when to fertilize crepe myrtles in louisiana

We recommend fertilizing crape myrtle trees in the late winter or early spring – mid-March to mid-April is ideal. You can use a slow-release fertilizer or you may select 8-8-8, 13-13-13 or similar balanced fertilizer formulations. Watch new foliage in spring for aphid infestations.

1. When should crepe myrtles be fertilized?
2. How much fertilizer do crepe myrtles need?
3. What do you feed crepe myrtle trees?
4. What month do you prune crepe myrtles?
5. What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
6. Can I use Miracle Grow on crepe myrtles?
7. Can you use Epsom salt on crepe myrtles?
8. Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?
9. Why are my crepe myrtle leaves turning orange?
10. Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?
11. Should I deadhead crape myrtle?
12. How can I make my crepe myrtle bloom better?
13. How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?
14. Is crepe myrtle too late to trim April?
15. Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and tree?
16. Can you cut crepe myrtles below the knot?
17. How do you know when a crepe myrtle is dying?
18. Do hummingbirds like crepe myrtles?
19. Where should I plant my crepe myrtle?
20. Can I sprinkle Epsom salt around plants?
21. What plants benefit from Epsom salts?
22. How often do you use Epsom salt on ferns?

When should crepe myrtles be fertilized?

To maximize spring growth and summer bloom, gardeners should fertilize their crape myrtles in early spring just prior to new growth. Fertilizers like 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 will work fine and are ideal for crape myrtles but you shouldn't go over board.

How much fertilizer do crepe myrtles need?

If using an 8-8-8- or 10-10-10 fertilizer, use one pound of fertilizer for every 100 square feet of the planting bed for small shrubs and dwarf varieties. For large crape myrtle trees and shrubs, increase the amount of fertilizer and use a pound of fertilizer per inch of the tree's diameter.

What do you feed crepe myrtle trees?

Use 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8, or 16-4-8 fertilizer. A granular product works well for crape myrtle. Take care not to overfertilize. Too much food for crape myrtles makes them grow more foliage and less flowers.

What month do you prune crepe myrtles?

Early spring before new growth is the best time to prune crape myrtles. Whenever you prune, you cause the tree to generate new growth. New growth that starts now will not have time to harden off before frost.

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.

Can I use Miracle Grow on crepe myrtles?

The easiest to use and most well known fertilizer is Miracle Gro. However, if you have many Crape Myrtles you wish to fertilize, using Miracle Gro can become expensive. ... When choosing a fertilizer for your Crape Myrtles, keep in mind that they are heavy feeders and are more prosperous when fed often.

Can you use Epsom salt on crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtles bloom with a dose of Epsom Salts. Two: In order for your Crape Myrtle to bloom you may want to try this cocktail (for the Crape Myrtles, not you) Mixone tablespoon of Epsom Salts into one gallon of water and pour around the roots of the plant. Repeat for the others, using one gallon per plant.

Why is my crepe myrtle not blooming?

If there are no flowers on crepe myrtle, it could be that the tree was pruned late in the season, causing the new wood to be mistakenly removed, which causes the buds for the flowers to never really develop. Never prune a crepe myrtle before it blooms. ... Crepe myrtle bloom time is just after the other flowering trees.

Why are my crepe myrtle leaves turning orange?

Answer: This is a fungal disease called Cercospora leaf spot. You will see dark spots on the leaves, then the leaves turn yellow, orange or red -- depending on the cultivar of crape myrtle -- and fall off.

Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?

If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. ... The seed heads from last year can remain on the plant all year, and you will still get good blooming in the current year.

Should I deadhead crape myrtle?

Many varieties of crape myrtles can be encouraged to bloom a second time, but timing is important. Deadheading crape myrtles (removing dead or dying flowers) encourages new sprouts and blooms, but if you deadhead too late in the season, the tender new growth that is produced can be damaged by cold weather.

How can I make my crepe myrtle bloom better?

Crape myrtles need to have new growth each spring in order to produce summer flowers. These flowers come on current-season growth, so late winter/early spring fertilization can aid crape myrtle flowering in the summer. It is not too late to fertilize this year if you haven't yet.

How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?

Cut off suckers from the bottom, rubbing and cross growing branches and branches growing inward. Gradually cut off all side branches from the main base as the tree gets taller. Never leave lone or clustered stubs. Be sure to remove unwanted branches before they get too thick (thickness of a pencil).

Is crepe myrtle too late to trim April?

While we consider late winter to be the ideal time to prune crape myrtles, now (early spring) is also OK for pruning them. ... Pruning as late as May will likely cause some delay in bloom time, and pruning later than May may delay bloom noticeably but will not harm the tree.

Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and tree?

What's the difference between a crape myrtle tree and a crape myrtle bush? The only difference is the mature size. ... The best way to identify a specific variety or species of crepe myrtle is to note all its characteristics, including mature size, flower color, fall color, growth habit (tree or shrub) and bark color.

Can you cut crepe myrtles below the knot?

Cutting crepe myrtle knots doesn't resolve the problem. If you cut below the knot, a new knot forms in its place. The tree never reverts to its naturally beautiful shape, but through proper pruning of a crepe myrtle tree, you may be able to make the knots less noticeable.

How do you know when a crepe myrtle is dying?

Using Scratch Test to determine a Dead Crape Myrtle

Scratch the lower base of the stem and if it's green it is still alive. If it's not, it may still be alive, but you'll have to wait awhile before you know for sure. A really cold winter may have of killed the top growth, but the roots may still be alive.

Do hummingbirds like crepe myrtles?

Hummingbirds like to feed from flowering shrubs that include azaleas, rhododendron, crape myrtle, weigela, rose of Sharon and butterfly bush. ... Add a feeder filled with fresh sugar water and a birdbath that sprays water for the perfect hummingbird environment.

Where should I plant my crepe myrtle?

Decide where in your garden the crape myrtle should go. They need full sun and good air circulation. It will grow in most soil as long as there is good drainage. Choose a variety that won't outgrow its space or need to be constantly pruned.

Can I sprinkle Epsom salt around plants?

Epsom salts are pH neutral and gentle on plants, including potted houseplants. To boost nutrient intake, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salts with one gallon of water and spray onto leaves, rather than onto the roots, for maximum absorption.

What plants benefit from Epsom salts?

Epsom salts are known to be beneficial to some plants in some situations. Primarily, roses, tomatoes, and peppers are the key plants that can take advantage of the magnesium levels contained in Epsom salts. However, there are some situations in which Epsom salts should not be used. These are as follows.

How often do you use Epsom salt on ferns?

You can mix 2 tablespoons into 1 gallon of water and spray it onto your fern once a month. Do this when your ferns are actively growing, and when the ferns are more dormant, reduce the ratio to 1 tablespoon per gallon.