What are the cultivation methods and precautions of crape myrtle?

How to grow crape myrtle

Crape myrtle is a plant of the Lythraceae family. It can be propagated by sowing, cuttings, layering, division and grafting. It can grow on calcareous soil or acidic soil, and is usually suitable for growing on fertile and moist soil.

During the cultivation process of crape myrtle, the soil factors should be ensured to be loose, fertile, and well-drained. It should be kept in the sun and watered in time to keep the soil moist. The number of waterings should be increased in summer. Reasonable fertilization is required during the vigorous growth seasons in spring and summer, and fertilization should be reduced in autumn and stopped during the winter dormancy period.

Watering method

Crape myrtle cannot lack water during its growth process. It needs to be watered in time to keep the soil moist. The temperature in summer is relatively high and the water evaporates quickly, so the frequency of watering can be appropriately increased.

Fertilization method

In early March, apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium mixed fertilizer to the crape myrtle to help it sprout. In May and June, apply phosphorus and potassium mixed fertilizer instead, which can promote the plant to bloom better and strengthen the flower branches. During the flowering period, you can apply some cake fertilizer water to make the flowers of the plant more colorful.

Pruning methods

After the crape myrtle blooms, the withered flowers need to be removed in time, and the branches need to be pruned to remove crossed branches, parallel branches, and diseased and insect-infested branches to reduce nutrient consumption and help the plant resume growth as soon as possible.

Precautions for cultivating crape myrtle

Potted crape myrtle needs to be repotted regularly, about once every 2-3 years. Generally, a mixture of loose mountain soil, garden soil and fine river sand can be used as the growing soil. Organic fertilizer can be used as the base fertilizer, but care should be taken to avoid direct contact between the roots and the fertilizer, otherwise it will burn and damage the roots, endangering the normal growth of the plant.