markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
No major scars on the base. One about 3/4 up the main trunk I’ve got to figure out.
Texas Shohin Crape Myrtle
- Thread starter markyscott
- Start date
No major scars on the base. One about 3/4 up the main trunk I’ve got to figure out.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Bright green spring foliage.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Strong growth this spring. Time to thin and redirect.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Removed interior leaves, selected shoots and wired.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
Nicely done! I know Crepe Myrtle green shoots can be challenging to wire up.
This is gonna be a great bonsai!
This is gonna be a great bonsai!
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
WI - when you wire them green and at the right stage they’re flexible and can be easily shaped without risk to the branch.
The
S
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
That's crazy growth for this time of year. My one potted one is just starting to move, but it spent the winter in the garage. My landscape crapes haven't shown any signs of life yet. But then, I'm not in TX.
Living in Houston has its blessing and curses. One blessing is the long growing season - fall starts in mid December, spring starts in early February.
S
Milly
Shohin
That bark is really pretty.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
The tree is strong and healthy. It ms grown very well this spring and Crape Myrtle growth will continue through the hot summer. Time to work it again.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Wire applied a few weeks back is starting to bite in. Most of it needs to be removed and the new growth needs to be wired. The whole thing needs to be cut back.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
I did get to see it has white flowers. Fragrant too.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Here’s the drill. I removed all the leaves on the extending shoots. I left alone all of the weak interior growth. For the extending shoots on branches I wanted to strengthen or on branches I wanted to thicken, I just removed the old leaves. I kept the new ones and did not remove the growing tips. This keeps the growth strong and allows light and air into the interior. The shoots I wanted to hold back, I defoliated completely and cut back the shoot.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Here’s the tree after work.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Two weeks after work.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
3 weeks after work. Strong and healthy.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Strong, healthy trees respond. For branch development, I like to let my tree grow out significantly and then cut back hard. Crape Myrtle’s (and many other deciduous broadleaf trees) trees respond with a flush of strong backbudding. Here’s the tree when I cutback on July 11th. I think it’s my third major one this year.
S
S
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Here’s the tree yesterday afternoon (July 18th).
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
Michael P
Omono
Given bark and flower color, I'm going to guess 'Natchez'.
