How to fertilize a crape myrtle bonsai? These tips you need to master

  After autumn, the crape myrtle should be given a somewhat stronger organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer, but in general, crape myrtle trunks should not be given heavy fertilizer, to prevent the branches from growing excessively.

  When fertilizing crape myrtle, attention should be paid to the combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. During the growing season, apply a decomposed fertilizer once every half month.

  After each pruning, apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer once; 0.3% urea solution can be added to the fertilizer liquid to promote the germination of new buds and the growth of new branches, and afterward apply a fertilizer mainly of phosphorus and potassium to promptly provide the nutrients needed for flowering.

  Fertilizing should preferably be done in the evening, with a watering the next morning. Do not fertilize on rainy days or when the potting soil is wet.

  For fertilizing a crape myrtle bonsai, mainly apply sufficient base fertilizer in winter; during the growing season, about once a week, apply a cake liquid fertilizer and other phosphorus- and potassium-free chemical fertilizers; before and after budding, a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be used for foliar spraying to promote flower bud differentiation and the swelling of flower buds.

  After each flowering, sufficient base fertilizer must be applied. Especially for a crape myrtle bonsai that has already taken shape, when it blooms 2-3 times in the same year, it is essential to combine pruning and shaping with applying sufficient base fertilizer; otherwise, there will be branches but no flowers, or the flowers will be sparse and the flower color dull, failing to achieve the best ornamental effect.