When does the crape myrtle bloom, and how should it be planted?
Crape myrtle is also called "Mantanghong" (Full Hall Red) because of its long flowering period and its very distinctive, noble and elegant blooms, which represent intellectual women. It has high ornamental value and is loved by people. So how exactly is the beautiful crape myrtle planted? Let's take a look together below at its specific planting methods.
When does the crape myrtle bloom
The crape myrtle's flowering period is extremely long, lasting from June all the way to September, which is why it has the alternative name “Hundred-Day Red”.
How to plant crape myrtle
1. Soil: Crape myrtle has strong adaptability to its environment, and ordinary potting soil is suitable. If conditions allow, deep, fertile sandy soil can be chosen for cultivation.
2. Watering: Crape myrtle is drought-tolerant and dislikes waterlogging. You can water once before bud break each spring to revive it, and water once after leaf fall in autumn as a freezing-watering, while at other times remember “don't water if it isn't dry”. During spring drought, water 1-3 times; during the rainy season, drainage work must be done well to avoid root rot caused by water accumulation; in autumn, watering is generally not needed.
3. Light: Crape myrtle needs ample light to grow, otherwise it will produce few or even no flowers during the flowering period, and in more serious cases the whole plant's growth will weaken.
4. Temperature: Once grown, the crape myrtle plant is highly cold-resistant, but cold protection and insulation work for seedlings must be done well.
After the plant has been cultivated for more than three years, insulation can be stopped.
5. Fertilizing: Similar in timing to watering, fertilize once before bud break in spring and once after leaf fall in autumn. Human feces and urine or sesame paste residue can be applied, which can promote more vigorous plant growth the following year and more abundant and vivid flowering during the flowering period.
Factors affecting crape myrtle flowering
1. Indoor room temperature too high in winter
Too high a room temperature affects the plant's normal dormancy, causing physiological activity to continue vigorously and consume nutrients, leading to premature sprouting and leafing out. The following year, due to the weakening of the plant during its normal growth period, there will be few or no flowers.
2. High soil salinity and alkalinity
The most suitable soil for crape myrtle growth is slightly acidic to neutral soil. When planted in soil with a salinity-alkalinity content exceeding 0.1% and a pH above 7.5, the plant's normal growth and flowering will be affected.
3. Unsuitable light and temperature
The crape myrtle's place of origin is mainly a high-temperature climate, so during care you must pay attention to maintaining a temperature suitable for the plant's normal growth, otherwise its normal physiological activity will be affected, resulting in no flowering.
4. Excessive or insufficient water and fertilizer
During the crape myrtle's growth period, if water and fertilizer are applied excessively, it easily causes leggy growth of branches and leaves. Most of the nutrients originally supplied to the flower buds and flower buds are consumed by organs such as roots, stems and leaves, leading to a lack of nutrients needed by the flower buds during the flowering period, resulting in few or no flowers. If water and fertilizer supply is insufficient during the flowering period, it will inhibit the plant's normal growth and likewise easily cause few or no flowers.
Crape myrtle pruning methods
After sprouting in spring, when new shoots grow to 10 cm, pinch the tips once, leaving only 2-3 buds at the base. Soon 2-3 branches will grow. When the branches grow 6-7 leaves, pinch the tips again. This can control the tree shape and encourage more branches and more flowers. Although the flower inflorescences will become smaller and the leaves that grow will also become smaller, the ornamental value can be improved.
Crape myrtle flowering is one of its major features. Temperature, light, water and fertilizer all affect its flowering, so we must pay special attention to these aspects. In addition, if you want the crape myrtle to grow better, you might as well prune its branches, which is more conducive to its flowering. To be able to see beautiful flowers, the effort is all worth it.