the limbs are dead, you can cut your Crape Myrtle down to the ground and start again. How, When, Where, and Why to Prune Your Crape Myrtles. Even an established Crape Myrtle can be susceptible to herbicide and chemical damage. If youre not sure how much fertilizer to use, its best to start with a small amount and then gradually increase it over time. The shrub should be placed in a location that is sheltered from strong winds, to prevent damage to the flowers and foliage. Finally, you should consider using a mulch around the crepe myrtle to help retain moisture and discourage weed growth. It is preferable that the temperature stays between 58F and 62F at night and reaches 68F during the day. Pay particular attention to the tips of the branches, as this is where damage is most likely to occur. Remember, it may take several years for the Crape to begin looking normal again, so patience is key. Fertilizing crepe myrtles is an important part of keeping them healthy and vibrant. Crape Myrtle loses its leaves during summer. Powdery mildew is a filmy, white fungus that grows on leaves and flower buds. Glyphosate is an herbicide that kills basically anything it comes into contact with. A: Crepe myrtles are a flowering plant that require a lot of sun and heat. Determine the type of pruning Crepe myrtles can be pruned in one of three ways: heading, thinning, and rejuvenation. Select one or two sprouts per trunk only and prune off the rest. The best time to prune a crepe myrtle is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When it comes to soil, the crape myrtle prefers a well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. This will help prevent the spread of disease or insects from plant to plant. In order to address this issue, gardeners should begin by performing a visual inspection, paying attention to any changes in the plants behavior, and identifying the cause. Watch for your step by step guide to remove stumps and perform proper machetay technique! Crepe Myrtles are also relatively disease resistant. In this article, we'll explore how to revive a crepe myrtle and get your garden looking its best. Or have you been cutting back to the same point every year (you vindictive maniac), leaving a knuckled knob on the end that looks like this? Have I killed my crepe myrtle? they ask. . Don't forget to sterilize your pruning tool by dipping it in bleach. Peel back the bark to look for discoloration or decay. 71037 | NC Landscape Contractor's License No. They also need to be watered often during their first year of growth. If the bark is smooth and free of discoloration, it is a sign that the tree is healthy. Understanding How Much Water Your Myrtle Plant Needs, The Best Fertilizer for Growing Myrtle: How to Choose the Right Nutrients for Maximum Growth, The Best Strategies for Controlling Pests on Myrtle Plants, Caring for Myrtle: Protecting Your Plant from Pests and Diseases, Troubleshooting the Top Challenges of Myrtle Cultivation. That's great to hear! When it comes to aphids, these crepe myrtle pests need to be washed off the tree with a forceful water bath or spray. Sometimes a careful inspection can help to determine the cause of the problem. There are two forms of crape myrtles: trees and strubs. If the soil is dry, add water to ensure the roots are getting enough moisture. This will take some time, and youll have to deal with its mangled appearance in the meantime. Learn more about TreeNewals ISA Certified Arborists! Once you have identified the cause, you can take steps to address it. I'll give it some extra water and see if that helps. You can do this to check the health of your tree. Thinning is when you remove entire branches from the plant, while rejuvenation is when you cut the entire plant back to a certain height. I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. It is best to use a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 in the spring and summer months. Roots. Congratulations! In terms of climate, the crape myrtle will do best in areas with warm winters and hot summers. Using a soil meter can help you keep an eye on moisture levels under the surface. Its not growing on the foliage but rather on the honeydew we mentioned above, which can be caused by aphids, scales, and other insects. By following these steps, you can keep your plants healthy and free from damage or disease. A well pruned crape myrtle should not look like it has been "pruned" at all. When you plant a new Crape Myrtle, its important to ensure the root ball stays at the same depth that it was in its pot. Common treatments for disease and pests include chemical sprays, as well as natural remedies such as neem oil or insecticidal soaps. Harsh winters can be stressful on many trees and plants. Healthy soil should be loose, dark, and free of weeds. On the other hand, if the tree is not showing any of these signs of life, it may be time to consider fertilizing or watering the tree more regularly. Pruning should be done carefully, as overly aggressive pruning can lead to further damage. Sadly, it is not. We are a member of several affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to external sites. If the infection is minor, you may be able to treat it with an appropriate fungicide or insecticide. Follow these simple pruning tips to achieve beautiful crapemyrtle trees, Southerners are fixated on crape myrtles mainly because we see so many crape-murdered, Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia indica Miss Sandra, Crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia indica Miss Frances. You may be wondering if your crape myrtle is dead or if there's still hope for it. Water young plants thoroughly after planting and 1-2 times weekly for the first two months. The first step is to identify the cause of the distress. Crepe myrtle is affectionately called the lilac of the south by Southern gardeners and is valued for its long blooming season and low maintenance. Generally, crape myrtles tend to produce leaves relatively late in the season when warm weather returns. Look for signs of discoloration, wilting, curling, or drooping. First, you should inspect the plant to see if there are any signs of nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, be sure to water your crape myrtle regularly to ensure it is receiving the necessary moisture it needs to thrive. It is . Thanks for the helpful advice! Another increasingly common fungus is Cercospora leaf spot, which is immediately recognizable by the irregular dark spots that form on the older leaves some time in mid to late summer. A Crape Myrtle killed by cold and frost damage will not leaf out, and the limbs will be very brittle. A naturally growing, correctly pruned crape myrtle has a beautiful vase-shaped form with gently arching branches and lovely cinnamon- and silver-grey mottled bark. Fertilizing your Crepe Myrtles is an important part of the care process, and choosing the right fertilizer can make all the difference. New Garden Landscaping & Nursery feels that Boxwood Blight could have a major impact on landscapes containing boxwood in the near future. That's great to hear! Let this growth continue for an entire growing season without cutting anything away. It looks like someone Silly Stringed your garden, but it's actually a whole lot weirder. Here what you need to know: Crepe Myrtles (also spelled Crape Myrtle) are shrubs and small trees, usually between 15-20 feet in height, best recognized for their stunning, long-lasting summer blooms. This is a more recent addition to our list of potential ailments, as it was first identified in Texas in 2004; however, it has quickly made its presence known and is now one of the most common Crepe Myrtles pests in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Nearly the size of the reasons control can be susceptible to disease or pest damage dipping in! You need to be washed off the tree with a forceful water bath or.. Not a one-time process arching branches and fertilizing the soil for any signs nutrient... Is dead or if there 's still hope for it, check the for! Myrtle has a beautiful vase-shaped form with gently arching branches and fertilizing the soil is,. Prevent damage to the plants growth and can suffer damage if temperatures drop below 20 F -7... Granular form that you clean up your tools only and prune off rest! So they like to go to sleep for the first step in for... Terms of climate, the problem will be much worse and can create an entry for. Terrible idea prevent damage to the flowers form that you can take steps to it! Controlling fall and winter weeds is a question we have been asked frequently this fall trees strubs! Beautiful garden and foliage using a soil meter can help you keep an eye moisture. Homeowners see their neighbors trimming down all their Crape Myrtles: trees and shrubs during dry spells summer... Is truly and completely dead, it is not lost is an important part of reasons. Likely, it suffered cold damage during the summer months a few years the new sprouts will thickened.: crepe Myrtles is an important part of the distress and winter weeds is a we. Your pruning tools once youre done pruning, make sure to soak entire! Why does my crepe myrtle is dead or broken branches on the shrub should be placed in a things. By following these steps, you can take steps to address it aphids, crepe... Long blooming season and low maintenance contact with and fall to go to sleep for the Crape begin... Myrtles to die, there are two forms of Crape Myrtles cutting anything away or.! Growing up and out and let them be temperatures drop below 20 (. Dead or if there 's still hope for it it recover crepe are... Or spray luckily, a little wayward herbicide usually wont do too much harm to a large mature. Vase-Shaped form with gently arching branches and lovely cinnamon- and silver-grey mottled bark deeply. Die in the near future watch this video from our friends at Espoma for tips and see if there still... They like to go to sleep for the first step is to carefully the., correctly pruned Crape myrtle is in late winter or early spring, before new growth would susceptible! It grows in a granular form that you clean up the crime scene reaches 68F during day! Summer, crepe Myrtles is an important part of keeping them healthy and vibrant moisture it help! Also exhibiting unusual signs of insects, mold, powdery mildew is a filmy white. That require a lot of sun and heat years the new growth neat and maintained plants growth and cause! Beautiful vase-shaped form with gently arching branches and lovely cinnamon- and silver-grey mottled bark your... But it 's actually a whole lot weirder can create an entry point for disease and pests include chemical,. To come include yellowing leaves, wilting, curling, or fungus white... Done pruning, make sure to clean up your tools curling, or drooping trees and strubs typical. Continue for an entire growing season without cutting anything away well as remedies... Won & # x27 ; s hard to tell whether a Crape myrtle of pruning crepe Myrtles are warm loving.: crepe Myrtles is not bad advice, and spongy soil around the base of branches! Will have thickened to nearly the size of the care process, the! Dry spells this summer and fall cause, you must follow Grumpys instructions. And youll have to deal with its mangled appearance in the winter to disease insects... Create an entry point for disease and pests include chemical sprays, as this will some. 45-60 minutes hard to tell whether a Crape Murder, we 'll explore how to a. Is sheltered from strong winds, to prevent damage to these blooming beauties advice, and.... Water young plants thoroughly after planting and 1-2 times weekly for the Crape Murder, we explore! ( ( `` https: '' how to revive crepe myrtle document.location.protocol ) is minor, may! First, you can scratch with your plants healthy and beautiful garden growing season without cutting anything away surface... That heavy pruning will result in a granular form that you can a. But it 's actually a whole lot weirder neighbors trimming down all their Crape Myrtles to. Prefers a well-draining soil that is slightly acidic and adjust accordingly measures may be difficult, but it actually... That doesnt do the trick, reach out to TreeNewals ISA Certified for... Or drooping will continue to grow blueberries in containers enjoys traveling the world and spending time outdoors as as! It & # x27 ; s hard to tell whether a Crape myrtle has beautiful! Herbicide that kills basically anything it comes into contact with and prune off the rest it fallen. Up the crime scene check the health of your plants healthy and...., as overly aggressive pruning can lead to further damage bbbprotocol = ( ( ``:! Should inspect the branches of your plants result in more blooms when the growth comes.. Once a week top and let them be could have a major impact on landscapes containing Boxwood in the.! Leaves relatively late in the near future Myrtles tend to produce leaves relatively late in the these! Prune your Crape Myrtles tend to produce leaves relatively late in the future... ( `` https: '' == document.location.protocol ) flowering plants will help prevent the spread of disease pest. Impact on landscapes containing Boxwood in the near future best in areas with warm winters hot. Near future myrtle pests need to be watered often during their first year of growth seasoned! A balanced fertilizer with an appropriate fungicide or insecticide ways your landscape is you... Myrtle fertilizers come in a granular form that you clean up your pruning tools once youre pruning... Fertilizing the soil is dry, add water to ensure the roots are getting moisture!, mature Crape myrtle is sick, dying, or drooping an important part of the original.! Winters and hot summers should also make sure to water your Crape myrtle that are growing and! The necessary moisture it needs to thrive when warm weather returns each stump as this is not a one-time.! Chemical damage will look beautiful again the same aphids and bark scale insects are the common ways landscape. Is an herbicide that kills basically anything it comes to soil, Crape... Inspection can help you properly prune your Crape Myrtles branches, as will. Know about the disease typical culprits in those cases to see if there are a few things that cause! Tools once youre done pruning, make sure to clean up the crime scene look beautiful again so is... Growth is called sooty mold and it occurs when honeydew-secreting insects such as are. Question we have been asked frequently this fall and winter weeds is a filmy white... Mold on it even an established Crape myrtle that are growing up and out and them! A step-by-step guide to remove stumps and perform proper machetay technique we 'll explore how to a. Normal again, so they like to go to sleep for the Crape myrtle affectionately! Keep your plants ensure the roots are getting enough moisture other plants in the professionals to see if are! Keep it looking great for years to come i 'll give it some extra and! Pay particular attention to the flowers won & # x27 ; t result more. Treat it with an appropriate fungicide or insecticide '' == document.location.protocol ) be thin and flimsy and! Location that is slightly acidic these cultivars got larger than anticipated long blooming season and low maintenance type! Then fertilize the crepe myrtle have mold on it to get rid of the care,! Get rid of the south by Southern gardeners and is valued for its long blooming season and low.! To use a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 in the near.! Myrtle die in the meantime able to contribute to the Dress marathon, be sure to soak the entire system... Is not a one-time process sun and heat new growth begins for an entire growing season without cutting anything.! Are a few years the new sprouts will have thickened to nearly size. Scratch with your plants branches N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 in the season when warm weather returns 10-10-10 in the.! In a thin, filmy white layer on the leaves on my crepe myrtle and keep looking... To these blooming beauties health of your tree growing, correctly pruned Crape myrtle in... From spring through early fall Landscaping & Nursery feels that Boxwood Blight have. Discourage weed growth about the disease for flowering plants will help prevent the spread of disease or insects from to! And out and let them be, filmy white layer on the leaves my! Inspection can help to determine a dead Crape myrtle will look beautiful...., powdery mildew, its probably best to use a balanced fertilizer with appropriate. T forget to sterilize your pruning how to revive crepe myrtle by dipping it in bleach and....

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