Cultivation and maintenance techniques of Lagerstroemia indica

Lagerstroemia indica is a common ornamental plant that brings great beauty and ornamental value to people. Its beautiful flowers and elegant tree shape become the highlights of the garden landscape. Let’s talk about the cultivation and maintenance techniques of Lagerstroemia indica.

1. Understanding of growth habits

Lagerstroemia indica prefers a warm and humid climate, has poor cold resistance, and is suitable for growing in tropical and subtropical regions. It is not very demanding on soil, but grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. Lagerstroemia indica loves light, and sufficient sunlight can promote its growth and flowering.

2. Breeding Methods

1. Seed propagation

Seed collection: Collect seeds in time when the fruits of the large-flowered crape myrtle are ripe. The fruit is a capsule that will naturally crack when ripe, and the seeds can be taken out and dried.

Seed treatment: In order to increase the germination rate of seeds, the seeds can be treated with germination acceleration. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, then take out and drain the water, place them in moist gauze, and place them in a warm place for germination. After the seeds turn white, they can be sown.

Sowing time: Generally sowing is done in spring, when the temperature is suitable and conducive to seed germination.

Sowing method: Choose fertile, well-drained soil as the sowing bed, spread the seeds evenly on the soil surface, then cover with a thin layer of soil, compact it lightly, and water it thoroughly. Keep the soil moist and the seeds will generally germinate in about 15-20 days.

2. Cutting propagation

Cuttings selection: Choose healthy, disease- and insect-free semi-lignified branches of the current year as cuttings. The length of the cuttings is generally 10-15 cm, and 2-3 buds are retained.

Cuttings processing: Cut the lower end of the cuttings into an oblique end, and then soak them in a solution of inbuteneacetic acid rooting powder for 2-3 hours.

Cutting time: Cuttings are generally carried out in spring or autumn, when the temperature is suitable and conducive to rooting of the cuttings.

Cutting method: Choose loose, fertile, well-drained soil as the cutting medium, insert the cuttings into the medium to a depth of 1/3-1/2 of the length of the cuttings, and then water them thoroughly. Keep the substrate moist, and the cuttings will generally take root in about 20-30 days.

3. Division propagation

Division time: Division propagation is generally carried out in spring or autumn.

Division method: Dig the mother plant of Lagerstroemia indica out of the soil, and then divide it into several small plants, each of which should have a certain number of roots and branches. Plant the divided small plants separately in the prepared soil, water them thoroughly and keep the soil moist. Generally, the small plants will survive in about 10-15 days.

3. Cultivation and management

1. Soil selection

Crape myrtle grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. You can choose soil with a high humus content, such as leaf mold, peat soil, etc., and add an appropriate amount of river sand and perlite to improve the soil's air permeability and drainage.

2. Transplanting and planting

When the seedlings or cuttings grow to a certain height, they can be transplanted and planted. Choose the right time, usually in spring or autumn.

Before planting, the soil should be deeply plowed and fertilized to improve soil fertility. Then plant them according to a certain spacing between rows and plants, generally 2-3 meters between plants and 3-4 meters between rows.

When planting, pay attention to stretching the roots, then lightly cover with soil and water thoroughly.

3. Watering and fertilizing

Watering: Crape myrtle likes a humid environment, but cannot tolerate stagnant water. During the growing season, keep the soil moist but do not overwater. Generally, water the plants every 2-3 days in spring and autumn; in summer, the temperature is high and the evaporation is large, so water the plants once a day; in winter, the temperature is low and the growth is slow, so the watering frequency can be appropriately reduced.

Fertilization: Lagerstroemia indica has a greater demand for fertilizer and should be fertilized regularly during the growth period. Generally, in spring and autumn, apply organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer every 15-20 days; in summer and winter, the number of fertilization can be appropriately reduced. When applying fertilizer, be careful not to overdo it to avoid burning the roots.

4. Pruning and shaping

The large-flowered crape myrtle has a beautiful tree shape, and its ornamental value can be improved through pruning and shaping. Pruning is usually done in winter, and dead branches, diseased branches, weak branches and crossed branches are cut off to keep the crown ventilated and light-permeable.

During the growth period, appropriate pruning can also be carried out as needed, such as cutting off excessively long branches, adjusting the shape of the tree, etc.

4. Pest and disease control

1. Disease prevention and control

Powdery mildew: It mainly harms leaves and tender shoots. White powdery substance appears on the leaves in the early stage of the disease, and gradually turns grayish white in the later stage. Prevention and control methods: Increase ventilation and light transmission, and reduce humidity; in the early stage of the disease, spray 1500-2000 times diluted 25% triadimefon wettable powder , or 1000 times diluted 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder.

Anthracnose: It mainly harms leaves. Small brown spots appear on the leaves in the early stage of the disease, and gradually expand into round or irregular spots in the later stage. The center of the spots is grayish white and the edges are reddish brown. Prevention and control methods: Strengthen cultivation management to improve the disease resistance of plants; in the early stage of the disease, spray 800-1000 times diluted 75% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder or 800-1000 times diluted 50% carbendazim wettable powder.

2. Pest control

Aphids: They mainly harm tender shoots and leaves, sucking sap and causing the leaves to curl and deform. Prevention and control methods: Increase ventilation and light transmission, and reduce humidity; in the early stage of the disease, spray 5000-8000 times diluted 70% imidacloprid wettable powder, or 2000-3000 times diluted 50% cypermethrin wettable powder.

Scale insects: They mainly harm leaves and branches, sucking sap and causing leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Prevention and control methods: Strengthen cultivation management to improve the disease resistance of plants; in the early stage of the disease, spray 800 times of 10% imipenem or 1000-1500 times of 50% malathion emulsifiable concentrate.

That’s it