How to Water Crape Myrtle Flowers? How Often to Water and Growing Methods

The flowers of the crape myrtle are very delicate and lovely, and the flowering period is also long, so it is sought after by many flower lovers, who place crape myrtle potted plants in their homes one after another. But growing flowers is not something that can be done easily just by talking about it; rather, you will face all kinds of problems, for example, watering too little will make the plant dry up, while watering too much can easily cause root rot. Water is the source of all things. What watering techniques are there for crape myrtle?

How to Water Crape Myrtle (How Often to Water)

Generally speaking, a plant's watering is determined by its own growth condition. Ordinary herbaceous plants need more water, while woody plants need less water. Once the dormant period of the crape myrtle begins, watering should be reduced as much as possible at this time, or simply stopped.

In the rapid growth period, the amount of water should be increased accordingly to ensure the water it needs, generally once a day. When summer arrives, with hot and dry temperatures, we should increase the amount of watering to ensure the moisture needed for crape myrtle growth. On rainy days, the amount of watering can be reduced and does not need to be too frequent, generally once every 2-3 days.

Growing Methods for Crape Myrtle

1. Soil

Crape myrtle has strong environmental adaptability, and ordinary culture soil can be used. If conditions permit, deep and fertile sandy soil can be chosen for cultivation, which is most beneficial to the growth of crape myrtle.

2. Watering

Crape myrtle is drought-resistant and averse to waterlogging. Before it sprouts in spring each year, water once with green-returning water, and after leaf fall in autumn, water once with freezing water. At other times, pay attention to "do not water if not 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, generally no watering is needed.

3. Light

Crape myrtle growth requires sufficient light; otherwise, the flowering period will have few or even no flowers, and more seriously, the entire plant's growth will weaken.

4. Temperature

Once grown, the crape myrtle plant has strong cold resistance, but cold protection and insulation work for seedlings must be done well. After cultivation reaches more than three years old, insulation can be stopped.

5. Fertilizing

Similar to the timing of watering, fertilize once before sprouting 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.

What Propagation Methods Are There for Crape Myrtle

1. Grafting propagation

Time: Late February to early March each year, that is, before the crape myrtle branches sprout.

Method: First make a vertical cut about 5-8 cm deep on the outer part of the top of the rootstock, then take a scion about 5-8 cm long with 2 buds retained and cut it into a wedge shape, then align the cambium and insert it into the split opening of the rootstock; then wrap the entire branch and scion well with plastic film, leaving only the bud head exposed. This method can be used to graft branches of different colors in layers onto one rootstock to form "one tree with multiple colors".

2. Hardwood cuttings

Time: Generally choose between mid-to-late March and early April, that is, before the branches sprout.

Method: Use robust one-year-old branches, trim them to about 15 cm long, then insert them into a loose sandy loam seedbed with good drainage. After completion, water thoroughly, and cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist. After the seedlings grow to about 15-20 cm, remove the film and switch to a shade net for care, and water appropriately. In the same year, branches about 60-80 cm long can be obtained.

3. Softwood cuttings

Time: Conduct between July and August, that is, during the vigorous growth period of new branches.

Method: Select semi-lignified branches, trim them to a length of 8-10 cm, and keep 2-3 leaves at the upper end. The cutting depth is about 3-4 cm. Then water thoroughly and provide appropriate shading. Usually roots can form after about 20 days, and appropriate shading and moderate watering should still be carried out.

4. Layering propagation

Time: It can be effectively carried out throughout the growing period, and the best time is March-April in spring.

Method: Select robust 1-2 year old branches, use a small knife to peel about 1.5 cm of bark from the branch, with the depth preferably reaching the exposed xylem, and apply diluted rooting powder liquid about 3 cm above the wound. After the powder liquid dries, put a cylindrical plastic bag over the cut wound, fill it with loose garden soil, tie both ends of the bag after watering, and check after one month. Pay attention to keeping the soil in the bag moist. After roots grow, it can be cut off for planting.

Precautions for Crape Myrtle Care

1. Watering: Watering in all four seasons should follow the principle of "do not water if not dry, and water thoroughly when watering". The specific amount of watering should be determined by the actual moisture of the potting soil. If the potting soil leaks water, replenish soil in time to increase the density of the potting soil.

2. Cuttings: Always select one-year-old, thick and robust branches from vigorous mother plants, trim them into branches about 10-15 cm long, and the cutting depth is preferably about 8-10 cm.

3. Flowering period: Remove the spent flowers after the flowering period to encourage new growth of the plant, so that the next round of flower branches can grow as soon as possible, thereby extending the flowering period. At the same time, promptly prune leggy branches, diseased branches, stacked branches and crossing branches to prevent excessive consumption of nutrients.

4. Fertilizing: For potted crape myrtle, apply base fertilizer. Topdressing can be done before new branches sprout or between May and June. Apply less in autumn and do not apply in winter. In addition, fertilization is also unsuitable during high-temperature weather and rainy weather in summer. At other times, fertilization should follow the principle of "apply thin fertilizer frequently".

5. Soil replacement: Potted crape myrtle should preferably have its potting soil replaced once every 2-3 years.

The growing methods for crape myrtle are not very difficult, so once you are familiar with its growth habits and master certain cultivation techniques, you might as well try growing a pot at home. The flowering period of crape myrtle is very long and it has very good decorative value, which can keep your home full of color for a long time.