steve27
Mame
what kind of soil do you use?
Crape Myrtle Crazy
- Thread starter VAFisher
- Start date
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Thanks Judy. I was actually talking about the Y in the upper middle part of the tree. My eye always gets drawn to that spot and I've been considering removing one of those branches. I also think all of the branches need to be shortened - so maybe that will make it less noticeable. Staring at the picture of the tree now it seems to say shrub more than tree.
VAFisher
Masterpiece
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Oh yeah. That one has to go. 
VAFisher
Masterpiece
This started out just throwing up a quick pic but I guess I will use this as my crape myrtle progression thread.
Here are a couple Pokomokes that I chopped way down last month. They're growing strongly again. I think the one in the glazed pot is going to be nice after I select and wire some branches.
Another Pokomoke that I'm trying to make a low, wide broom out of.
Here is one that I just picked up from the discount pile at the nursery for $8. I need to put some movement into the low branch/second trunk.
With this one, I'm trying to make a tree that resembles the standard crape myrtle form that you always see in the landscape. Something like this:
Here are a couple Pokomokes that I chopped way down last month. They're growing strongly again. I think the one in the glazed pot is going to be nice after I select and wire some branches.
Another Pokomoke that I'm trying to make a low, wide broom out of.
Here is one that I just picked up from the discount pile at the nursery for $8. I need to put some movement into the low branch/second trunk.
With this one, I'm trying to make a tree that resembles the standard crape myrtle form that you always see in the landscape. Something like this:
VAFisher
Masterpiece
I've been patiently waiting on this one to come into full bloom and it's getting close now. It bloomed late (I guess because of the constant pruning). I couldn't help snapping a quick phone pic of it this morning sitting between my clump and the elm that came from Zach. I'll take a better one when it's finally all the way there.
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Here a couple of updates and a couple trees that I haven't posted on this thread yet. The trees are growing well but a few of them are magnets for aphids. I've been blasting them with the hose to try to keep things in check.
My slingshot is looking a little better.
I've done some pruning and started a new trunk on the clump. I think it looks better.
This one got hit pretty hard last winter but is coming along I think. Still working on filling in that hole.
Here are 2 $8 specials from the local nursery. I got these about a month ago - chopped the tops and the roots and stuck them in pots.
And a couple shots of flowers just cuz I think they're purty.
My slingshot is looking a little better.
I've done some pruning and started a new trunk on the clump. I think it looks better.
This one got hit pretty hard last winter but is coming along I think. Still working on filling in that hole.
Here are 2 $8 specials from the local nursery. I got these about a month ago - chopped the tops and the roots and stuck them in pots.
And a couple shots of flowers just cuz I think they're purty.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
I like the ones that are starting to show the bark coloration. That's my favorite part of CM's. Blooms are nice and tight to the plant too, mine get so far outside of the shape, it doesn't look so good flowering.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
They're all looking pretty good.
The forest can go left in the pot.
I still like it.
And the traditional yard one will be excellent too!
Good stuff!
Sorce
The forest can go left in the pot.
I still like it.
And the traditional yard one will be excellent too!
Good stuff!
Sorce
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Good feel, natural for sure. Working on one myself, collected from the same area in MS where I dug my pyracantha.
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Thanks everyone. Judy, mine have really big cone shaped flowers too that were far out from the shape of the tree. I just pruned off most of the flower buds and kept the ones closest in. Sorce, when I first potted that clump, there was another set of trunks on the left that died, so now it's too far to the right in the pot, I agree. It keeps sending up new shoots so I'm working on replacing those trunks, but if not, I'll move it over next year. Thanks Brian, I'll be looking forward to seeing yours. If it's anything like the rest of your stuff it will give me some inspiration.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I did catch that part.
I think it would look good still, just all leany! Maybe one more tree!
Sorce
Bunjeh
Chumono
You have some really good crapes here. I was curious. I have one that I recently brought home. When I lived in the Southern U.S. I remember everyone would cut the trees way back in the winter to produce more bloom. Obviously that does not develop ramification. What is your secret?
We call that Crape Murder here!!! Don't do it! Its fine to do a drastic cutback but you certainly don't need one every fall!
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
It's nowhere close yet, but has a decent story. One day...
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure how good they are but they are fun to work with. I don't have any kind of secret - except listening to what johng said in a thread last year.
http://bonsainut.com/index.php?threads/pokomoke-crape-myrtle-group-planting.15914/
I also think the dwarf pokomoke variety just naturally grows pretty dense especially with some judicious pruning as johng says.
Bunjeh
Chumono
Thanks. I have your basic $3.95 box store version. I'll follo you on this.
Txhorticulture
Chumono
Can I jump in on this one? I bought this last year fro, regular nursery chopped it and let it grow in a bigger pot for a year. It's got a neat trunk. 
Txhorticulture
Chumono
BTW, mine is going in my blue pot this spring.
VAFisher
Masterpiece
Cool trunk. What are your plans for it? Besides the blue pot.
