Crepe Myrtle Bonsai Care is a topic that we will discuss in detail. This article covers the basics of crepe myrtle bonsai and what you need to know about caring for your plant.
We also give some tips on how to keep your plant healthy and strong, as well as how it should be trimmed over time. If you’re looking for more information on this topic, then read below!
The Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
The crepe myrtle bonsai is a great plant if you want it to be. If grown correctly, this will thrive in temperatures of 45-54 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months so as not affect its dormancy and drop leaves naturally by themselves!
Gardeners and growers of crepe myrtle alike were in need for a new type of crepe myrtle that was more compact, so they could be grown without being pruned each year. The crepe myrtle bonsai—a new variety of tree that blooms well, resists disease and is hardy.
Some plants like the crape myrtle are meant for growing outside. They need a period of winter dormancy and cannot survive in areas with harsh winters without it. This is why the crepe myrtle bonsai can be a great alternative, as they will survive and flourish indoors for many years without dying!
The Crepe Myrtle Care Basics
So now that you’ve read about this amazing plant, let’s talk about the basics. As we mentioned previously, to keep your crape myrtle bonsai healthy, you should water it regularly and fertilize it twice a month during the spring and summer months.
In order to keep your plant looking great, you will need to trim it every few months. This is important because it will help maintain the shape of the tree. Make sure that when you’re trimming, that you only remove dead leaves and branches.
Let’s talk about specifics!
Watering the Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
When it comes to watering your crepe myrtle bonsai, you should water it every day during the summer months and once a week during the winter. This will help keep the soil moist and prevent your plant from drying out.
Fertilizing the Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
As we mentioned earlier, you should fertilize your crepe myrtle bonsai twice a month during the spring and summer. This will help keep it healthy and looking great!
Trimming the Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
As we also mentioned earlier, you should trim your crepe myrtle bonsai every few months in order to maintain its shape. Make sure when you’re trimming that you only remove dead leaves and branches.
That’s all for now! We hope this article was helpful in teaching you the basics of crepe myrtle bonsai care. For more information, be sure to check out our other articles on the subject!
Propagation of the Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
The Crepe Myrtle Bonsai can be propagated by rooting hardwood cuttings taken from the current season’s growth. Take a cutting that is at least four inches long and has two or three leaves attached. Remove the lower leaves and dip the end of the cutting into a hormone rooting powder.
Stick the cutting into moist potting soil and place it in an area that will get indirect sunlight. Keep the cutting moist but not wet while rooting occurs, which takes about eight to twelve weeks. Prune off any growths from lower buds when they are two or three inches long during spring after initial pruning for bonsai training has been completed.
You can also propagate the Crepe Myrtle Bonsai by air layering.
This is a process where you remove a ring of bark from around the trunk of the plant and then wrap moist sphagnum moss around the wound. Secure the moss in place with plastic wrap and rubber banding, making sure to keep it moist. Roots will form in a few months and can be removed from the plant.
Pruning and Wiring the Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
After the initial pruning of your crepe myrtle bonsai is complete, you will need to keep it healthy by regularly trimming and wiring.
You should remove any dead leaves or branches during the springtime when they are young, in order to promote new growth. Trim back all shoots that extend more than two inches from the main trunk.
During the summer, you will need to trim it back again to keep it in its desired shape. Remove any growth that is not needed and make sure to leave buds that will produce flowers.
You can also wire the branches during this time to help maintain the shape of the tree. Make sure to use soft copper wire and be careful not to break the branches.
Diseases and Pests that Attack the Crepe Myrtle Bonsai
When trees are stressed, they can’t fight back against insects and disease as well. The three most pestiferous insects that pose a threat to crepe myrtles are crepe myrtle aphids, Japanese beetles and prim rose flea bugs.
Crepe Myrtle is typically not affected by insects. If you have a healthy tree, then these bugs will only eat the leaves. Their larvae are pests and with enough of them can destroy your whole tree!
To get rid of pesky insects that are destroying your crepe myrtle, you can spray it with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. These are safe for the environment and will kill the pests without harming your tree.
There are also diseases that attack crepe myrtles, but they are not very common. The two most common diseases are leaf spot and powdery mildew. These diseases can be treated with a fungicide. If you think your tree has one of these diseases, take it to a professional to determine the best course of action.
A leaf spot is a circular, brown or black spot on the leaf. It is caused by a fungus and can be treated with a fungicide.
Powdery mildew is a white powder that covers the leaves of the plant. It is also caused by a fungus and can be treated with a fungicide.
In order to keep your crepe myrtle healthy and pest-free, you should practice good sanitation. Remove any dead leaves or branches and dispose of them properly. Prune the tree to remove any weak or diseased branches. Water the tree deeply, but don’t over water it. And lastly, fertilize the tree in the spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer.
By following these simple care tips, you can keep your crepe myrtle healthy and looking beautiful!
Conclusion
Now you know the basics of Crepe Myrtle Bonsai Care! By following these simple care tips, your crepe myrtle bonsai will look and stay healthy for years to come. You can also use some advanced techniques like air layering and wiring in order to get a truly unique tree.
If you follow all of these guidelines, your crepe myrtle bonsai will be the envy of all your friends and family!
Other posts:
How to Revive A Dead Bonsai? | Helpful Tips & Signs
