How to care for a Crape Myrtle potted plant
This article provides an introduction to the care techniques for Crape Myrtle potted plants and Bonsai, as well as detailed information on green plants and flowers. Let's share the details below.
Crape Myrtle is a deciduous small tree in the Lythraceae family, with several names including "Hundred-Day Red" and "Itchy-Itchy Tree." It has smooth, brownish-yellow bark and elliptical or obovate leaves. The flowers are usually purple, red, pink, white, or blue, and bloom continuously from June to October in the summer, adding vibrant colors to the hot weather. In fact, Crape Myrtle is not at all delicate and is an easy-to-care-for flower that can be planted in the ground or grown into a beautiful potted plant. Growing one Crape Myrtle on a terrace or balcony allows for enjoying its flowers in the summer and leaves in the autumn, with an attractive and easy-to-care-for shape.
How to plant Crape Myrtle in a pot
How to propagate Crape Myrtle
Actually, there are two common propagation methods: the first is to sow seeds, and the second is to cut branches for direct propagation by cutting. After the seeds mature, they are picked, dried, and the seeds collected inside are ready to be sown in the spring. For branch cutting, it can be done in the spring by cutting sections of one or two-year-old branches, each about 15 centimeters long, and then inserting them into sandy soil or during the rainy season, with a very high survival rate.
How to care for Crape Myrtle
It is a very robust flowering plant that is not afraid of heat or direct sunlight, continuing to bloom even in the hot summer without going dormant during the hot season. Its leaves are also beautiful in autumn and winter, becoming more colorful. It prefers plenty of sunlight, so it should be placed in a well-lit area all year round. It is heat-resistant and does not require shade in the summer, while it is also cold-resistant in winter. The potting soil should be fertile, moist, and well-draining.
How to prune Crape Myrtle to maintain an attractive shape
Whether it is a Crape Myrtle grown in the ground or in a pot, once it reaches a certain height, pruning and topping are necessary. After topping, it will grow more lateral branches from the main stem, resulting in more flowers. The main stem should be kept at a height of 50 centimeters, with the top branches pruned.
How to care for a Crape Myrtle potted plant
Since the flowering branches of Crape Myrtle are on the current year's new branches, it is essential to prune regularly, especially to remove old branches that have no flowering ability. The pruning time can be chosen in winter, with each branch kept to a length of five centimeters. This way, you can enjoy its beautiful flowers in the summer and autumn seasons, with a profusion of blooms.
Also, after the flowering period each autumn, it is necessary to fertilize once with organic fertilizer or other fertilizers. During high temperatures and dry weather, it is important to water promptly to replenish moisture, which will encourage it to produce more and brighter flowers in the next flowering period.
The above introduction to how to care for Crape Myrtle potted plants and the techniques for maintaining Crape Myrtle Bonsai is hoped to provide green plant enthusiasts with some knowledge of flowers.