Is Lagerstroemia indica evergreen or deciduous?
An article to share with you whether Lagerstroemia indica is evergreen or deciduous and some planting tips for growing this plant, the following is an introduction for you.
Cultivation of Lagerstroemia indica
"The flowers of Lagerstroemia indica bloom for a hundred days, and the whole tree trembles when the branches are gently touched." These two lines of poetry summarize the habits of Lagerstroemia indica. It has a long blooming period, from summer to autumn, and the flowers never stop, hence the name "Hundred Days Red." The poet Bai Juyi left behind two fine lines: "Silk fishing line pavilion, quiet essays, bell and drum tower, long time, sitting alone at dusk, who is the companion, Lagerstroemia indica facing the gentleman of Lagerstroemia."
In fact, the rare charm of Lagerstroemia indica does not lie in its flowers, but in its trunk. As the trunk grows, the outer bark peels off completely, revealing a smooth, gray trunk that is quite eye-catching. Although it produces new bark every year, it peels off on its own every year. The trunk is bright and clean after the bark peels off, with small branches slightly diamond-shaped, having narrow wings, old trees are twisted and gnarled, simple and elegant, especially interesting when planted at home.
Lagerstroemia indica comes in white, pink, purple-pink, and purple-red varieties, all with large inflorescences. The paniculate inflorescences are borne at the tips of new branches, with the whole tree covered in flowers as beautiful as clouds. Its fruit is similar to soybeans, containing many seeds, maturing in November.
Lagerstroemia belongs to the Lythraceae family and is a deciduous tree or small shrub, found in areas south of Jilin, China, and now widely planted around the world.
Lagerstroemia indica is adaptable, able to grow in various soils, drought-resistant but flood-sensitive, sun-loving, and suitable for urban ornamental planting. It can be watered appropriately during dry seasons, and some organic fertilizer can be applied before germination. After the leaves fall in autumn, river mud without impurities can be applied at the roots to promote growth and flowering the following year.
It possesses the four basic conditions for a potted flower or bonsai tree species: fine leaves, dense branches, exposed roots, and beautiful trunk. Additionally, the branches are soft and easy to twist, and after midsummer, they can be trained and pruned to create various bonsais.
The best method of propagation for Lagerstroemia indica is by seeds, which can yield a large number of seedlings. The method is to soak the seeds in 50°C water for one day before planting, and the planting date can be chosen in spring or autumn. First, prepare a seedbed, then plant the seeds. After the seedlings emerge, care must be taken to shade and water them during dry and sunny weather. Seedlings sown in spring, with proper care, can grow into strong seedlings over 1 meter tall within a year and may even bloom the same year. In the northern regions, seedlings need to be protected from the cold during winter. If the branched twigs are tied together for several years, they can grow into a uniquely shaped trunk tree, which can be placed indoors for display.
The above is a detailed explanation of whether Lagerstroemia indica is evergreen or deciduous and some planting tips, for your reference and suggestions!