Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) - Where to go from here?

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

This is a crape myrtle (CM) I picked up at local nursery a little while back:


I love the bark and nebari looks good, I thought...

After consulting w/ the GREAT @Stickroot , I decided to heed his advice and chop it back...keeping only the small trunk untouched, thinking I might make it a clump or mother/daughter look.


Here it is budding after about 7 days.


Here it is today, only about 3 weeks removed from the initial cut back.

My question is where to go from here. I see people talk about wiring CM, but I was wondering if it would be better/OK to treat it more like a Chinese Elm and use the clip and grow technique. Have others with CM experience used clip/grow, or only wiring for shape?

Also, I'm thinking of a re-pot, possibly into a colander in the spring...wonder if other Nutters had some suggestions on the timing of the re-pot.

I had a crape last year and beat it up mercilessly...it now swims w/ the fishes. Hoping to take better care of this one!

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I think those cuts are in good places. I would've waited to next spring to do root work and the chopping in the same period. I don't think it's a problem though. For now, I'd let the branches lignify little by little before you get some branches wired and bent. Be patient and watchful as branches that have hardened too much cannot be bent well or simply break. Work them too early and you could end up with just what you had right after the chops. If you're up for it, get some cuttings started for root grafts and maybe some branch grafts next year or the year afterwards.

I made chops with no root work to a crape myrtle this spring, it grew so vigorously. I waited for the right moment to wire as I knocked off unwanted buds. When not home my wife decided to wire it while it was too tender. She was left with just the trunk. LOL. It was her crape myrtle anyways. No matter the tree is alive and well again as it budded again a whole lot like nothing happened. Big difference from my tree and yours though is the timing.

 

[JudyB]

I would def. suggest wiring as opposed to clip and grow only. I sort of use a combination approach to mine, but the growth is always straight as an arrow, so you have to get in there and wire to get good movement. As far as repot, make sure you can protect from late frosts well if you have to repot before they are over.

 

[johng]

Use clip and grow to develop ramification but then wire...it's only got to make you happy but there is no substitute for wiring in my estimation.

 

[TyroTinker]

...Work them too early and you could end up with just what you had right after the chops... ...When not home my wife decided to wire it while it was too tender. She was left with just the trunk...

Ok new guy research question:
Could you clarify what happens if you wire to early? I'm nowhere near needing to do anything to my crape myrtle (it's just a start) but I've never heard of wiring to early. Except maybe because you will need to cut the wire off quickly because the plant will outgrow it so fast. But what actually happens to the tree, in the case your talking about?

 

[BethF]

Ok new guy research question:
Could you clarify what happens if you wire to early? I'm nowhere near needing to do anything to my crape myrtle (it's just a start) but I've never heard of wiring to early. Except maybe because you will need to cut the wire off quickly because the plant will outgrow it so fast. But what actually happens to the tree, in the case your talking about?

The branch will pop right off the tree!

 

[TyroTinker]

!!!! No!!!!

 

[TyroTinker]

...It's to close to bed time for those scary stories (but thanks for the info)

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

I would def. suggest wiring as opposed to clip and grow only. I sort of use a combination approach to mine, but the growth is always straight as an arrow, so you have to get in there and wire to get good movement. As far as repot, make sure you can protect from late frosts well if you have to repot before they are over.

Thanks Judy!

Use clip and grow to develop ramification but then wire...it's only got to make you happy but there is no substitute for wiring in my estimation.

Appreciate your insight John. Your Myrtle's are inspirational!

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Ok new guy research question:
Could you clarify what happens if you wire to early? I'm nowhere near needing to do anything to my crape myrtle (it's just a start) but I've never heard of wiring to early. Except maybe because you will need to cut the wire off quickly because the plant will outgrow it so fast. But what actually happens to the tree, in the case your talking about?

If you wire to early, the branches are too tender. Much like the buds that pop up after you chop, they'll easily be knocked off.

 

[sorce]

combination approach

I was thinking about this today....
Influenced by RN talking about how Kimura is an excellent pruner....of course!

Understanding clip and grow is so very important to creating a good tree.

In fact.....if anyone doesn't use a "combination approach"...
They're not paying enough attention to detail.

I know @Anthony wasn't calling you...or anyone else arguing it there....a "boughtsaier".

That is to say....
I can't think of a tree in your possession you haven't made better. And in such short time.

No doubt this is a direct reflection of a "combination approach", with excellent attention to detail.

Some people show up good.
Some not.
Some get better.

But you @JudyB ....
Remain the best subject of study to understand....

What it takes to get properly better.
And how to put that better into better material.

I read your..."is wiring damaging" thread this morning.
And I've scanned a few more newb Juds threads in the past.

It is amazing!
Your ability to ask...decipher...learn....and apply, is second to none!

We can study trees and Bonsai all day long.

If one feels they are not getting anywhere, and they need to study the human side of progress...
You are the human to study.

Thanks Judy!

Sorce

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

A little wire...a few clips. Coming along I think.

 

[just.wing.it]

Proper clip and grow techniques do create movement and taper in the benches....it is a slow process though...and I agree with John that wiring is irreplaceable.
I would also say that wiring is not necessarily necessary....
I really like clip and grow for my crape myrtle and plan to do only that, but if a need for wiring presents itself, I'd do it.
I really like wiring up my yews and junipers!

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Blooming..

 

[Anthony]

We have an old one here 1986, was a shrub for sale in
Florence, Italy.
Nothing, but grow and clip.

To do Lingan effectively, the plant must always be healthy.
Please keep posting.
Very interesting.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

We have an old one here 1986, was a shrub for sale in
Florence, Italy.
Nothing, but grow and clip.

To do Lingan effectively, the plant must always be healthy.
Please keep posting.
Very interesting.
Good Day
Anthony

Can you post a pic?

 

[Anthony]

It will be about a week, so I will put an@ with your name.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Before:


After:



I think I’ve decided on a front for this tree. I like the triple trunk, but I’m not happy with the position of the smallest trunk. I think this front makes the best use of the triple trunk.

Long way to go in this tree and I’m not real sure I’m best equipped to manage it, but I think it’s making progress.

What do you think?

 

[Anthony]

@Gdy2000 ,

here you, I didn't know it had been pruned by my brother-in-law.
Good Day
Anthony

He has a friend as well, a fukien tea.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Fall Colors