Crape Myrtle from Florida to Philly?

[_#1_]

Hi all. I got a Crape Myrtle stump from Florida earlier this year.
When I first got it in late Feb. I planted it in dirt for about 1 month but the tiny red buds didn't move at all.
Then I took out the stump and chop/sawed all the large roots off. Pretty much sawed it horizontally till bottom is flat. Almost no small roots left.
Then I planted in dirt in a calendar. I chose potting soil for its ability to hold moisture longer than bonsai mix.

Now it's the beginning of June and the buds are finally moving. Hopefully it's not the final release of energy before death!

My question is. Do I leave it expose to the 85+ degree sun all day? Since I read it loves and thrive in the heat.
Or do I give it shade? Since I pretty much chopped the root system flat and it's recovering.

It is currently under a small apple tree that's growing just okay... But the new growth extends far enough to shade the stump entirely.

 

[Stickroot]

Hi all. I got a Crape Myrtle stump from Florida earlier this year.
When I first got it in late Feb. I planted it in dirt for about 1 month but the tiny red buds didn't move at all.
Then I took out the stump and chop/sawed all the large roots off. Pretty much sawed it horizontally till bottom is flat. Almost no small roots left.
Then I planted in dirt in a calendar. I chose potting soil for its ability to hold moisture longer than bonsai mix.

Now it's the beginning of June and the buds are finally moving. Hopefully it's not the final release of energy before death!

My question is. Do I leave it expose to the 85+ degree sun all day? Since I read it loves and thrive in the heat.
Or do I give it shade? Since I pretty much chopped the root system flat and it's recovering.

It is currently under a small apple tree that's growing just okay... But the new growth extends far enough to shade the stump entirely.

Heat.
No light.
Well heavy shade.
Heat pad if need be.

 

[LanceMac10]

six-pack.
carton of smoothies.
sturdy fire.
Lawn chair if need be.

 

[vaibatron]

How long ago did you take it out of its first pot you put it in and cut the roots? Also how did you care for it when it came to you in the middle of winter from Florida?

The large myrtles I've hacked and done severe root pruning stay in the sun directly after repotting.

I won't skirt the issue, that tree does not look healthy and the fact that you haven't had a flush of growth is a bit underwhelming. However, this species is very tough... If I may suggest a regimen of rhizotonic (May get some stones thrown) and some sunshine. With a little luck you may have somethin to work with.

As a rule of thumb, for a climate like philly, you don't want to repot a tree in feb. You should wait till bud swell. I'm in virginia and the buds on myrtles didn't start moving till early April this year. That coupled with the fact that you repotted it again probably has this tree riding a thin line between life and death.

It's not all bad, there are buds so there is hope!

 

[_#1_]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yes I did read these trees loves the sun. But this lump of stump is on the brink so I wasn't sure leaving in full sun would hurt or help at the moment.

The stump arrived around the 3rd week of Feb bare rooted. Took 5 days to get to me (shipped Wed, arrived Mon).

It stayed in a pot for about 1 month before I decided to uproot and cut just about everything off (tap root was UUUGE). This was in late March/ early April.
I've read sometimes large roots may hinder grows since it takes up nutrient. Not sure if true though.

I think this tree was clinging to life since I first got it. The climate change must be quite drastic.

Yeah All this time I was hoping the buds move and now that it did, I hope it's not the growth before death.

I will leave it under the apple tree until fully leafed out.

 

[LanceMac10]

Good luck with it. You never know, trees can seem to have a "mind of their own" sometimes.....

 

[drew33998]

Crape myrtles can take a lot of root work. I suspect that if it came from Florida it is used to a lot more direct sunshine and higher Temps hence the late blooming. Said captain obvious.

 

[drew33998]

I dug this one this year. I pretty much bare rooted it and stuffed it into this pot. Full sunshine and the Moss stayed on only until I saw new shoots. It is still in full sun 95 degree heat. Watering twice a day now.

 

[rockm]

Microscopic---We have had an extremely cold spring in the Middle Atlantic states this year. the cold and wet probably haven't helped your crape.

I'd get it out into full sun at once and leave it there. Bottom heat is critical to get roots to move.

No.Va. is at the northern edge of crape myrtle's landscape viability. Although it's hardy to zone 6, it's slow and usually doesn't reach its full potential in colder climates. The crapes I see here in N. Va. can't compare in size or presence to the crapes I see along highway in Dallas. The species prefers hot, humid climates. Big landscape crapes around here are usually the last plants in yards to leaf out and don't flower until the hottest part of the summer (august).

I doubt yours in on the brink of death. It's just sluggish. Get it out in the sun...

 

[drew33998]

Microscopic---We have had an extremely cold spring in the Middle Atlantic states this year. the cold and wet probably haven't helped your crape.

I'd get it out into full sun at once and leave it there. Bottom heat is critical to get roots to move.

No.Va. is at the northern edge of crape myrtle's landscape viability. Although it's hardy to zone 6, it's slow and usually doesn't reach its full potential in colder climates. The crapes I see here in N. Va. can't compare in size or presence to the crapes I see along highway in Dallas. The species prefers hot, humid climates. Big landscape crapes around here are usually the last plants in yards to leaf out and don't flower until the hottest part of the summer (august).

I doubt yours in on the brink of death. It's just sluggish. Get it out in the sun...

That is also correct down here. They are the last tree to leaf out. Even later than the pecan tree, which most southerners like to say that when they leaf out spring is here for good. So I wouldn't worry at all.

 

[_#1_]

Thanks for the encouraging words guys.

I just started planting trees and such earlier this year. This whole thing is foreign to me lol. But have read a whole lot on this wonderful board.

I thought it would be a gamble to severe root prune when it's already shocked by the change in climate. But read these things can take a beating. Let's see if it's true.

I will stick it in the open then. Since it's soooo slow to open up. Gotta admit, kinda afraid to move to full sun since it has almost no viable roots left when I was done with it about 3 or 4 months ago.

 

[_#1_]

That's a great material to work with Drew!

Wanna trade? Lol

 

[_#1_]

That's kinda my hunch rockm. This spring has been really cold and damp. And I thought it might attribute to the slow growth.

Actually thought it might of died already.

 

[_#1_]

Ummm After 2 months, WTF is this? Tumors or something?

 

[Vin]

Broc Myrtle?? I've been playing around with CM's for 20 years and never seen that kind of mess before. You really pissed it off!

 

[_#1_]

Haha maybe some kind of disease or parasite? I son't even know.

But I do know I did pissed it off by chopping the middle part flat.

I'm thinking of keeping in my room (south windows) and try to keep temps same as in Florida this winter.

edit: scratched those big surface roots and still green. At least not dead yet.

 

[Vin]

If you keep it inside it will die for sure.

 

[aml1014]

It almost feels like I see leaf and flower buds, wierd, I have no clue!

Aaron

 

[Zach Smith]

Ummm After 2 months, WTF is this? Tumors or something?

This type of growth occurs sometimes in collected trees. I can't tell you what it is scientifically, but I do see it occasionally (on other species). Just leave the tree alone so it can recover. In time it'll start to push actual shoots. Leave those alone. The warty looking growth will eventually dry up and you can remove it then; leave it alone for now. Next year, you should see normal growth.

The potting soil is not helping things and was not really a good idea. It's never a good idea in bonsai culture. Crape myrtles are super rooters, meaning they root more vigorously than most species, but I suspect the potting soil retarded root growth. Crapes love heat and sun. For future reference, you can cover your soil surface with sphagnum moss to help with water retention.

Good luck!

Zach

 

[_#1_]

Thanks for the advice Zack. It was way late when I realize I should of used something like pumice or 8822 and cover the cut parts with sphagnum for moisture.
Will do; leave alone and keep watering.

I actually meant to move it in when temps get low. It can get below freezing for short periods here.

Should I supplement with rooting hormones or anything? Or just plain water?