Crape Myrtle from Florida to Philly?

[Zach Smith]

I'd just feed as usual and water. As for winter protection, a cold frame should work. This tree is a bit weaker than you'd like, so if it were mine I heel it in and mulch over in my cold frame. Or go with the unheated garage. They're pretty hardy.

 

[_#1_]

You don't think it'll get shock from freezing temps coming from S. Florida?

I'm afraid it being so weak whatever little roots it have might get frost damage.

But I can definitely bury, mulch and cold frame.

 

[Zach Smith]

Crapes root so vigorously that I don't think you'll have too much to worry about. You may want to carefully poke around in the root zone late next month to gauge how they're doing. Once the tree starts pushing shoots that should indicate things are well down below. I think your main thing in regard to the freezing issue is to get the tree heeled in before your first significant freeze event. I'd venture to say the vegetative growth won't cycle through the fall color phase but rather will remain green and relatively tender. Heel into an open cold frame before the first hard freeze (leave the frame open). That freeze may take out the foliage, but if it's healthy beforehand indicating good root growth the tree should come through winter. Once the foliage is done for you can close up the cold frame.

 

[drew33998]

You definitely need to get a good amount of foliage going or the tree may die this winter. Put it on your freaking roof if you need to get it more sun.

 

[cbroad]

I have two potted crape myrtles that have been doing that same thing since spring, one has just started pushing out normal growth and the other one has a normal branch and a stunted one. I got them free from work (I work at a nursery) and I thought someone sprayed them with herbicide. Not sure what the cause is but it could have been chemical or diseased.

Our crape myrtles in VA sometime don't leaf out until mid to late May so don't expect yours to leaf out at least until then for your area.

 

[_#1_]

Crapes root so vigorously that I don't think you'll have too much to worry about. You may want to carefully poke around in the root zone late next month to gauge how they're doing. Once the tree starts pushing shoots that should indicate things are well down below. I think your main thing in regard to the freezing issue is to get the tree heeled in before your first significant freeze event. I'd venture to say the vegetative growth won't cycle through the fall color phase but rather will remain green and relatively tender. Heel into an open cold frame before the first hard freeze (leave the frame open). That freeze may take out the foliage, but if it's healthy beforehand indicating good root growth the tree should come through winter. Once the foliage is done for you can close up the cold frame.

Thanks for the suggestion Zach. I'm gonna build a big enough cold frame for this stump along with my 6.5' paperbark maple. Mulch it and hope for the best.

Lol drew. I left it on my south facing front porch roof. Right outside my bedroom window. It gets the hottest of hot sun all day. But when it got over 100, I put a small table over it. Was noticing some sun burn, flaky barks on the surface root.

Did not even snoop to see if it has any viable roots under there. Too afraid to disturb anything. I'll probly do that early winter.

Just started to add a bit of fish emulsion in the water.

 

[sorce]

I see that growth on trees around fences that lived through herbicide sprays.

Sorce

 

[LanceMac10]

Sorry, I had to!!

Really weird, man! Crazy looking!

 

[drew33998]

How is this one doing?

 

[_#1_]

5 weeks later...

The top is still chicken broccoli lol. Some of the bottom ones are trying to be brave.

None of these are going to survive the winter i don't think. But hope it'll be alive next spring!

 

[Stickroot]

5 weeks later...

The top is still chicken broccoli lol. Some of the bottom ones are trying to be brave.

None of these are going to survive the winter i don't think. But hope it'll be alive next spring!

That thing is witches brooming. You should name it "chicken broccoli" and copy right and make lots of cuttings.

 

[Stickroot]

5 weeks later...

The top is still chicken broccoli lol. Some of the bottom ones are trying to be brave.

None of these are going to survive the winter i don't think. But hope it'll be alive next spring!

If you want it to stop doing that, water with this every 3rd or 4th watering.

 

[_#1_]

Witches brooming......?

Lol if it survives, I will name it Chicken Broccolli!

What should I water it with every 3rd-4th watering?

 

[Stickroot]

Witches brooming......?

Lol if it survives, I will name it Chicken Broyhill I!

What should I water it with every 3rd-4th watering?

Oops, this.sorry, I'm so sleepy.
Witches broom is caused from stress from mites, fungus, bacteria, bug, disease and all that yuck. This Bayer is AWESOME stuff and safe and easy to use.

 

[_#1_]

Thanks a bunch stickroot!

Wished I knew this 5 weeks ago

This is what happens when you're new to planting stuff.

 

[Stickroot]

Thanks a bunch stickroot!

Wished I knew this 5 weeks ago

Yes, but it will be ok. Keep using the Bayer even if you don't have any issues. Use it to spray all over and around your trees and plants. Happy and healthy!
I even spray it up in the trees in my yard close to the house.

 

[drew33998]

That's the weirdest looking shit. I've never seen it before.

 

[_#1_]

Hey! Got these pics and never updated. Chicken Broccoli is a live!
May 22. Late start again. But happy buds are popping.


July 9. Chicken Broccoli finally wants to grow up a bit!



And this is last week. Growing more everyday. Leaves look yellowy but it's actually more green then that. A bit more iron maybe?



It's gonna get better soil next year for sure cause what it's in now is a brick. This thing is ugly as sin but it's starting to grow on me

 

[sorce]

ugly

I would start removing patches of that shitty short growth.

Little at a time so you don't have gaping holes.

Probly starting with that which is closest to good growing branches.

If you figure how much resources are going into that .....
But all bunched up and interior, it's giving you no return!

Sorce

 

[just.wing.it]

Wierd dude....