key takeaways
- Prevent fertilizing and reduce the decline to help crepe marrtles in infection in winter infection.
- Fall is prime time to plant new crepes and presents existing existing people with mulch and insect control.
- Delay in pruning until winter prevents cold-sensitive regrowth and retains the natural shape of your tree.
While most gardeners Select a crepe mortal In summer, for its showy, for crust flowers, once they leave the leaves, the fall is put on a luxurious explosion of red, orange and yellow. Long, calm, relatively dry autumn is the best leaf performance.
For the best blooming in the coming summer, it is important to know what to do – and what to stop doing – to take the best care for your crepe mortal.
Stopping
Whether you have a dwarf crepe twel, a large shrub, or a tree form, should stop fertilization before the end of August.
By adding fertilizer to the fall, new development is encouraged which will be damaged by the upcoming temperature. By preventing fertilization, you can easily help the plant in winter dormity.
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Reduce irrigation
The temperature of cooler fall means that crepe marrts require less water, especially mature trees that are naturally dried tolerant. Autumn rainfall is usually sufficient until the crepe myrtle has just been planted or container-ugaya.
If there is a period of drought, add about two gallons of water trunk diameter per week.
Observe for pests and illness
If the leaves appear on a crepe mortal as they are covered with soot, you probably have a problem with aphids. These sap-sucking insects emit honeyds that coat the leaves and make them black. To control aphids, use a pesticide soap before leaving the leaves.
If Crepe Martal begins to leave the leaves during summer, it can be infected with a fungus. Sercospora leaf spotWhen new leaves appear to prevent the fungus from re -forming the tree in the spring, rub all the fallen leaves and dispose them in the garbage. Check the crepe martal in the spring for the leaf spot, and treat the problem with a fungicidal.
Add winter protection
Add a layer of about two to three inches deep organic manure or manure-based wet grass to maintain moisture and insulating roots in winter.
After removing the litter of the fallen branches and leaves, spread the wet evenly to the drip line of branches under the tree. Leave a difference of three to four inches between the wet layer and the trunk of the tree to prevent rot.
If you live in USDA zone 6 or less, your crepe puer may need to be preserved with burlap during the extreme cold period. If this container is grown, move it to a shelter site and wrap it well to prevent cold weather damage.
Avoid pruning by January
As a quick-growing tree, your crepe mertal may have increased its location in summer. Even if you are eager to bring it under control, Do not prun into the fallWait at least till January so that the tree is in full dormancy. Sorting in the fall may lead to a new increase which will be hit during the cold winter season.
When you are ready to proun, consider the beautiful shape of the exposed tree organs; Avoid “Crepe Murder” that meets the cut of a crew – you will have a nabbi trunk with many, small, spindly branches that will not support the head of large flowers.
