pruning crape myrtle?

Question

i have had a crape myrtle for two years now and it has never bloomed. Does anyone know what to do or is it not fertile or something else....please help

Answer 1

Crepe Myrtles need to be fertilized with Nitrogen twice a year. The first application of fertilizer should be done before the new foilage begins to appear in the Spring. The second application of Nitrogen should be done in the fall. Crepe Myrtles don't require that much fertilizer but you should apply one pound of actual Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of root area with each application.

I'd advise using a balanced granular fertilzer....such as a 10-10-10. Since Crepe Myrtles don't get too large, you probably only need to apply about 1/2 lb. - 1 lb. per tree. This should be distributed as evenly as possible under the "drip-line" of the tree. (drip-line means the area under the canopy of the tree)

As for pruning....this should be done in the fall or winter only to remove any dead wood.

Hopefully, this should solve your problem about making them bloom. Good luck!

-Certified Professional Crop Consultant with over 30 years of experience and a Degree in Plant Science.

Answer 2

There are several sites that come up if you search (crepe myrtle pruning) A couple of things they say is the blooms are on new growth and to cut the suckers off. One thing that has amazed me, our neighbor has one in her yard and her dogs chew hers down every year and so far it has come back with an abundance of blooms every year... Check out the following sites: http://www.crapemyrtles.net/pruning_crape_myrtle.htm &
http://www.plantpatents.net/pruning.htm ...Goog Luck...

Answer 3

You really need to trim it back and fertilize with Cow Manure Compost, and then water it well. Unless it is diseased it should produce some of the prettiest flowers you have ever seen this summer.

Answer 4

Cut it back and remove all branches that are smaller than a pencil. I really hack the heck out of mine. My opinion is you can't cut them back too far.